Polymer vs. Polymer: Hydroxyethyl Acrylate and Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Overview

Motivation: To create and test a model lotion formulation and study the effects of two cosmetic polymers in a product, specifically a lotion Problem: What difference is there between two cosmetic polymers? Is the more expensive polymer necessarily the better polymer? Approach: I created a natural formulation using hydroxyethyl acrylate, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, camellia sinensis seed oil, distilled water, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, Geogard 221 as a natural preservative, and aloe vera parfum. I created two samples with each polymer. Sample 1 was created with the less expensive polymer, polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, and Sample 2 was created with the more expensive polymer, hydroxyethyl acrylate or sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer. Nine trials were performed where testers rated different attributes of the samples with provided worksheets. Results: Despite the different polymers, all the test subjects consistently rated each sample similarly in all nine trials. Sample 1 had the highest rating at an average of 8.52 out of 10. Sample 2 had a closely similar rating at 8.5. 68.8% of the testers preferred Sample 2, 68.8% also perceived Sample 1 as the most luxurious/expensive, and 68.8% responded that Sample 2 felt like the best-working sample. Conclusion: In this project, I was able to create an effective lotion with consistently high ratings. My experiment shows that the price of the two polymers did not matter and that both were effective. My hypothesis was proven correct.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Chemistry (Junior Division) · Entry J-05-15

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