Issues with TaraGel (Precipitation, Pilling) and Usage Recommendations

Based on your observations and the staff's feedback regarding TaraGel:

1. Precipitation with DI Water: The settling you observed after mixing TaraGel with DI water might be due to incomplete hydration of the TaraGel powder rather than the gel breaking down. While the staff's tests didn't show precipitation, ensuring thorough mixing (especially high-shear) during and after the heating phase is crucial for complete hydration and preventing undissolved particles from settling.
2. Pilling in Cream Formulation: The pilling issue in your cream containing 2% TaraGel, Matrixyl 3000, and Argireline is likely caused by the high concentration of TaraGel interacting with the other ingredients, particularly the peptides. Gellants can sometimes cause pilling at higher concentrations or when incompatible with other formula components. As the staff suggested, TaraGel is often more suitable as a stabilizer in creams rather than the primary gellant for a clear gel base. For formulations like yours, especially those with peptides, a lower concentration of TaraGel or an alternative gellant like Xanthan Gum (around 1%) might yield better results and prevent pilling.

To avoid these issues, ensure complete hydration of TaraGel during preparation and consider using it at lower concentrations or opting for alternative gellants in formulations where pilling occurs, as recommended by the staff.