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Acrylates Copolymer

What Acrylates Copolymer is & what it does

A film-forming polymer that thickens formulas and leaves a smooth, long-wearing film, improving water resistance and staying power. It also helps hold pigments and filters in place.

What is Acrylates Copolymer and what does it do in sunscreen?

Acrylates Copolymer is a film-forming polymer that thickens a formula and leaves a smooth, long-wearing film on the skin. In a sunscreen that film improves water resistance and helps the product stay put through sweat and humidity. It also helps hold pigments and UV filters evenly in place, which supports more reliable protection.

Is Acrylates Copolymer safe?

Yes. It is a large polymer that sits on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed, and it is widely used and well tolerated in cosmetics. It is non-irritating for most people and is a common, dependable ingredient in long-wear and water-resistant sunscreens.

Does Acrylates Copolymer clog pores?

Generally no. Acrylates Copolymer is a film-former and thickener rather than a heavy oil or wax, and it is considered non-comedogenic. Some people who prefer very breathable textures may notice film-formers feel slightly occlusive, but it is not a classic pore-clogging ingredient.

Is Acrylates Copolymer a thickener or a film-former?

It does both. Acrylates Copolymer thickens the formula to give it body, and once applied it dries into a smooth, flexible film. That film is what boosts water resistance and staying power, so the two roles work together in a sunscreen.

Is Acrylates Copolymer natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. Acrylates Copolymer is a lab-made polymer built from acrylate monomers, engineered for film-forming and thickening, and it is not found in nature. Synthetic here simply describes how it is made, not a safety issue.

Sunscreens with Acrylates Copolymer

We rate 283 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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