Ac
Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer
A film former in sunscreens and makeup — dries to a water-resistant layer that resists transfer.
What it does
A synthetic polymer often used in sunscreens and makeup. As the product dries it forms a continuous, somewhat water-resistant layer that helps it stay in place and not rub off.
The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a film former (leaves a film on skin).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗
The evidence, graded
expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2022) judged 16 acrylamide/acrylate copolymers, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer among them, safe as used. They told makers to keep acrylamide, a raw material, under 5 ppm in finished products. Patch tests of this one on 25 people found no irritation or allergy. It’s used at up to 7% in mascaras. The data were too thin to judge it in airbrush makeup.Cherian 2022 · Cosmetic Ingredient Review ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
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