Carbomer

The Basics On Carbomer

What is Carbomer?

Group of thickening agents used primarily to create gel-like formulations.

What are other names for Carbomer?

CARBOMER, CARBOMER 934, CARBOMER 934 P, CARBOMER 941, CARBOPOL 910, and CARBOXYVINYLPOLYMER

What is Carbomer used for?

arbomer is a term used for a series of polymers primarily derived from acrylic acid monomers. They are large molecules used to thicken and stabilize skincare formulations. The Carbomers consist of white, fluffy powders that differ according to the size of the polymer chains. The larger the chains, the denser the effect they have on the formulation outcome. They also act as emulsifiers in formulations and help keep emulsions from separating into their oil and liquid components. Carbomers are often used to control the consistency, texture, and flow of cosmetics and personal care products. Carbomers can be found in a wide variety of product types including skin, hair, nail, and makeup products, lotions and creams.

How Carbomer is classified

Texture Enhancer

Recommendations for using Carbomer during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Carbomer During Pregnancy

What we know about using Carbomer while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

From the Original Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymers1 Reproductive effects were not observed in a study in which rats were dosed orally with 4500- or 90,000-Da molecular weight (MW) Sodium Polyacrylate. In this study, groups of 30 gravid rats were dosed with up to 3000 mg/kg/day of the low MW test article in distilled water on days 6-15 of gestation, and the animals were killed on day 19 of gestation. Groups of 28-29 gravid rats were dosed with up to 1125 mg/kg/day of the high MW test article in distilled water; 8 animals/group were dosed on days 6-13 of gestation and killed on day 13, and the remaining animals in each high MW-test article group were dosed on days 6-15 of gestation, and killed on day 10 of gestation. Oral Acrylates Copolymer Two studies were conducted in which an Acrylates Copolymer (as a fully polymerized copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate) dispersion was sprayed onto powdered diet at a ratio of 1:10, and the coated diet was mixed with basal diet for testing.15 In the first study, groups of 20 mated female Wistar rats were fed 0, 500, or 2000 mg dry copolymer/ kg bw/day on days 6 through 15 of gestation, and the gravid rats were killed on day 19 of gestation. In the second study, groups of 10 mated female New Zealand White rabbits were given the same dosages on days 6 to 18 of gestation, and killed on day 29 of gestation. There were no signs of maternal toxicity in rats or rabbits, and there were no reproductive or developmental effects observed for either species. The NOAELs for dams and fetuses were 2000 mg/kg bw/day in both rats and rabbits.

General safety info about Carbomer from CIR

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel assessed the safety of 126 acrylates copolymers; 56 of these ingredients were previously reviewed by the Panel, and 70 are reviewed herein for the first time. Many of these ingredients are reported to have several functions in cosmetics, with the function of film former being the most commonly reported cosmetic function for members of this family; many of the ingredients also may function in cosmetics as viscosity increasing agents. The Panel reviewed relevant new data, including frequency and concentration of use, and considered the data from previous CIR reports. The Panel concluded the 126 acrylates copolymers named in this report are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in the safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Carbomer

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