Carbomer

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Carbomer?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Carbomer is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: Carbomer is widely used in lotions, gels and creams and is usually safe when used on normal, unbroken skin. Big safety reviews flag low health concerns for cancer or long-term effects, but they do note two things to watch for: irritation for sensitive people and the possibility of tiny amounts of manufacturing impurities.

What to Do

Use products from well-known brands or those that say they test for impurities. Do a small patch test on a forearm before using a new product on a large area. Don’t apply carbomer-containing products to broken or sunburned skin. If you make or handle carbomer powder (unlikely for most users), avoid inhaling the dust and follow safety instructions.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, stinging, burning, watery eyes, or breathing irritation after use — stop use if these happen. The warnings come from ingredient safety reviews that list possible irritation and contamination concerns (including methacrylic acid, acrylic acid and benzene) and note limits or restrictions on use in some product safety programs. If you are worried about impurities, prefer products that disclose testing for contaminants or contact the brand for manufacturing and purity information.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record flags contamination with benzene, a chemical that public health agencies identify as a human carcinogen. Because benzene is listed as a possible contaminant, there is a real cancer risk if contaminated material is present in a product (this contamination concern is noted in the ingredient data).
Organ Risk: The ingredient data lists acrylic acid and methacrylic acid as possible contaminants. These acids can harm tissues and organs with repeated or high exposures, so contamination raises a concern for organ damage if present. The ingredient file also notes industry safety reviews and data gaps that affect how safety is judged (Cosmetic Ingredient Review referenced in the safety notes).
Irritant: The ingredient notes possible skin, eye and lung irritation and also lists acrylic and methacrylic acid as contaminants. Those chemicals can cause redness, stinging or breathing irritation, so irritation is a real risk if contaminated material is present (irritation concerns and weight-of-evidence are discussed in the ingredient safety notes by industry reviewers).
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient can be contaminated with persistent hazardous chemicals (for example benzene) and industry reviews note data gaps and limits based on reported use concentrations, there is a potential for long-term health effects with repeated exposure if contamination occurs. The ingredient record highlights these contamination and data-gap concerns (Cosmetic Ingredient Review cited for safety-assessment limitations).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Carbomer

This ingredient may also be listed as:

carbomersodium carbomerCARBOMERD033963854-EP2377843A1D0339555927-87-23854-EP2377847A1C00511D03394D03392D03393D03397

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Carbomer

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Carbomer or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Carbomer

Is this safe for adults to use Carbomer?

Yes, Carbomer is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Carbomer for adults?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the organ risk risks of Carbomer for adults?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the irritant risks of Carbomer for adults?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the long-term risk risks of Carbomer for adults?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Carbomer?

Carbomer is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can adults using products with Carbomer?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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