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Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

What Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is & what it does

A thickener that gives a fresh, light, gel-cream texture with a silky, fast-absorbing finish. It stabilizes formulas without heaviness.

What is Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a synthetic thickener and texture agent. In a sunscreen it builds a fresh, light gel-cream texture with a silky, fast-absorbing finish, and it helps stabilize the formula without making it feel heavy. It is what gives many modern fluids that weightless, quickly-disappearing feel on the skin.

Is Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 safe?

Yes. It is a large polymer that stays on the surface of the skin and is not absorbed, which is part of why this family of thickeners is considered well tolerated. It is used in small amounts purely to shape the texture of the product, and it has a good safety profile in cosmetics.

Does Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 clog pores?

Generally no. It is not flagged as comedogenic in our data, and as a film-forming thickener rather than an oil or wax it is an unlikely cause of clogged pores. If a product is breaking you out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the reason.

Is Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. It is a lab-made acrylate polymer, designed specifically to thicken and stabilize while keeping a light, modern texture. Synthetic here just means it was engineered for that job, not that it is a concern.

What is Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is the INCI name as printed on the label. It is one of several numbered polyacrylate crosspolymers used as gelling and texturizing agents, and it typically appears in the lower half of the list with the other texture ingredients. There is no common consumer nickname; the INCI name is what you will see.

Sunscreens with Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

We rate 421 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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