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Common Name(s): Polyamide-12,pa-12 powder,rilsan powder

CAS Number: 24937-16-4

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides silky powder feel and soft-focus diffusion from nylon-12 polymer spheres.

Why It's Used: Premium talc alternative providing superior silkiness and soft-focus with better texture control vs mineral powders for luxury cosmetic formulations.

How It Works: Spherical pa-12 particles (5-20ฮผm) provide regular geometry for soft-focus diffusion. slightly elastic polymeric nature provides cushion-feel vs rigid mineral powders. excellent oil absorption capacity. lower density than mineral powders for lighter feel.

Typically Found In: Premium foundations,setting powders,luxury colour cosmetics

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ€“ polymer powder

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ€“30%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ€“ very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ€“ non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ€“2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Nylon-12's slightly elastic polymeric sphere (young's modulus ~1600 mpa vs silica ~70,000 mpa) provides a different tactile feel than rigid mineral microspheres during application. the elastic deformation of polymer spheres under application pressure provides a 'cushion' feel that rigid mineral powders cannot replicate โ€“ the basis for nylon-12's premium cosmetic positioning despite higher cost than silica or talc.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment