Ca
Carbomer
Carbomer · Carbomer 940
Synthetic gelling polymer. Workhorse thickener in clear gels and lightweight serums.
What it does
Carbomer is a synthetic acrylic-acid-based polymer that thickens water-based formulations into clear gels. It's the structural backbone behind a huge fraction of clear toners, essences, and gel moisturizers — when you see a transparent gel that holds its shape, carbomer is usually doing the work. Generally non-irritating; the few reported reactions usually trace to the manufacturing solvent residual rather than the polymer itself.
Also known as
acrylic acid polymer
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