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Sodium Acrylates Copolymer

What Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is & what it does

A thickener and stabilizer that builds light gels and helps suspend ingredients evenly. It gives a smooth, non-greasy feel.

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

Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a thickener and stabilizer. It builds light gels and helps suspend the other ingredients evenly so they do not separate. In a sunscreen its role is texture and stability, giving a smooth, non-greasy feel rather than adding to the UV protection.

Is Sodium Acrylates Copolymer safe?

Yes. It is a large polymer that stays on the skin surface rather than absorbing, and it is widely used in gels and lotions with a solid tolerance record. It is non-reactive for most people. There are no notable safety concerns at the levels used in cosmetics.

Does Sodium Acrylates Copolymer clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-loving gelling polymer rather than an oil or wax, so it is not considered a pore-clogging ingredient. It is common in lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreens that suit oily skin. If a product breaks you out, the richer emollients in it are the more likely cause.

Is Sodium Acrylates Copolymer natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. It is a lab-made copolymer designed to thicken and stabilize water-based formulas, and it does not occur in nature. It contains no animal-derived material, so it is also suitable for vegan formulas.

What else is Sodium Acrylates Copolymer called?

On a label it appears under its INCI name, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer. It belongs to the acrylates family of gelling agents, which you may see written with names like carbomer or acrylates crosspolymer for related ingredients. It usually sits in the middle of an ingredient list with the other texturizers.

Sunscreens with Sodium Acrylates Copolymer

We rate 119 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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