Polyethylacrylate

What is Polyethylacrylate?

Polyethylacrylate is a synthetic acrylic polymer produced through the polymerization of ethyl acrylate monomers. Primarily featured in hair styling products, makeup, and some skincare formulations, it serves multiple functions to enhance product performance. As a film former, it deposits a thin, flexible layer on skin or hair, boosting water resistance, longevity, and smoothness in items like sunscreens, foundations, and hairsprays. In its binding capacity, it promotes cohesion among solid particles, strengthening pressed powders, tablets, or bars for better durability. Acting as a hair fixative, it helps maintain styles by reducing frizz and providing hold. Additionally, as a suspending agent, it stabilizes dispersions of pigments or actives, preventing settling and ensuring uniform application. Its inert nature makes it suitable for various textures without altering key sensory qualities.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 1 View on EWG →

PubChem View on PubChem →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Binder

Helps hold solid ingredients together to form cohesive tablets, compacts, or sticks, improving pressability, integrity, and wear of the finished product.

Film former

Creates a continuous film on skin or hair to improve wear, water resistance, transfer resistance, shine, or hold in sunscreens, makeup, and styling products.

Hair fixative

Provides style hold by forming a film on hair, helping maintain shape, reduce frizz, and improve durability in sprays, gels, and mousses.

Suspending agent

Keeps insoluble particles (pigments, beads, actives) evenly dispersed by increasing viscosity or forming a network, preventing settling and separation.

Binding

Provides cohesion by helping ingredients stick together, improving the strength and integrity of pressed powders, tablets, or solid bars.

Benefits

Improves wear and transfer resistance in makeup and sunscreens through film formation.

Enhances style hold and frizz control in hair products.

Stabilizes formulations by binding ingredients and suspending particles for even texture.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit	Who Should Avoid
Individuals seeking long-lasting makeup or hair styling products.	People with rare sensitivities to acrylic polymers.
Users of products needing stable dispersions like pigmented creams.	Individuals avoiding synthetic film formers.
Those preferring smooth, cohesive textures in pressed cosmetics.	Users preferring minimalist or natural-only formulations.

Safety Notes

Considered low hazard in cosmetic use concentrations.
Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polyethylacrylate

What does polyethylacrylate do in products?

It binds ingredients, forms protective films, fixes hair styles, and suspends particles for better stability and wear.

Is polyethylacrylate safe for skin?

It has a low safety hazard rating and minimal irritation risk in typical cosmetic amounts.

Does it cause breakouts?

Rated non-comedogenic, suitable for most skin types without pore-clogging concerns.