Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic copolymer widely seen in cosmetic and personal care formulations, especially those promising a particular consistency or stability in lotions, creams, and gels. The backbone combines short-chain acrylates with long-chain C10-30 alkyl acrylate groups to create a three-dimensional network after crosslinking. This network structure locks water and active ingredients in a stable suspension and helps products feel smooth without greasiness. Users hardly ever see this name on packaging, but the results often stand out: lotions that glide, serums that stay clear, and gels that don’t run.
This copolymer usually appears in solid, white flakes or fine powder, sometimes as translucent pearls or a dense, crystalline form, depending on the manufacturing process. Finished blends reach shelves as pre-neutralized liquids or gels, ready for application. Raw materials for this crosspolymer come from acrylic acid and a variety of alkyl acrylates with carbon chains ranging from C10 up to C30, and a small percentage of crosslinking agents. Companies in the beauty sector value batches with consistent physical properties to deliver predictable viscosity, clarity, and suspension without batch-to-batch variability.
Looking at the structure at the molecular level, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer links together repeating units of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters, modified by longer C10-30 alkyl side chains for hydrophobic balance. The typical empirical formula spans a distribution due to its copolymer nature, but each monomer follows a CnH2nO2 motif, modified by the chain length and number of repeating units, as well as crosslinking density. The cross-polymerization part means the final polymer forms a network, not just a string, making it difficult to pinpoint a standard molecular weight. Looking up trade classifications, the HS Code most often referenced for this copolymer is 39069090, marking it as a synthetic acrylic polymer, not elsewhere specified, under plastics and resins.
Users notice this polymer’s impact on viscosity and emulsion stability. It absorbs water quickly but resists dissolving until neutralized with an alkaline substance, triggering swelling and gelation. The density in solid state ranges on average from 0.2 to 0.4 g/cm³ when flaked or powdered. In liquid concentrate or gel, the effective density follows the carrier solvent, usually water. The melting point isn’t sharply defined due to the copolymer’s amorphous nature, but decomposition starts above 200°C. Chemically, the material remains stable in most formulations, showing little risk of unwanted reactivity with actives or fragrances.
Producers ship this copolymer among other forms as light flakes, electrostatically charged powder, compressed beads, and as pre-neutralized liquid concentrates. Each form presents practical tradeoffs; powders disperse rapidly but can be dusty. Flakes reduce clumping but take longer to hydrate, while pearls maintain low dust and are easier to measure for larger batch runs. Liquids, though heavier and less concentrated, allow for quick, clean dosing in production without dust or aggregation, but require stabilizers to prevent separation during storage.
On the safety front, most regulatory studies confirm a low-risk profile for this copolymer in finished products. It doesn’t cause skin irritation in standard tests when properly neutralized and formulated. As a raw powder, users should avoid breathing airborne dust, since fine particulate matter always poses inhalation risks, not unique to this polymer. No evidence links the finished polymer to chronic toxicity or bioaccumulation. The material doesn’t qualify as hazardous by most transport standards, but bulk packaging follows the same protocols as similar powdered chemicals—sealed, labeled, away from incompatible oxidizers. For regulators and customs, the correct classification under international codes helps avoid shipping delays or compliance issues.
Formulators lean on Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer for rheology: the study of flow and viscosity. Many personal care trends hinge on the silky glide and featherweight finish enabled by these crosspolymers. This copolymer solves for sedimentation in exfoliant or colored serums without sticky buildup, and its thixotropic behavior lets thick creams spread thin with just a little rubbing but set back to a thick texture at rest. As a user and observer of new launches, one learns to recognize that weightless, smooth slip in a moisturizer as the mark of a crosspolymer done right. Brands looking for “clear gel” aesthetics without viscosity loss trust it to keep actives stable and distributed.
Water treatment and biodegradation studies show Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is not readily biodegradable, so it becomes a target in debates about microplastics and persistent polymers. Wastewater treatment plants capture most of these polymers before they reach waterways. Still, some consumer groups and regulatory bodies want measurable reductions in synthetic polymers, calling for future research and green alternatives. Newer work aims at renewable feedstocks, such as biogenerated acrylic acids or replacing the C10-30 alkyl chains with more degradable building blocks that give the same texture benefits without sticking around in the soil or water.
The market for Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer doesn’t show signs of shrinking. Brands rely on its predictable thickening and suspension properties to build standout skincare and hair products. Still, growing attention to sustainability pushes researchers and formulators to refine or replace current crosspolymers. Whether through molecular tweaks for improved breakdown or new recycling paths for production scraps, the industry has room to shift while keeping performance high. Staying up to date with regulatory lists, accurate HS Codes, and ongoing toxicology studies helps keep the sector both compliant and competitive. As new forms, like more concentrated solutions or dust-free pearls, emerge, producers and brand users alike watch for safer, more sustainable, yet no less impressive textural results.
