A-Z of Cosmetic Ingredients and Terms
Monomers are single units that are bonded together to form a chainlike structure, called a polymer.
For example, glucose is a natural monomer found in fruits and plants. When many glucose units link together, they form starch (in plants) or glycogen (in animals)—both are natural polymers used for energy storage. Amino acids are monomers that join to form proteins, which are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body.
Acrylate monomers are examples of monomers used as cosmetic ingredients. In some artificial L&P and UV-cured gel nails, acrylate monomers are applied to the surface of the nail which are then ‘cured’ either in the open air or under a UV/LED lamp to form the hard, durable polymer nail surface.
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