Carbomer
INCI: Pemulen (alkyl modified versions)
Also known as: Pemulen (alkyl modified versions)
A synthetic acrylate-based water thickener
EWG Safety Score
What Is Carbomer?
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.\n\nStudies have shown that carbomer gel formulations can increase skin permeation and retention of key active ingredients.\n\nCarbomer helps with emulsion and product stability, and the alkyl modified versions (i.e. Pemulen) can function as emulsifiers by themselves.\n\nCarbomers are utilized in a wide range of beauty products beyond skin care, including makeup and hair care items, where they function as suspending agents for materials such as capsules and solid materials, and help in maintaining product viscosity at elevated temperature.\n\nThe 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.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, January 2019 pages 1-42 The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, 2019
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Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, February 2016, ePublication Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2016
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Pharmacognosy Magazine, October-December 2013, pages S6-S10 Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2013
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Handbook of Cosmetic Science & Technology, 2013, pages 17-18 Handbook of Cosmetic Science & Technology, 2013
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International Journal of Toxicology, January 2003, pages 6-11 International Journal of Toxicology, 2003
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