Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer is comprised of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers. In cosmetics and personal care products, it functions as a gelling agent that thickens, emulsifies, and stabilizes products. An emulsifier is needed for products that contain both water and oil components. Mixing water and oil together creates a dispersion of oil droplets in water (and vice versa). However, these two phases can separate if the product is left to settle. To address this problem, an emulsifier like Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer can be added to the system. Emulsifiers improve the consistency of a product, which enables an even distribution of topical skin care benefits.

Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer is also a texture enhancer and leaves the skin feeling velvety and soft. Lastly, as an opacifying agent, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate can be added to clear or transparent cosmetic formulations to render them more resistant to visible light.