What is Polyacrylate-13 in Cosmetics?

Synthetic polymer that gives skin firmness

Have you ever felt like your skin became firmer after using skin care products?

Polyacrylate-13, which we will explain in this article, is an ingredient that gives skin firmness. However, it does not actually revitalize the skin itself. It creates an artificial film on the surface of the skin, which makes the skin feel taut.

What kind of ingredient is polyacrylate-13? Let's take a closer look at its function and safety as a cosmetic ingredient.

Synthetic polymers: Are synthetic polymers in cosmetics safe?

What is Polyacrylate-13?

Polyacrylate-13 is a synthetic polymer made from:

• Acrylic Acid
• Acrylamide
• Sodium Acrylate
• Sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate

Initially, these polymers were explored for use as industrial materials because they were durable and easy to use.

But then it was discovered that it was possible to create a soft, breathable artificial film on the skin, which gives the skin a feeling of firmness and is now used in many cosmetic products.

It is now used in a wide range of items, including foundations, primers, moisturizing creams, eye creams, face packs, and anti-aging care products.

Functionality of Polyacrylate-13

The reason why polyacrylate-13 is widely used in cosmetics is because of its film-forming properties , which I mentioned earlier. In other words, when applied to the skin, it creates a tightly held film.

The film covers and hides sagging, wrinkled, and uneven skin, giving the skin a smooth surface.

In addition, the artificial film is expected to have the following effects:

Improved beauty effects?

The artificial film makes it difficult for other active ingredients contained in cosmetics to be washed away. It also prevents them from being rubbed off by friction, so the active ingredients stay in contact with the skin for longer. You may feel the effects of the active ingredients more easily.

Improve the texture

It makes it easier to apply cosmetics evenly and also creates a rich feel when it touches the skin or hair.

Barrier Protection

The polyacrylate-13 film acts as a barrier to protect against pollutants in the air and external stimuli. It also helps the skin's natural barrier function. This may be a welcome feature for people whose skin is prone to irritation from pollen and other factors.

Is Polyacrylate-13 Safe?

Polyacrylate-13 is generally considered a safe ingredient. However, the American EWG, which has a team of experts reviewing ingredients for safety, gives a range of safety ratings .

Perhaps the reason for this is the origin of the ingredients.

I mentioned earlier that polyacrylate-13 is made from acrylic acid and acrylamide. In fact, acrylamide is a carcinogen.

Related article: Polyacrylamide is a cosmetic ingredient that poses a risk of carcinogenesis

Does it contain acrylamide, which is more harmful than tobacco?

Acrylamide is a carcinogen that is also found in tobacco.

The U.S. National Toxicology Program has suggested that acrylamide may be carcinogenic.

Additionally, the results of a 2007 epidemiological study from the Netherlands showed that high acrylamide intake increases the risk of cancer.
Additionally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified acrylamide as "probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A)."

So many international organizations have declared acrylamide to be carcinogenic. Polyacrylate-13 is being made .

"There's no problem if you use cosmetics."

Some people may think so.

However, it has also been suggested that acrylamide in cosmetics is rapidly absorbed through the skin, and it has been pointed out that daily use of cosmetics containing acrylamide such as polyacrylate-13 may ingest more acrylamide than one pack of cigarettes.

Still, can we say with certainty that cosmetics are okay?

summary

Even if the ingredients give the skin firmness, the effect is gone once you wash it off, because it does not have the effect of invigorating the skin itself.

Do you take the risk for the temporary effect of firming your skin, or do you avoid the ingredients you don't need for peace of mind?

Everyone has their own way of thinking, but it might be a good idea to choose cosmetics that you can use with as much peace of mind as possible, taking into consideration the invisible effects and risks that come with using them every day.