Polyacrylamide in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Polyacrylamide is flagged by Olive Detective as a low concern in cosmetics. Thickener; may carry residual acrylamide (a probable carcinogen). The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on IARC 2A (acrylamide); EWG — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Carcinogenicity concern — flagged by IARC or an equivalent body for review.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on polyacrylamide, acrylamide.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is yellow, so it does not cap a product's score by itself.
Source: IARC 2A (acrylamide); EWG
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
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