Polyacrylamide ●
TL;DR. This ingredient primarily functions as a synthetic thickener and rheology modifier, helping build gel texture, stabilize emulsions, and suspend particles. It can also add a light film-forming feel in skin care and hair care formulas.
What does Polyacrylamide do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient primarily functions as a synthetic thickener and rheology modifier, helping build gel texture, stabilize emulsions, and suspend particles. It can also add a light film-forming feel in skin care and hair care formulas.
Is Polyacrylamide clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is a synthetic polymer and may carry concern around tightly controlled residual monomer impurities. It is allowed in conventional cosmetics under regulatory limits, but it is often restricted or not accepted by stricter clean standards.
Is Polyacrylamide sustainable?
This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not readily biodegradable. Its persistence profile makes it a weaker fit for brands prioritizing low-impact, biodegradable formulation systems.
Is Polyacrylamide COSMOS-approved?
It is not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a synthetic petrochemical polymer outside the accepted ingredient framework. From a Green Chemistry lens, it scores poorly on renewable sourcing and biodegradability, even though it can deliver texture efficiently at low use levels.
How does Polyacrylamide work chemically?
The molecule is a high-molecular-weight, water-compatible polymer built from repeating amide-bearing vinyl units, giving it strong viscosity-building and film-forming behavior. It is commonly used at low percentages through supplier blends or dispersions, and formulators monitor residual monomer limits, electrolyte tolerance, and compatibility with surfactants or emulsifier systems.
Last updated 2026-05-13