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Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer

What Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer is & what it does

A film former that gives long-lasting hold and helps fix pigments and filters on the skin. It improves water resistance and staying power.

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

Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer is a film former. It dries down into a thin, flexible film on the skin that helps hold the UV filters and pigments in place. In sunscreen that means longer-lasting wear, better water and sweat resistance, and a more even layer, which is why it shows up in sport and spray formulas.

Is Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer safe?

Yes. It is a synthetic film-forming polymer used widely in sunscreens and cosmetics, and it works on the surface of the skin rather than penetrating it. It is well tolerated and is not a common irritant. As with most polymers, it is used at low levels to build the film and then stays put.

Does Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer clog pores?

Generally no. It is a lightweight film-forming polymer, not a heavy oil or wax, and it is not flagged as comedogenic. If a sunscreen is breaking you out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the cause.

What is Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer is the INCI name printed on the label. It is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (the VP part) and hexadecene, joined to make a water-resistant film. It usually sits in the middle of the ingredient list, near the other texture and hold ingredients.

Is Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer natural?

No, it is synthetic. It is a man-made copolymer built from two monomers in a lab, so it does not occur in nature. That is normal for a film former, where the goal is reliable, water-resistant hold rather than a plant origin.

Sunscreens with Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer

We rate 270 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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