Ingredient deep-dive

Sodium Acrylates Copolymer: Is It a Microplastic?

Low concernAcrylate / vinyl polymer

Acrylic thickener and stabiliser. Same family as sodium polyacrylate, used to build texture in water-based formulas.

Where it appears

Lotions and gels
Sunscreen
Hair styling gels

Regulatory status (2026)

European Union

Permitted.

United States

No federal restriction.

Cleaner alternatives

Xanthan gum
Cellulose gum
Sclerotium gum

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Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, common questions

Is Sodium Acrylates Copolymer a microplastic?

Borderline. Acrylic thickener and stabiliser. Same family as sodium polyacrylate, used to build texture in water-based formulas.

Is Sodium Acrylates Copolymer banned?

EU: Permitted. US: No federal restriction.

What can I use instead of Sodium Acrylates Copolymer?

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

What products contain Sodium Acrylates Copolymer?

Commonly found in: Lotions and gels; Sunscreen; Hair styling gels.

Related ingredients

Acrylates Copolymer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · High concern

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

Acrylates Crosspolymer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · High concern

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

Carbomer

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · Medium concern

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

Polyacrylate

Acrylate / vinyl polymer · Medium concern

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