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Moumoujus

ACRYLIC ACID.

Avoid CAS 79-10-7 / NAIL CONDITIONING

Acrylic Acid is a highly reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, primarily serving as a fundamental building block for polymers widely utilized in skincare. When pure and unpolymerized, it is not suitable for direct skin application due to its potent corrosive and irritant properties.

Summary

Precursor for film formers Precursor for viscosity-increasing agents Precursor for emollients Precursor for emulsion stabilizers Buffering (theoretical for monomer) Exfoliant (theoretical for monomer)

Science

Mechanism of Action

As an unpolymerized monomer, Acrylic Acid is inherently reactive, acting as a strong corrosive agent to biological tissues through its electrophilic carbon. In cosmetic formulations, its derivatives, such as acrylates copolymers, are safely utilized as film formers, viscosity modifiers, emollients, and emulsion stabilizers, where the monomeric Acrylic Acid content is stringently controlled to trace levels.

Research

Clinical Evidence

High confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 Severe local skin reaction observed in a chemical worker at 2% concentration.
  2. 02 May be irritating to the skin at concentrations up to 5%.
  3. 03 Corrosive to rabbit or rat skin at concentrations greater than 5%.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Commonly dusted
Min. effective
Residual monomeric Acrylic Acid in cosmetic polymers is typically controlled to very low levels, often in the parts per million (ppm) range (e.g., <0.2 to 0.8 ppm), to ensure product safety.%
Red flag below
2%

While polymerized forms (acrylates copolymers) are deemed safe for cosmetic use due to their inert nature and minimal residual monomer, the unreacted Acrylic Acid monomer poses significant dermal hazards. Its high reactivity makes it unsuitable for direct topical application, with severe reactions observed at 2% and corrosive effects above 5%.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

Acrylic Acid polymerizes readily in the presence of oxygen, heat, and sunlight, which can lead to violent rupture if confined. It is typically supplied as an inhibited monomer (e.g., with 200 ppm hydroquinone monomethyl ether) to prevent premature polymerization. Its pKa is 4.25.

Conflicts

  • Oxygen
  • Heat
  • Sunlight
  • Electrophilic agents
  • Free-radical agents
  • Nucleophilic agents
  • Metals

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Not reviewed
Max tested
0%
Sensitization risk High

Pure Acrylic Acid is profoundly corrosive to skin and eyes. The CIR Expert Panel has reviewed the safety of *acrylates copolymers* (polymers derived from acrylic acid) and concluded they are safe for use in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating, ensuring residual monomeric Acrylic Acid is maintained at very low, safe levels (typically in the ppm range). Direct application of Acrylic Acid at concentrations up to 5% may cause skin irritation, while concentrations greater than 5% are corrosive.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

No Normal
No Dry
No Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy High
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Avoid

Direct application of monomeric Acrylic Acid should be avoided due to its severe corrosive and irritant properties, though its polymerized derivatives are essential and safely utilized ingredients in precision skincare.

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