How we scored it
Where it comes from
This copolymer is made by polymerizing styrene, derived from petrochemical benzene and ethylene, with acrylic or methacrylic acid esters, also petrochemical. It has no natural or plant-derived content.
In plain English
A film-forming polymer used in products like mascara and nail polish to leave a flexible coating on skin, hair, or nails. It's built entirely from petrochemical starting materials, styrene and acrylic esters.
CosIng definition: Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer is a polymer of Styrene and a monomer consisting of Acrylic Acid, Methacrylic Acid or one of their simple esters.
Natural alternatives with the same function
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Acacia Senegal Gum 100% natural originThe dried gum exuded from the acacia tree, collected by tapping the bark. Used to form a film…
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Amorphophallus Konjac Root Extract 100% natural originA root extract from the konjac plant that helps form a light film on skin and hair and…
Astragalus Gummifer Gum 100% natural originA natural plant gum, known as tragacanth, harvested from a Middle Eastern shrub. Used as a thickener and…
Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment Extract 100% natural originAn extract of the liquid left after the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans is grown on sugars in a…
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.
- 2STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=STYRENE/ACRYLATES%20COPOLYMER