Database/Film Forming/Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer natural?

Mostly not. Adipic acid (from cyclohexane) and diethylene glycol (from ethylene oxide) are petrochemical, while only the small glycerin crosslinker is natural.

INCI nameAdipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
CAS26760-54-3
FunctionFilm Forming
FeedstockDominant route: polycondensation of petrochemical adipic acid and…

How we scored it

Repeat unit diethylene glycol adipate C10H16O5 216 Da (adipic acid, diglycol petrochemical); assumed 1 glyceryl branch C3H5O3 89 Da (natural) per 10 units: 89/2251 = 0.04.
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

Dominant route: polycondensation of petrochemical adipic acid and diethylene glycol with a little vegetable glycerin as crosslinker. Bio-based adipic acid is not yet commercially significant.

In plain English

A synthetic polyester that forms a glossy, flexible film in colour cosmetics such as lip glosses, helping pigments stay put. It is made from adipic acid and diethylene glycol, both industrial chemicals, linked with a little glycerin.

CosIng definition: Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer is a copolymer of diethylene glycol and adipic acid crosslinked with glycerin

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. 2ADIPIC ACID/DIGLYCOL CROSSPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3ADIPIC ACID/DIGLYCOL CROSSPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ADIPIC%20ACID/DIGLYCOL%20CROSSPOLYMER