Database/Film Forming/Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer natural?

No. Thermoplastic block copolymer of styrene and isoprene, both commercially petrochemical monomers for this application.

INCI nameStyrene/Isoprene Copolymer
CAS25038-32-8
FunctionFilm Forming · Opacifying
FeedstockMade by anionic polymerisation of petrochemical styrene and…

How we scored it

Styrene (petrochemical, from benzene/ethylene) copolymerised with isoprene (petrochemical, from C5 naphtha cracking); no natural fragment → 0.0.
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

Made by anionic polymerisation of petrochemical styrene and isoprene monomers into a styrene-isoprene block copolymer. Commercial cosmetic-grade material is not made from natural rubber.

In plain English

A film-forming ingredient used to create a flexible coating in products like nail polish. Made from two petrochemical building blocks, styrene and isoprene.

CosIng definition: Benzene, ethenyl-, polymer with 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene

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