Cream Gel: Definition and Formulation Types
Asked by: siwarin.e
On: October 13, 2016
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Question
What is the technical definition of "cream gel"? Are the following two formulation types considered "cream gel"?
- A gel created with a gel-forming agent (like
Pro Polymer) that also contains oil. - An oil-in-water (
O/W) emulsion that uses a gel-forming agent as a thickener.
Answer
"Cream gel" is primarily a marketing term and does not have a strict technical definition in cosmetic science. Generally, it refers to a product that has a gel-like texture but often appears white or creamy, unlike typical clear gels.
Based on this understanding, both types of formulations you described could potentially be marketed as "cream gel":
- A gel created with a gel-forming agent (like Pro Polymer) that also contains oil.
- An oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion that uses a gel-forming agent as a thickener.
The key is the resulting texture and appearance, which combines characteristics of both a gel and a cream.