Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer used in cosmetics primarily as a thickening agent, film former, and stabilizer that improves texture and viscosity of formulations. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation | Rare | Mild irritation possible, generally attributed to residual acrylamide monomer rather than the polymer itself. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated case reports; the polymer is considered low-sensitizing. |
Eye irritation | Rare | Possible upon direct contact with eyes in concentrated formulations. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.