carbomer
what it is
A synthetic polymer of acrylic acid — INCI name Carbomer — supplied as a fine powder that swells into a clear gel once neutralised.
why we use it
At 0.30% it gives cloud its structure: viscosity that holds the emulsion uniform, so every scoop from first to last carries the same 4.00% niacinamide and 2.50% ceramide complex. It works alongside xanthan gum, and it needs neutralising to work at all — which is the entire story behind the sodium hydroxide on our label.
where you'll find it
In cloud at 0.30%.
evidence
Functional — carbomer's thickening behaviour is so predictable it is the industry default, and batch uniformity is something we verify rather than assume.
safety
Far too large to penetrate skin, and assessed as safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel. The honest environmental note: it is synthetic and not readily biodegradable. It is a water-swollen gel polymer rather than a solid plastic microbead — current microplastics restrictions target solid particles — but we follow the regulatory conversation on polymers and will say so plainly if our position changes.