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Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

What Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is & what it does

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a synthetic polymer that thickens water-based formulas and stabilizes emulsions. It lets a sunscreen build into a smooth gel or lotion and helps keep the other ingredients evenly suspended. The result is a lightweight, non-greasy texture that spreads easily and feels stable on the skin.

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

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a thickener and texture stabilizer. It turns a thin liquid into a smooth gel or lotion and helps hold the oil and water phases together so the formula stays even. In a sunscreen its job is feel and stability, giving a light, non-greasy texture rather than affecting the UV protection itself.

Is Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate safe?

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

Does Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-loving polymer used to build texture, not an oil or wax, so it is not considered a pore-clogging ingredient. It is actually common in lightweight, gel-type sunscreens that suit oily skin. If a product breaks you out, the heavier emollients in it are the more likely cause.

Is Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate natural or synthetic?

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

What else is Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate called?

On a label it appears under its INCI name, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate. It is part of a family of taurate thickeners and is closely related to ingredients you may see written with the AMPS prefix. It usually sits in the middle of an ingredient list where the texturizers are grouped.

Sunscreens with Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

We rate 117 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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