The ingredient, explained

Sodium Polyacrylate

A multicentre patch-test audit examined reactions to exact sodium polyacrylate.

EmollientAbsorbentBindingEmulsion stabilisingFilm formingHair fixingSkin conditioningViscosity controlling

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Absorbent: Takes up dispersed or dissolved material, including water or oils.
Binding: Helps the components of a product hold together.
Emulsion stabilising: Helps keep an emulsion from separating.
Film forming: Leaves a continuous layer on skin, hair or nails after application.
Hair fixing: Helps hold hair in a chosen style.
Skin conditioning: A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
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

Human safety research

Among 1302 patch-tested patients, sodium polyacrylate produced one positive, one doubtful and four irritant reactions; clinical relevance was unknown.

What this does not tell us

Selected dermatitis population and tested concentration only; rare reactions do not prove universal tolerance or cosmetic efficacy.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 39187930 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 1 selected study

Human safety research · n=1302
Sensitisation to the acrylate co-polymers glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer, sodium polyacrylate and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-polymer (Carbopol®) is rare. ↗
Contact dermatitis · 2024

Follow the formula

Products containing this ingredient

All 196 products ↗

From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.

SkinCeuticals

Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

Moisturisers · 33 linked ingredients

Inside the formula

Names and identifiers

Registry identity