Acrylates/t-Butylacrylamide Copolymer

AKA: Acrylic polymer, Film former
Synthetic
Occlusive
Clean
Copolymer of ter-butyl acrylamide and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters
Form
Liquid
State
Solid
Functions
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Hair Fixing
Creates Protective Barrier
Creates protective layer
Holds hair in place
Traditional Use
A synthetic copolymer developed for cosmetic applications. Used to provide texture and stability in skincare and styling products.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
CIR Safety Findings
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Mild Irritant
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR