Adding Oil to Pro Polymer Alcohol Gel
Question
I understand that using `Pro Polymer` as a gelling agent in an `alcohol` gel formula might make the gel slightly sticky, so a small amount of oil should be added.
I would like to ask:
1. What percentage of oil should be added?
2. At which step should the oil be added? Can it be dissolved with the `alcohol` directly, or is another emulsifier needed?
Answer
Adding Oil to Pro Polymer Alcohol Gel
Adding a small amount of oil to an alcohol gel thickened with Pro Polymer can help reduce stickiness and improve the skin feel. Here are answers to your questions:
1. Recommended Oil Percentage
Start with a low percentage of oil, such as 1-5%. You can adjust this amount based on the desired texture and feel of the final gel. Adding too much oil without a proper emulsifier can lead to instability and separation.
2. Mixing Procedure and Emulsifier
Pro Polymer is typically dispersed in the water or water/alcohol phase to form the gel. Once the gel is formed and smooth, you can slowly add the oil while stirring continuously.
While Pro Polymer can help incorporate a small amount of oil into the gel structure, it is not a primary emulsifier. For better stability, especially if using more than a few percent of oil or if you observe separation over time, you may need to use a suitable emulsifier or solubilizer that is compatible with both the oil and the high alcohol content.
Mixing the oil directly with the alcohol before adding to the gel might help initial dispersion, but it does not replace the need for an emulsifier for long-term stability in a water/alcohol/oil system.
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