Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic thickener and gel-forming polymer that builds viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, and helps suspend pigments or particles in water-based formulas. It is often used to create clear gels and smooth, cushiony textures without a traditional gum feel.
What does Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic thickener and gel-forming polymer that builds viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, and helps suspend pigments or particles in water-based formulas. It is often used to create clear gels and smooth, cushiony textures without a traditional gum feel.
Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally low-irritation and not a common allergen, but it has friction because it is a synthetic polymer. Stricter standards may flag it for residual monomer controls and its classification as a persistent polymeric material.
Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer sustainable?
This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not readily biodegradable. Its main sustainability concern is environmental persistence rather than acute skin tolerance.
Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a synthetic crosslinked polymer outside the allowed ingredient framework. Its fit with Green Chemistry is limited, since it relies on nonrenewable feedstocks and has poor biodegradability despite being effective at low use levels.
How does Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer work chemically?
The molecule is a high-molecular-weight, crosslinked anionic copolymer that hydrates in water to form a three-dimensional network, increasing viscosity and yield value. It is commonly used around 0.2% to 2% and performs best in aqueous systems with moderate electrolyte levels, where excessive salts or very low pH can reduce thickening efficiency.
Last updated 2026-05-13