Ingredient deep-dive

Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer: Is It a Microplastic?

Medium concernMicroplastic polymer

Polyethylene-based copolymer used to thicken and suspend. Shares the polyethylene backbone that the EU microbead restriction targets.

Where it appears

Toothpaste
Thickened cleansers
Suspending glitter or beads in gels

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Within scope where present as solid particles.

United States

No federal restriction.

Cleaner alternatives

Xanthan gum
Cellulose gum
Sclerotium gum

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Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, common questions

Is Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer a microplastic?

Yes: it is classified as a synthetic polymer. Polyethylene-based copolymer used to thicken and suspend. Shares the polyethylene backbone that the EU microbead restriction targets.

Is Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer banned?

EU: Within scope where present as solid particles. US: No federal restriction.

What can I use instead of Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer?

Cleaner alternatives include: Xanthan gum; Cellulose gum; Sclerotium gum.

What products contain Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer?

Commonly found in: Toothpaste; Thickened cleansers; Suspending glitter or beads in gels.

Related ingredients

Polyethylene

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid plastic polymer. The EU restricted intentionally added microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics from October 2023, including polyethylene microbeads.

Polypropylene

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid plastic polymer, often used in scrubs, mascara fibers, and exfoliants.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Microplastic polymer · High concern

The same plastic used in bottles, here as glitter or shimmer in cosmetics.

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

Microplastic polymer · High concern

Solid acrylic plastic used as a microbead filler. Banned in EU rinse-off products since 2023.