Carbomer
Also known as: Carbomers, Carboxyvinylpolymer, Carbopol, Pemulen, Crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers, Carbomer
Overview
Carbomers are synthetic polymers derived from acrylic acid, widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care products. They are crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymers, often synthesized from acrylic acid and crosslinked with allyl pentaerythritol (APE). These polymers are valued for their thickening, emulsifying, and suspending properties, enhancing the texture and stability of various formulations such as gels, creams, lotions, and oral suspensions. Carbomers can absorb and retain water, swelling significantly to provide a gel-like consistency. While primarily used as inactive ingredients to improve product quality and delivery of active ingredients, carbomers are not considered dietary supplements and do not offer direct health benefits when consumed. Research primarily focuses on their safety and efficacy as additives rather than as standalone supplements.
Benefits
Carbomers do not provide direct health benefits as dietary supplements. Their primary benefit lies in improving the texture and stability of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, which can indirectly enhance the delivery and effectiveness of active ingredients. In pharmaceutical applications, carbomers can improve drug bioavailability by controlling release rates. However, these benefits are related to their role as formulation aids rather than direct physiological effects. There is no evidence to suggest any specific population benefits from carbomers as supplements, and their use is limited to improving product characteristics.
How it works
Carbomers function by absorbing and retaining water, which causes them to swell and create a gel-like consistency. This property is crucial for thickening and stabilizing formulations in various products. They do not interact with biological pathways or undergo systemic absorption, meaning they act locally within the formulation without affecting the body's internal systems. Carbomers do not have any known molecular targets related to health benefits, as their mechanism is purely physical, enhancing the texture and stability of the products they are added to.
Side effects
Carbomers are generally considered safe for topical and oral use in formulations due to their lack of systemic absorption. Common side effects are not applicable as they are not absorbed. However, mild skin irritation has been reported in some cases, although this is uncommon. Rare side effects are not significantly documented. Due to the lack of systemic absorption, there are no known drug interactions or contraindications associated with carbomer use. Special population considerations are minimal, as carbomers are primarily used externally or as inactive ingredients in oral formulations without significant systemic effects. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for carbomers as food additives is 190 mg/kg body weight per day.
Dosage
Carbomers are not used as dietary supplements, so there are no recommended dosages for this purpose. Instead, they are used as inactive ingredients in formulations to enhance texture and stability. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for carbomers as food additives is 190 mg/kg body weight per day, but this applies to their use in food products rather than as a direct supplement. Since carbomers are not absorbed by the body, timing considerations and required cofactors are not applicable. Their effectiveness depends on the specific formulation and intended use, rather than a specific dosage.
FAQs
Are carbomers safe for consumption?
Carbomers are generally safe when used as intended in formulations. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for carbomers as food additives is 190 mg/kg body weight per day.
Do carbomers provide any health benefits?
Carbomers do not provide direct health benefits when consumed. Their primary role is to improve the texture and stability of formulations.
Can carbomers cause skin irritation?
Mild skin irritation has been reported in some cases, but carbomers are generally considered safe for topical use.
Are carbomers considered dietary supplements?
No, carbomers are not dietary supplements. They are used as inactive ingredients in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products.
How do carbomers improve product texture?
Carbomers absorb and retain water, swelling to create a gel-like consistency that thickens and stabilizes formulations.
Research Sources
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/6693 – The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings evaluated the safety of carbomers as food additives. The study concluded that carbomers are safe for use as food additives with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 190 mg/kg body weight per day. This evaluation supports the use of carbomers in food products within the specified safety limits.
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Vitamin-A-Palmitate-and-Carbomer-Gel-Protects-the-Cui-Xiang/a7e99240a08c2365cf609a9994bef1f35b12aecd – This study demonstrated that a carbomer gel containing Vitamin A Palmitate effectively protects the conjunctiva by improving tear film stability. The research highlights the utility of carbomers in ophthalmic applications for enhancing the delivery and efficacy of active ingredients. While not directly related to dietary supplements, it illustrates the beneficial properties of carbomers in improving formulation characteristics.