Gel Builders That Don't Leave Sticky Residue

You've experienced a common issue with some gel builders like Xanthan Gum and HEC, where they can leave a sticky or clumpy residue on the skin after the water evaporates. This happens because the polymer forms a film on the skin surface.

To avoid this, you can consider alternative gel-forming agents that are known for a cleaner, non-tacky feel upon drying. Based on your requirement for a clear gel that doesn't leave residue, here are a few options:

• AnyGel™ (Dehydroxanthan Gum): This ingredient is specifically noted for providing a gel texture with a non-greasy feel that absorbs instantly and dries to the skin without leaving a greasy residue, unlike some other gelling agents.
• Pro Polymer™ Silk (Polyquaternium 37): This gel maker provides a soft and smooth feel on the skin and is described as non-sticky, offering a better surface feel compared to standard Pro Polymer.
• Pro Polymer™ (ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER): This was suggested by the staff. While it might give a slightly sticky feeling initially for about 30 seconds, it dries to a thin coating and is known for good electrolyte resistance.

Additionally, you could consider using a detackifier additive in your formulation to specifically address the sticky feeling:

• WaterSil™ 8/12: This is a blend designed to reduce tackiness in clear, water-based gels. It helps provide a silky-smooth sensation and reduces the sticky after-feel when added to gel formulations.

Experimenting with these different gel builders or incorporating a detackifier like WaterSil™ 8/12 should help you achieve a scar gel formulation that dries cleanly without the undesirable sticky residue or clumps.