Sodium Carbomer
Film-Forming Agent
No known benefits
Sodium Carbomer at a glance
- A blend of sodium (salt) and the gelling agent carbomer
- Used as a stabilizer and film-forming agent
- Does not require an alkaline catalyst to thicken it, as some other carbomers do
- Deemed safe as used in cosmetics
Sodium Carbomer description
Sodium carbomer is a blend of sodium (salt) and carbomer. Carbomer is a texture enhancer primarily used to create clear gel-like formulations. Sodium carbomer functions as a stabilizer and film-forming agent in skin care products. According to one supplier, sodium carbomer is advantageous because it does not require an alkaline catalyst to be added to its formulation to thicken it (many other carbomers are acidic, whereas sodium carbomer has a neutral pH). The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel has ruled carbomers are safe as used in cosmetics, where its typical usage level is 0.2–0.5%.
