Polyacrylamide

Also known as Polyacrylamide, Acrylamide polymer, Poly(acrylamide)

CIRPubMed

Safe

“CIR Expert Panel says: safe as used in cosmetics.”

Polyacrylamide is a high-molecular-weight synthetic polymer that does not penetrate skin and shows low acute toxicity. The main safety concern is residual acrylamide monomer, an IARC Group 2A probable human carcinogen and neurotoxin that does penetrate skin. The CIR Expert Panel (1991, amended 2005) concluded polyacrylamide is safe in cosmetics provided acrylamide monomer levels in finished formulations do not exceed 5 ppm. This 5 ppm limit has become the industry standard applied across acrylamide-polymer safety assessments.

Large polymer size (high MW) prevents skin penetration — the polymer itself poses minimal systemic exposure risk

Functions as effective film-former, binder, and rheology modifier in diverse cosmetic product types (moisturizers, sunscreens, self-tanners, makeup)

Low direct toxicity: single oral doses of 4.0 g/kg well-tolerated in animal studies; no significant adverse effects in chronic studies

Concerns

· Residual acrylamide monomer (CAS 79-06-1) in raw material — IARC Group 2A probable human carcinogen and demonstrated neurotoxin; penetrates skin unlike the polymer itself
· CIR SQ finding: approval is conditional on acrylamide monomer ≤5 ppm in finished cosmetic formulation
· Raw polyacrylamide ingredient as supplied may contain 0.02-0.03% acrylamide (200-300 ppm), requiring proper dilution to meet the 5 ppm limit
· No independent EU CosIng verification possible — general-inventory JS-SPA blocks retrieval; cosing scope dropped

Manufacturing note — not the ingredient itself

Acrylamide· CAS 79-06-1

Residual unreacted monomer from polyacrylamide synthesis. Acrylamide is the building-block monomer of polyacrylamide and remains present at trace levels in the finished polymer depending on manufacturing process and purification. The CIR Expert Panel (IJT 24(Suppl. 2):21-50, 2005) explicitly conditions polyacrylamide safety approval on limiting acrylamide monomer to no greater than 5 ppm in cosmetic formulations. Acrylamide monomer is classified as IARC Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) and is a demonstrated neurotoxin; it penetrates skin readily unlike the large-molecular-weight polymer.

Typical level: Average 0.02-0.03% (200-300 ppm) in polyacrylamide raw material as supplied; CIR requires formulation level ≤5 ppm. Proper dilution during formulation typically achieves the 5 ppm limit.

CIR Expert Panel

Approved

Safe if the level of acrylamide monomer in formulation is not greater than 5 ppm

[1]

CIR Expert Panel · Sep 1, 2022Live

CIR Quick Reference Table (September 2022) — Polyacrylamide row: Finding=SQ, Citation=JACT 10(1):193-203, 1991; IJT 24(Suppl. 2):21-50, 2005

“Polyacrylamide | SQ | The CIR Expert Panel concluded that Polyacrylamide is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the practices of use and concentrations described in this safety assessment, if the level of acrylamide monomer in formulation is not greater than 5 ppm. | JACT 10(1):193-203, 1991; IJT 24(Suppl. 2):21-50, 2005”— QuickReferenceTable_AllConclusionTypes.pdf, p. 403

Verificationpdf_textView source

[2]

CIR Expert Panel · Jan 1, 2005

Amended Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Polyacrylamide and Acrylamide Residues in Cosmetics (IJT 24(Suppl. 2):21-50, 2005)

Verificationweb_textView source

Sources

PubMed citations

Evidence quality

moderate

Last verified Apr 22, 2026

Re-reviewed when a new CIR / SCCS opinion publishes.