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Ammonium Polyacrylate

What Ammonium Polyacrylate is & what it does

Ammonium Polyacrylate is the ammonium salt of polyacrylic acid, a synthetic polymer. In cosmetic and sunscreen formulas it works as a thickener, gelling agent, and emulsion stabilizer, helping to control texture and keep ingredients evenly dispersed. A notable property is its ability to absorb water and form a smooth gel at low use levels.

Is Ammonium Polyacrylate safe in skincare?

Ammonium Polyacrylate is a synthetic polymer used as a thickener and stabilizer and is generally regarded as well tolerated at cosmetic use levels. It stays on the surface of the skin and is not designed to be absorbed. As with any ingredient, sensitive individuals may want to patch test a new product.

What does Ammonium Polyacrylate do in skincare?

Ammonium Polyacrylate works as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion stabilizing agent. It helps give a formula a smooth, consistent texture and keeps the oil and water phases from separating. It performs this role at low concentrations and does not provide an active skincare benefit itself.

Is Ammonium Polyacrylate natural or synthetic?

It is a synthetic ingredient, made by polymerizing acrylic acid and neutralizing it with ammonia. It is not found in nature in this form. The result is a consistent, well-characterized polymer used for texture control.

Sunscreens with Ammonium Polyacrylate

We rate 29 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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