Sodium Carbomer

Sodium Carbomer is the sodium salt of crosslinked polyacrylic acid used as a rheology modifier. It's used to thicken water-based systems, stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, and suspend particles with predictable, pH-responsive viscosity.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A thickening agent that stabilizes gels and creams.
Category
Emulsifying
Type
Rheology Modifier

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It creates smooth, cushiony gels that spread evenly and feel stable on skin, helping keep formulas uniform so actives are distributed consistently during application.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's widely used in water-gel serums, lightweight moisturizers, and hair gels to build body and maintain a steady texture.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

It's considered low risk for irritation at typical levels and doesn't meaningfully penetrate skin. Minor dryness or tightness can occur if overused; no notable regulatory restrictions apply.

Is Sodium Carbomer a Good Ingredient?

It earns a Great rating as a well-established, inert polyacrylate thickener with strong formulation stability and low irritation potential, backed by extensive cosmetic use data for predictable, pH-responsive gelling.

Products with Sodium Carbomer

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