Carbomer is a type of polymer.

In the cosmetic industry, carbomer is an ingredient called polyacrylic acid (PAA). Carbonates are synthetic high molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid used in cosmetics and skincare products as thickening agents. As a result of their addition to gel-like formulations, including facial moisturizers, sunscreens, shampoos, anti-aging products, cleansers, and scrubs, they help control the product’s thickness, flow, and consistency. Carbomer In Skin Care

Cosmetics have been made from carbomer polymers for over 50 years. Carbomers are large molecules prepared from acrylic acid and polyalkenyl polyether monomers. All Carbomer polymers have the same chemical composition, though they differ in molecular weight and viscosity. Dry carbomer polymers look like white, fluffy powders.

At concentrations of up to 50%, carbomer polymers can be found in a number of products including skin, hair, nail, and makeup products. There may be a number associated with the carbomer name on the ingredient. This is the carbomer code. The carbomer codes provide information about the molecular weight and composition of the polymer.

Carbomer polymers can have varying pH levels that must be neutralized in order to act as thickeners. There are sometimes neutralizing agents listed in formulations containing carbomer polymers. Some examples are triethanolamine (TEA), sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and tetrasodium EDTA. Sometimes companies purchase carbomers that have been pre-neutralized, but the neutralizing agent is not always listed.

Carbomers are safe to use on my skin?

In skin care formulations, carbomers are considered low-hazard ingredients that are safe to use on the skin1. Please refer to Reference 1.Carbomer. Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. Since carbo-mers grow when more C2 units are added, they are also referred to as carbon-molecules, where “n” refers to the number of acetylene or allene groups in the n-expansion unit. Developed by Rémi Chauvin in 1995, this concept introduces chemical properties to existing chemical motifs. Carbomer In Skin Care

Carbomer’s profile

Carbomers are crosslinked acrylic acid polymers that are used in a variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, household, industrial, and institutional care products, inks, adhesives, and coatings. More than 50 years ago, formulators across multiple industries relied on carbomers to build viscosity, form gels, stabilize emulsions, and suspend particles. As long as the carbomers are used correctly, they can improve the aesthetics of products while providing long-term shelf stability. It has long been known that carbomers are “a formulator’s best friend” because of their utility, reliability, and occasional ability to rescue doomed product launches by stabilizing poorly conceived formulas against separation. This column will explore the chemistry and properties of carbomers that have earned them this well-deserved reputation.

Inheritance

A carbomer is typically provided as a fluffy, white, hydroscopic powder with a slight acetic acid odor. Commercial carbomers differ primarily in the type of solvent used (benzene vs. non-benzene), the type and level of crosslinker additives, and the optional additions to improve wettability and dispersibility.12 Carbomers may also be supplied preneutralized, e.g., as a sodium salt (INCI: Sodium Carbomer). At the concentrations used in cosmetics and personal care products, carbomers exhibit little or no irritation potential.13–14 Impurities in these polymers include residual polymerization solvents, unreacted monomers (e.g., acrylic acid), acetic acid, proprionic acid, polymerization initiator by-products and trace heavy metals.