Cosmetic ingredient

VP/VA COPOLYMER

VP/VA COPOLYMER is a synthetic polymer made by linking vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate units. Rather than being one small, single substance, it is a chain built from those two components, which suits products designed to leave a continuous residue after drying.

INCIVP1 products
CAS number
25086-89-9

VP/VA COPOLYMER: what it is

VP/VA COPOLYMER is a synthetic polymer made by linking vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate units. Rather than being one small, single substance, it is a chain built from those two components, which suits products designed to leave a continuous residue after drying.

The name is not interchangeable with PVP, even though both include vinylpyrrolidone units. The added vinyl acetate distinguishes VP/VA COPOLYMER and contributes to the film-forming behavior that is particularly useful in hair-styling products.

VP/VA COPOLYMER: what it does in cosmetics

In gels, sprays, and other styling products, VP/VA COPOLYMER helps create a thin film over the hair. In everyday use, that film can keep strands together and support a hairstyle after the product dries; it is not a hair treatment and does not permanently alter the hair structure.

A test of hair gels and sprays included VP/VA resins in styling formulations and measured the stiffness of treated hair strands. Results varied with the product type and testing setup, so this does not support promising identical hold from every concentration, spray, or gel containing the polymer.

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Products containing this ingredient

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