Achieving a Serum Texture for Sunscreen

To create a lighter, serum-like consistency for your sunscreen formulation instead of a cream, you can use specific gelling agents or thickeners designed for this purpose.

Recommended Thickeners for Serum Texture

• ThixoGel™: This ingredient is excellent for creating a "thick but liquid gel" texture. It is thixotropic, meaning it is thick when still but becomes more fluid when shaken or applied, which is ideal for a pourable serum. It's also resistant to acids, bases, and electrolytes, and has a wide pH range (2-10), making it suitable for complex formulations like sunscreen that contain various active ingredients. ThixoGel™ is particularly popular in sunscreen and makeup formulas because it helps suspend powders like mineral UV filters effectively without settling. Note that it requires heat (below 80°C) to dissolve properly. A usage rate of around 1.0% is often recommended for a general gel texture, which you can adjust to achieve your desired serum viscosity.
• Sepimax Zen: This is another highly tolerant thickener and emulsion stabilizer. It is very resistant to salts and pH variations, making it robust for use in diverse formulations. It creates a gel texture in the water phase and is easy to use by simply sprinkling the powder into the liquid and blending. You can adjust the usage rate (typically 0.5-2%) to achieve the desired viscosity, from a light gel to a thicker serum.

These ingredients can help you achieve a stable, pourable serum texture for your sunscreen, providing a different feel compared to the cream texture you got with Light Cream Maker or Milk Lotion Maker.

While SepGEL 305 was also found in the search, it functions primarily as a cream binder and thickener and is sensitive to electrolytes, which might make it less ideal for creating a stable serum texture in a sunscreen formulation compared to ThixoGel™ or Sepimax Zen.

When incorporating the chosen thickener, start with a low recommended usage rate and gradually increase it while mixing until you achieve the desired serum consistency.