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Polyacrylate-13

What Polyacrylate-13 is & what it does

A liquid thickener and emulsion stabilizer that builds smooth, stable creams with a light feel. It tolerates electrolytes and a wide pH range.

What is Polyacrylate-13 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Polyacrylate-13 is a synthetic polymer that thickens and stabilizes a formula. In a sunscreen it helps build a smooth, even cream or fluid and keeps the oil and water phases from separating, so the product spreads evenly and stays stable on the shelf. It tolerates electrolytes and a wide pH range, which is useful in modern sunscreen bases.

Is Polyacrylate-13 safe?

Yes. It is a large synthetic polymer that stays on the surface of the skin and is not absorbed, which is part of why it is well tolerated. It is used at low levels purely to give a product its texture and stability, and it is non-irritating for most people.

Does Polyacrylate-13 clog pores?

Generally no. Polyacrylate-13 is a water-loving thickening polymer rather than a heavy oil or wax, so it is not a typical pore-clogging ingredient. If a sunscreen feels heavy or causes breakouts, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Polyacrylate-13 a thickener or an emulsifier?

It is mainly a thickener, but it does double duty as an emulsion stabilizer. That means it both adds body to a cream or lotion and helps hold the oil and water phases together, which is why formulators like it. It is not a UV filter and adds no sun protection of its own.

Is Polyacrylate-13 natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. Polyacrylate-13 is a man-made polymer engineered to thicken and stabilize a formula, and it does not occur in nature. Synthetic here just describes how it is made, not a safety problem.

Sunscreens with Polyacrylate-13

We rate 142 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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