Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.
Also written as: Aristoflex AVC · AMPS/VP copolymer
What it is
This copolymer combines a sulfonated acrylic monomer with vinylpyrrolidone and arrives already in salt form, so it thickens water on contact without needing an alkali. Formulators reach for it when a product contains electrolytes, acids or high levels of actives that would collapse a carbomer gel, and it is common in sheet-mask essences and light gels.
What it does well
Gives a light, non-tacky gel that survives salts and low pH
Its ionic backbone is far less sensitive to electrolytes than carbomer, which keeps essences and acid-containing masks from thinning out or separating on the shelf.
Strong evidence
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
Not restricted for cosmetic use in the EU; it appears in no Annex of the Cosmetics Regulation.
