Sodium Methacrylate/Styrene Copolymer

AKA: Film Former
Synthetic
Not Clean
2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, sodium salt, polymer with ethenylbenzene
CAS #
33970-45-5
Form
Liquid
State
Solid
Functions
Opacifying
Opacifying, Anti
Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Fights Acne, Creates creamy opacity
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic polymer created to provide film-forming, thickening, and texture-enhancing properties in modern cosmetics, with no traditional or historical precedent.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR