C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a polymeric thickener and rheology modifier. It helps build gel-like texture, stabilize emulsions, and support a smooth film on skin or hair.
What does C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a polymeric thickener and rheology modifier. It helps build gel-like texture, stabilize emulsions, and support a smooth film on skin or hair.
Is C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is usually well tolerated on skin because the molecule is large and not expected to penetrate deeply. The main friction is its synthetic polymer status, possible residual monomer specifications, and inclusion in some restricted-polymer or microplastic-focused standards.
Is C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer sustainable?
This material is synthetic and typically petrochemical-derived rather than renewable. It is not considered readily biodegradable, so its environmental profile is weaker than that of simpler biodegradable thickeners.
Is C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer COSMOS-approved?
It is not aligned with COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural standards because synthetic acrylic-style polymers are generally outside the permitted ingredient framework. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited by fossil feedstock reliance and poor biodegradability, even though it can be effective at low use levels.
How does C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer work chemically?
This material is a high-molecular-weight synthetic ester copolymer with long hydrophobic it side chains and polar hydroxyl-bearing units, which gives it associative thickening behavior in water and emulsions. Typical use is often around 0.1 to 2%, with hydration method, electrolyte load, and formulation pH influencing final viscosity and suspension performance.
Last updated 2026-05-13