Carbomer is a term used for a series of polymers primarily made from acrylic acid. The Carbomers are white, fluffy powders but are frequently used as gels in cosmetics and personal care products. Carbomers can be found in a wide variety of product types including skin, hair, nail, and makeup products, as well as dentifrices.
The safety of the Carbomer has been assessed by the
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Carbomer polymers were safe as ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products. In 2001, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Carbomer polymers and reaffirmed the above conclusion.CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel reviewed acute oral studies showing that Carbomer polymers have low toxicities when ingested. Minimal skin irritation and no to moderate eye irritation were observed. Subchronic feeding studies with a Carbomer
polymer resulted in lower than normal body weights, but no abnormal changes were observed in the organs. Some gastrointestinal irritation and marked pigment deposition within specific cells in the liver, called Kupffer cells, were seen in studies with Carbomer. Clinical studies with Carbomers showed that these polymers have low potential for skin irritation and sensitization at concentrations up to 100%. A Carbomer
polymer demonstrated low potential for phototoxicity and photo-contact allergenicity.
The Carbomers may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the
general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/html/consolidated_d...