Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer is a synthetic polymer — a chain of molecules linked together — used primarily as a formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. It is created through chemical synthesis and does not occur naturally.

In skincare products, this ingredient serves two main functions: it helps stabilise emulsions (keeping oil and water components from separating) and controls viscosity, affecting how thick or lightweight a product feels. It is present in a relatively small proportion of skincare formulations, typically at low concentrations.

This polymer works by forming a protective network around oil and water droplets in an emulsion, preventing them from coalescing and separating. It achieves this through its molecular structure, which has both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) regions that position themselves at the interface between oil and water phases.

Additionally, it increases the viscosity of the product by thickening the continuous phase, which slows down the movement of droplets and further stabilises the formulation. This allows formulators to create products with desired textures without relying solely on traditional thickening agents.

Because this is a formulation ingredient, there are no specific usage guidelines for consumers. Simply use the product containing it as directed. It works behind the scenes to maintain product quality and performance, so you do not need to adjust application or frequency based on its presence.