What Is Ethyl Acrylate?
Ethyl acrylate is a clear liquid made by reacting acrylic acid with ethanol. This reaction forms an ester, giving the ingredient the ability to blend easily with many other materials used in cosmetics. It has a faint, sharp smell and evaporates at a moderate rate, which matters when a formula needs to dry or set on the skin.
The compound was first produced in the early 1900s for industrial coatings and paints. As cosmetic chemistry advanced in the mid-20th century, formulators noticed its ability to give flexible yet durable films, leading to its adoption in nail polishes and hair-setting sprays. Today its use is strictly controlled to meet safety guidelines set by bodies such as the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Commercially, ethyl acrylate is made in large reactors where acrylic acid and ethanol are mixed with an acid catalyst and heated. The resulting mixture is purified by distillation to remove any leftover acids and water, ensuring the grade is suitable for cosmetic use.
You will most often find ethyl acrylate in products that need a smooth, flexible finish such as nail lacquers, hair sprays, long-wear eye shadows, peel-off face masks and certain waterproof makeup bases. It is usually blended with other acrylic or methacrylic monomers to create a tailored film-forming resin.
Ethyl Acrylate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In personal care formulas ethyl acrylate serves one key purpose that shapes how a product looks, feels and performs on skin or hair.
As a plasticiser it softens hard resins and polymers so the final film is flexible instead of brittle. This flexibility keeps nail polish from cracking, lets hair spray move with the hair without flaking and allows peel-off masks to lift in one piece. The result is a smoother finish, better wear time and improved comfort for the user.
Who Can Use Ethyl Acrylate
Because ethyl acrylate acts mainly as a film former rather than an active skincare ingredient, it is generally tolerated by normal, oily, dry and combination skin. Sensitive or compromised skin may find it irritating if the concentration is high or the product sits on the skin for long periods, so those users should proceed with caution.
The ingredient is made synthetically from petrochemical feedstocks with no animal derived components, which makes it suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Current safety assessments do not flag ethyl acrylate as a special concern for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used at the low levels found in cosmetics. However this is not medical advice, and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should have a healthcare professional review the products they plan to use.
Ethyl acrylate does not absorb UV light in the wavelengths that trigger photosensitivity, so it is not known to increase sun sensitivity. It is also non comedogenic and will not clog pores when used in nail lacquers, hair sprays or other typical formats.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical ethyl acrylate differ from person to person. The points below describe potential side effects that could occur, yet most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used correctly in a finished cosmetic product.
- Skin irritation such as redness or a stinging sensation, more likely with leave on products applied to thin or damaged skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals who have previously developed sensitivity to acrylate compounds
- Eye irritation if spray mists or loose particles reach the eyes during application
- Respiratory irritation from inhaling concentrated vapors or overspray in poorly ventilated areas
If any of these effects occur stop using the product immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0/5. Ethyl acrylate is used in very small amounts and forms a film that sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing into pores, so it does not trap oil or dead skin cells that can cause breakouts. It is therefore considered non comedogenic and generally safe for acne-prone or congested skin. Because it is almost always paired with other resins, its low pore-clogging potential stays the same in finished formulas.
Summary
Ethyl acrylate acts mainly as a plasticiser and film former, softening rigid polymers so nail polish flexes, hair spray stays touchable and peel-off masks lift cleanly. Its ability to evaporate at a controlled rate also helps products set quickly without cracking.
The ingredient is not especially trendy since newer bio-based acrylates are gaining attention, yet it remains a quiet workhorse in many classic formulations where dependable performance matters.
Regulatory reviews find it safe at the very low levels used in cosmetics when guidelines are followed. Still, skin can react differently to any formula so it is wise to patch test new products that contain ethyl acrylate before full application.