Database/Skin Conditioning/Acrylates/Behenyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Acrylates/Behenyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer natural?

Mostly not. Only the behenyl (C22 fatty alcohol) portion is natural; the acrylate/methacrylate backbone is petrochemical and dimethicone methacrylate is silicone (scored 0 by convention).

INCI nameAcrylates/Behenyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer
FunctionSkin Conditioning
FeedstockThis terpolymer combines behenyl acrylate (a fatty C22…

How we scored it

Terpolymer: acrylic/methacrylic ester backbone (0, petrochemical) + dimethicone methacrylate (0, silicone convention) + behenyl acrylate (C22 fatty ester, ~85% natural in that monomer only); silicone/acrylate content dominates typical grades by mass, so overall NOI is estimated low, ~0.15.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

This terpolymer combines behenyl acrylate (a fatty C22 alcohol ester, oleochemical), dimethicone methacrylate (silicone, scored 0 by this site's convention), and acrylic/methacrylic acid esters (petrochemical). Typical commercial grades are silicone/acrylate-dominant by mass, so the natural behenyl content is a minor mass fraction.

In plain English

A film-forming ingredient combining silicone, petroleum-based acrylic chemicals, and a small amount of fatty alcohol from natural fats. Used in sunscreens and skincare to form a flexible coating. Mostly synthetic in origin.

CosIng definition: Copolymer of behenyl acrylate, dimethicone methacrylate and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters

Natural alternatives with the same function

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2ACRYLATES/BEHENYL ACRYLATE/DIMETHICONE METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3ACRYLATES/BEHENYL ACRYLATE/DIMETHICONE METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ACRYLATES/BEHENYL%20ACRYLATE/DIMETHICONE%20METHACRYLATE%20COPOLYMER