What Are Carbomer?

Not often talked about, but featured in a number of cosmetic products, most people don’t know what carbomers are, even though they probably benefit from the use of them every day. Unlike active ingredients that offer results-driven value to a product, carbomers are inactive ingredients that help those active ingredients work so well. “A carbomer describes a series of polymers made from acrylic acid,” explains Vasyukevich. “On their own, carbomers are white, fluffy powders but are frequently used as gels in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products made for the skin, hair, nails, and makeup products, as well as dentifrices.” Carbomer are also commonly listed as carbomer 934, carbomer 934 P, carbomer 941, carbopol 910, and carboxyvinyl polymer.

Benefits of Carbomer for Skin

While carbomers alone won’t really do much to improve the condition of your skin or treat an existing issue or concern, they can offer benefits when featured in certain products. Just think of them as the supporting actor in a film, or a backup singer on an album—they may not be the star of the show, but the whole thing couldn’t really come together without their help.

Thickens or evens-out the consistency of products: “Carbomer is thickening agents that help control the consistency or stickiness, and flow of many cosmetic products.

Prevents separation in products: "Additionally, they help distribute and suspend insoluble solids into liquid, and prevent the oil and liquid parts of a solution from separating,” says Vasyukevich. This helpful trait is what makes thinner moisturizers like emulsions work.

Improves the texture of products: Carbomer can expand to 1000 times their original volume in water.1 “Carbomer can easily absorb and retain water, and can expand immensely when they’re suspended in water,” Vasyukevich states. “By adding carbomers to things like shampoos, conditioners, creams, and lotions, the formulations will appear more rich, smooth, and creamy.”

Side Effects of Carbomer

According to the Environmental Working Group, carbomers are considered to be a very safe ingredient. It is not considered to be an ingredient associated with causing cancers and has also not been linked to developmental or reproductive toxicity.2

Additionally, carbomers have not been shown to compromise the immune system or cause allergic reactions.3 “In reviewing acute oral and dermal studies, they determined that carbomers have a low potential for phototoxicity, photo-contact allergenicity, skin irritation and sensitization at concentrations up to 100%,” Vasyukevich adds.

So, if you’re using a product that contains carbomers and you are having an adverse or allergic reaction, it is very safe to assume that a different ingredient is to blame.

How to Use It

Because carbomers are ingredients that allow the countless products they’re found in to do their best work, there isn’t really one set of instructions for their use as there might be for, say, SPF or glycolic acid. “Carbomer is versatile and can be used anytime,” Vasyukevich says. “Carbomer are one of the most versatile polymers in industry, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals and even in oral care products... It seems to be a neutral type of ingredient that works well with everything.” If you’re using a product that relies on carbomers, be sure to follow the use instructions of that specific product carefully, and reduce or discontinue use if you notice negative side effects, like breakouts or irritation. 

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