Effect of GlucoBright™ on Propolymer Gel Clarity

You've observed that adding GlucoBright™ (Acetyl Glucosamine) to your gel formula thickened with a propolymer (likely an acrylate crosspolymer) caused the gel to become cloudy. This is a plausible interaction.

• N-Acetyl Glucosamine (GlucoBright™) is a water-soluble ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations.
• Acrylate Crosspolymers (like Carbomer U20 or similar propolymers) are polymers that swell and thicken water when neutralized, forming a gel structure. The clarity of this gel depends on various factors, including the presence of other ingredients.

While GlucoBright™ is water-soluble, adding ingredients, especially at higher concentrations, can sometimes affect the stability and clarity of polymer-based gels. N-Acetyl Glucosamine is a polar molecule and can potentially interact with the charged network of the acrylate crosspolymer. This interaction might disrupt the gel structure, leading to a loss of clarity and causing the cloudy appearance you observed.

Factors that could contribute include:

• Electrolyte effect: N-Acetyl Glucosamine can act similarly to an electrolyte, interfering with the polymer's ability to maintain a clear gel matrix.
• pH changes: Although GlucoBright™ has a neutral pH, its addition might slightly alter the overall pH of your formula, potentially moving it outside the optimal range for your specific propolymer, affecting its clarity.
• Compatibility: Some polymers are more sensitive to certain ingredients than others. Your specific propolymer might have limited compatibility with N-Acetyl Glucosamine at the concentration used.

Based on your observation, it is highly likely that the addition of GlucoBright™ is indeed the cause of the cloudiness in your propolymer-thickened gel due to an interaction affecting the gel's structure or clarity.