Quick answer
Synthetic ingredient that plays a variety of roles in skin care & other beauty products; Works as a binder and dispersing agent; Helps stabilize emulsions; Popular in hairsprays and other hair care as a film forming agent and shine enhancer; Comes in two forms: a free-flowing powder or slightly hazy, viscous liquid
Pvm/ma Copolymer
Updated
2,5-Furandione, polymer with methoxyethene; copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride
Purpose
Synthetic ingredient that plays a variety of roles in skin care/cosmetic formulations including working as a binding agent, dispersing agent, emulsion stabilizer, and film former.
Rating
GOOD
Category
Film-Forming Agent, Suspending/Dispersing Agent, Texture Enhancer
INCI Purpose
ANTISTATIC, BINDING, EMULSION STABILISING, FILM FORMING, HAIR FIXING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Alternative Names
At a Glance
Synthetic ingredient that plays a variety of roles in skin care & other beauty products
Works as a binder and dispersing agent
Helps stabilize emulsions
Popular in hairsprays and other hair care as a film forming agent and shine enhancer
Comes in two forms: a free-flowing powder or slightly hazy, viscous liquid
Article
PVM/MA copolymer is a synthetic ingredient that plays a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in cosmetic formulations, including binding agent, dispersing agent, emulsion stabilizer, and film former.
PVM/MA copolymer is a synthetic ingredient that plays a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in cosmetic formulations, including binding agent, dispersing agent, emulsion stabilizer, and film former.
PVM/MA copolymer is particularly popular in the hair care realm where it helps impart glossy shine to tresses. It is also used in dental care products such as toothpaste.
This ingredient comes in two forms: a free-flowing powder or slightly hazy, viscous liquid depending on how it’s processed.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel deemed PVM/MA copolymer safe in the practices of use and concentration as described in their 2011 assessment. That report looked at 80 personal care products containing PVM/MA copolymer in concentrations ranging from 0.0006-13%.
References