Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate-acryloyldimethyltaurine Sodium Copolymer, 2-Propenoic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, polymer with sodium 2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)amino]-1-propanesulfonate (1:1)
Versatile polymer widely used in skin care and makeup | Aids texture and helps stabilise formulas
Addresses
EWG Safety Score
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What Is Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer?
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer is a synthetic polymer that has many uses in cosmetics: it primarily functions as a stabilizer, texture enhancer, dispersing agent, and opacifier.
It is often combined with ingredients such as isohexadecane, various polysorbates, and a blend of dimethicone- or siloxane-based silicones. These combinations give a cosmetics chemist several options to create appealing aesthetics. Unlike other thickeners, when available in a liquid mixture it allows the formulator to adjust the viscosity of the formula at the end of the process. The copolymer plays a role in how fast a product “breaks” on skin (meaning how quickly its initial texture changes once applied). For this reason, it’s often used in products with transformative, gel-cream textures.
Another helpful aspect of this copolymer is that it can be used within a wide pH range without its efficacy or stability changing.
The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review has deemed this ingredient safe as used in cosmetics. Concentration maximums include 4.3% in rinse-off products and up to 3.6% in leave-on products, including eyeliners and eyeshadows. Cosmetic brands typically use less than those maximum amounts since the safety assessment of this ingredient capped its usage at 3% in leave-on products.
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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Insight into acrylate copolymer dispersion with multiple interactions using large-amplitude oscillation shear, Polymer, Volume 212, January 2021, ePublication [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123130]
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Impact of Selected Cosmetic Ingredients on Common Microorganisms of Healthy Human Skin, Cosmetics, August 2019, pages 1–13 [https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6030045]
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http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/ACTAPY122015rep.pdf
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Take the skin quizOther forms of Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
These appear on ingredients lists under different names but are the same substance. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is the common form.
Related Ingredients
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Versatile polymer widely used in skin care and makeup
Sorbic Acid
Preservative naturally derived from mountain ash berries | Used to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi
Tranexamic Acid
A brightener that works on a different pathway to the rest
Benzoyl Peroxide
The acne eliminator
Kojic Acid
A fungal-derived brightener with a stability problem
Potassium Sorbate
Used as a preservative in cosmetics | Also used in food to prohibit the growth of yeast and mold
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