The ingredient, explained
Carbomer
A published expert assessment examines cosmetic-use safety.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Carbomer is a polymer used to give liquid formulas a gel-like consistency. It also has recorded roles in adjusting thickness and supporting emulsion stability.
About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗
- Emulsion stabilising
- Helps keep an emulsion from separating.
- Gel forming
- Gives a liquid a gel-like consistency.
- Viscosity controlling
- Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Safety assessment
The historical report found low irritation and sensitization potential for the tested carbomer grades under the reported conditions.
What this does not tell us
The report covers specified cross-linked acrylic-acid polymers, not every modern grade or residual-impurity profile. Conflicting publisher date metadata is left unresolved.
Sources for this summary. DOI 10.3109/10915818209013151 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of 1 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2‚2-bis-hydroxymethyl-propane-1‚3-diol 2-propenyl ether
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- CARBOMER
- CAS registry number
- 9007-20-9, 9003-01-4, 76050-42-5, 9062-04-8, 9007-16-3, 9007-17-4
- EC number
- - / - / - / - / - / -
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026
- European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗ · Recorded Sep 30, 2026