Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Also known as HEA/SAT Copolymer, Simulgel 600, Simulgel NS, Simulgel EG, Aristoflex AVC, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (commonly marketed as Simulgel 600, Simulgel NS, Simulgel EG by Seppic, and Aristoflex AVC by Clariant) is a synthetic anionic copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and the sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS). It functions as a rheology modifier, thickener, and emulsion stabilizer in cosmetic formulations, producing stable, transparent or translucent gels and emulsions across a wide pH range (4–9) without the need for neutralization — a key formulation advantage over carbomer-type polymers. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel assessed Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer and related acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymers in a March 2017 final report. The QRT row for this ingredient carries Finding 'S' (Safe) with no qualification or use conditions. No independent PubMed literature specifically addressing the safety of this ingredient by name was identified; the CIR final report is the primary authoritative source.
Thickener and emulsion stabilizer that builds viscosity and yield stress without requiring neutralization, unlike carbomer-family polymers — simplifying formulation and enabling stable gels across pH 4–9
Electrolyte-tolerant rheology modifier; the sulfonate groups on the AMPS monomer confer better compatibility with salts and ionic actives compared to polyacrylic acid-based thickeners
CIR Expert Panel assessed safe with no conditions or concentration limits (Final report 3/2017)
High molecular weight synthetic polymer; not expected to penetrate intact skin
CIR Quick Reference Table (12/2017, revised 07/2018) — Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer row: Finding=S, Ci…
“Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer | S | | Final report 3/2017 available from CIR”— QRT-122017revised072018.pdf, p. 62