Carbomer

Rating: GOOD

Categories: Texture Enhancer, Polymer, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer

 

Carbomer at a Glance

• Often used to create gel-textured formulas.

• May influence a product’s consistency in other ways by having a thickening/viscosity-controlling effect.

• Can increase skin permeation and retention of key active ingredients.

• Utilized in all kinds of beauty products including facial moisturizers, body lotions, hair care and makeup.

• The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed carbomer and reaffirmed its safety.

Carbomer Description

Carbomers are a group of synthetic skin care ingredients used primarily to create gel-like formulations. They can also influence a product’s texture in other ways by having a thickening/viscosity-controlling effect.

Studies have shown that carbomer gel formulations can increase skin permeation and retention of key active ingredients.

Carbomers are utilized in a wide range of beauty products beyond skin care, including hair care and makeup items.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel recently re-reviewed carbomer’s safety and reaffirmed that concentrations up to 15% are safe as used in personal care products. As a raw material, carbomers come in the form of light, fluffy, white powders. Note: High amounts of carbomers in a gel may result in the product rolling or balling up of cosmetic products on skin, but this phenomenon depends on other formulary steps taken to minimize this effect.