Polyacrylic Acid

INCI: POLYACRYLIC ACID

CAS Number
9003-01-4
Function
Viscosity controlling (thickener/gelling agent); also known by trade names Carbomer 934/940
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ EU Status permitted
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ US Status permitted
US Notes CIR reviewed (2002) โ€” safe as used when formulated to avoid skin irritation

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
negligible
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Residual acrylic acid monomer must be below specification limits. Low pH in unneutralized aqueous solution requires neutralization for skin products. Polymer classified as non-hazardous per EC 1272/2008.

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Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

epa_safer_alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polyacrylic Acid safe in cosmetics?

Residual acrylic acid monomer must be below specification limits. Low pH in unneutralized aqueous solution requires neutralization for skin products. Polymer classified as non-hazardous per EC 1272/2008. The EU classifies Polyacrylic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Polyacrylic Acid allowed in the EU?

Polyacrylic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Polyacrylic Acid do in cosmetics?

Polyacrylic Acid functions as: Viscosity controlling (thickener/gelling agent); also known by trade names Carbomer 934/940. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9003-01-4.

What is the Margin of Safety for Polyacrylic Acid?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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