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Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

What Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is & what it does

A pre-neutralized thickener that rapidly builds smooth, stable gels with a soft feel. It works well with actives and across many pH levels.

What is Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a thickener and gel-forming polymer. It comes pre-neutralized, so it quickly builds smooth, stable gels and creams with a soft, light feel. In a sunscreen it gives the product its body and texture and helps keep the formula evenly suspended.

Is Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate safe?

Yes, it is considered safe for use in skincare. It is a large thickening polymer that stays on the skin's surface rather than being absorbed, and it is non-reactive and well tolerated. It is valued partly because it works across a wide pH range and plays nicely with active ingredients.

Does Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate clog pores?

Generally no. It is not flagged as comedogenic in our data. As a water-based gelling polymer it is not an oil or wax, so it is an unlikely cause of clogged pores. If a product feels heavy, the emollients and oils elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the reason.

Is Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate a thickener or an emulsifier?

Mainly a thickener and gelling agent, though it also has light stabilizing ability. Its primary job is to build the gel or cream texture and keep the formula smooth and stable. It can help hold small amounts of oil in place, but it is not a full emulsifier on its own.

What else is Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate called?

On a label it appears by its full INCI name, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate. It is a synthetic gelling polymer and is sometimes grouped with similar polyacrylate-type thickeners. You will usually find it among the texture ingredients rather than near the active filters.

Sunscreens with Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

We rate 136 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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