What it is
In the register’s words: “2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CARBOMER
- CAS number
- 9007-20-9 / 9003-01-4 / 76050-42-5 / 9062-04-8 / 9007-16-3 / 9007-17-4
- EC number
- - / - / - / - / - / -
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Carbomer in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Emulsion stabilizing
-
Keeps a cream’s oil and water from separating on the shelf.
Register definition: “Helping the process of emulsification and improving emulsion stability and shelf-life.”
- Gel forming
-
Turns a liquid into a gel.
Register definition: “Giving the consistency of a gel (a semi-solid preparation with some elasticity) to a liquid preparation.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Stylers 10 labels First five names: 2 of 10 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (10)
- tgin Curl Bomb Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 4th of 27 names
- Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel Styler 3rd of 20 names
- Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel Styler 8th of 29 names
- The Doux BIG POPPA Defining Gel Styler 6th of 15 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Fragrance & Protein Free Sculpting Gel Styler 6th of 12 names
- Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer Styler 16th of 30 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel Styler 8th of 15 names
- Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel Styler 14th of 20 names
- Giovanni Curl Habit Curl Shaping Hair Gel Styler 15th of 21 names
- Mielle Honey & Ginger Styling Gel Styler 14th of 17 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other emulsion stabilizing ingredients on these labels
- Hydroxyethylcellulose 24 labels
- Pectin 4 labels
- Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose 3 labels
- Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina) 2 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.