Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer

TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a dispersant, film-former, and viscosity-modifying aid, especially in water-based formulas. It helps keep particles evenly distributed and can improve texture and suspension stability.

What does Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is primarily used as a dispersant, film-former, and viscosity-modifying aid, especially in water-based formulas. It helps keep particles evenly distributed and can improve texture and suspension stability.

Is Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, it is usually low-sensitization at typical use levels, but it has friction because it is synthetic and can carry residual monomer specifications. Brands with strict synthetic-polymer policies may flag it even when the finished formula is well controlled.

Is Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer sustainable?

This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not considered readily biodegradable. It is water-soluble and not expected to bioaccumulate, but persistence in wastewater is the main environmental concern.

Is Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer COSMOS-approved?

It is generally not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a synthetic petrochemical material. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with useful low-dose performance but limited renewable sourcing and poor biodegradability.

How does Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer work chemically?

The molecule is an anionic, water-soluble, high-molecular-weight material built from carboxylate-bearing vinyl units, which gives it strong particle-dispersing and water-binding behavior. It is commonly used at low percentages, is most functional in neutral to alkaline water phases, and can be sensitive to high electrolyte loads that reduce thickening or suspension performance.

Last updated 2026-08-17