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Sodium Polyacrylate

INCI · Sodium Polyacrylate

Revelika safety grade

Overview

A synthetic polymer that absorbs many times its own weight in water and thickens it into a smooth, non-stringy gel. Small amounts turn a watery mixture into a gel-cream that spreads evenly and does not run.

Who it's for

Gel-creams, sheet-mask essences and lightweight moisturisers, and any formula whose selling point is a bouncy, fast-absorbing texture.

Cautions

It is a texture ingredient with no action on skin. Polymer gels are the class most likely to pill or roll when layered under sunscreen or makeup, especially if the layer beneath has not fully dried.

Suitability
Suits skin type
Dry Oily Combination Sensitive Acne-prone Mature Normal
Concentration
Concentration0 – 10%
Effective from
Max safe
In the glossary
Frequently asked
What does Sodium Polyacrylate do in skincare?

A synthetic polymer that absorbs many times its own weight in water and thickens it into a smooth, non-stringy gel. Small amounts turn a watery mixture into a gel-cream that spreads evenly and does not run.

Is Sodium Polyacrylate considered safe for skin?

It is a texture ingredient with no action on skin. Polymer gels are the class most likely to pill or roll when layered under sunscreen or makeup, especially if the layer beneath has not fully dried.

RRevelika

A science-forward beauty ingredient encyclopedia. Every entry is written from published research and graded conservatively before it publishes.

Editorial standard

Content is educational, not medical advice. When evidence is uncertain we say so — and we default to caution on pregnancy safety.

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