How we scored it
Where it comes from
Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer is made from styrene (benzene-derived) and isoprene sourced from petrochemical naphtha-cracking C5 streams, not natural rubber latex. The finished elastomeric copolymer is fully petrochemical, then hydrogenated to saturate remaining double bonds.
In plain English
A synthetic rubber-like polymer used to control product texture. Despite isoprene's link to natural rubber, the industrial version used here is made from petroleum, not tapped tree latex.
CosIng definition: Benzene, ethenyl-, polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, hydrogenated
Natural alternatives with the same function
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Agarose 100% natural originA gelling and thickening ingredient extracted from red seaweed, used to give lotions and gels body.
Algin 100% natural originSodium alginate, a thickening and binding gum extracted from brown seaweed. It's harvested from algae and processed to…
Alginic Acid 100% natural originA gelling and thickening gum extracted from brown seaweed, the acid form of alginate. It's harvested and purified…
Aluminum Behenate 100% natural originThe aluminium salt of behenic acid, a fatty acid from rapeseed or similar seed oils. Used in small…
Aluminum Distearate 100% natural originAn aluminium salt of stearic acid, a fatty acid from vegetable oil or animal fat. Used in powders…
References
- 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.
- 2HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ISOPRENE COPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=HYDROGENATED%20STYRENE/ISOPRENE%20COPOLYMER