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Vp/Eicosene Copolymer

What Vp/Eicosene Copolymer is & what it does

An oil-soluble film former that boosts water resistance and helps keep pigments and filters evenly in place. It improves the staying power of sunscreens.

What is Vp/Eicosene Copolymer and what does it do in sunscreen?

Vp/Eicosene Copolymer is an oil-soluble film former. In a sunscreen it boosts water resistance and helps keep UV filters and any pigments spread evenly and held in place on the skin. The result is better staying power, so the protection lasts longer through sweat and water.

Is Vp/Eicosene Copolymer safe?

Yes. It is a film-forming polymer that works on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed, and it is a well-established ingredient in water-resistant sunscreens and color cosmetics. It is considered well tolerated at the levels used.

Does Vp/Eicosene Copolymer clog pores?

Generally no. It is not flagged as comedogenic in our data. It does form a light film on the skin, which is the point for water resistance, but it is used in small amounts and is not one of the classic pore-clogging ingredients.

Is Vp/Eicosene Copolymer a UV filter?

No. It does not absorb or block UV light itself. Its job is to hold the actual UV filters in an even, water-resistant film so they stay put and keep working. The protection comes from the filters; this copolymer just makes them last.

Is Vp/Eicosene Copolymer natural or synthetic?

It is synthetic. It is a lab-made copolymer, built specifically to form a flexible, water-resistant film. That synthetic origin is exactly what lets it improve a sunscreen's wear and water resistance.

Sunscreens with Vp/Eicosene Copolymer

We rate 420 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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