Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Good

Suspending/dispersing agent

No known benefits

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer at a glance

  • Versatile polymer widely used in skin care and makeup
  • Aids texture and helps stabilise formulas
  • Often used to create aesthetically pleasing transformative textures
  • Helps disperse skin-beneficial ingredients such as UV filters

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer description

Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer is a synthetic polymer that has many uses in cosmetics: it primarily functions as a stabiliser, texture enhancer, dispersing agent, and opacifier. It is often combined with ingredients such as isohexadecane, various polysorbates, and a blend of dimethicone- or siloxane-based silicones. These combinations give a cosmetics chemist several options to create appealing aesthetics. The copolymer plays a role in how fast a product “breaks” on skin (meaning how quickly its initial texture changes once applied). For this reason, it’s often used in products with transformative, gel-cream textures. Another helpful aspect of this copolymer is that it can be used within a wide pH range without its efficacy or stability changing. The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review has deemed this ingredient safe as used in cosmetics. Concentration maximums include 4.3% in rinse-off products and up to 3.6% in leave-on products, including eyeliners and eyeshadows. Cosmetic brands typically use less than those maximum amounts since the safety assessment of this ingredient capped its usage at 3% in leave-on products.

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer references

  • Polymer, Volume 212, January 2021, ePublication
  • Cosmetics, August 2019, pages 1–13
  • http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/ACTAPY122015rep.pdf

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.