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Ingredient deep-dive

Polyacrylamide: Is It a Microplastic?

Medium concernAcrylate / vinyl polymer

Synthetic acrylic polymer used as a thickener and film-former. The polymer itself is large, but the flag is the residual acrylamide monomer, which the IARC classes as a probable human carcinogen.

Where it appears

  • Sunscreen and lotion (as thickener)
  • Anti-aging serums (film-former)
  • Foundation and BB cream
  • Sheet-mask essences

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Permitted; residual acrylamide monomer capped at 0.1 ppm in leave-on and 0.5 ppm in rinse-off products.

United States

No federal cosmetic restriction; California Prop 65 lists acrylamide.

Cleaner alternatives

  • Xanthan gum
  • Sclerotium gum
  • Hydroxyethylcellulose

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Polyacrylamide, common questions

Is Polyacrylamide a microplastic?

Yes: it is classified as a synthetic polymer. Synthetic acrylic polymer used as a thickener and film-former. The polymer itself is large, but the flag is the residual acrylamide monomer, which the IARC classes as a probable human carcinogen.

Is Polyacrylamide banned?

EU: Permitted; residual acrylamide monomer capped at 0.1 ppm in leave-on and 0.5 ppm in rinse-off products. US: No federal cosmetic restriction; California Prop 65 lists acrylamide.

What can I use instead of Polyacrylamide?

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

What products contain Polyacrylamide?

Commonly found in: Sunscreen and lotion (as thickener); Anti-aging serums (film-former); Foundation and BB cream; Sheet-mask essences.

Related ingredients

Acrylates Copolymer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · High concern

Synthetic film-forming plastic used widely in makeup, sunscreens, and hair fixatives.

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Acrylates Crosspolymer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · High concern

Cross-linked acrylic polymer thickener. Same plastic family as Acrylates Copolymer.

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Carbomer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · Medium concern

Cross-linked polyacrylic acid thickener. Synthetic polymer, though much smaller particles than microbeads.

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Polyacrylate

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · Medium concern

Polymer thickener / absorbent. Plastic family used in absorbent gels and lotions.

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