Making a Clear Gel Balm with Oils
Question
Hello, I am planning to make a gel balm and would like some expert advice. 1. The gel I want to make includes ingredients like Borneol, Menthol, and Camphor. I also want to add oils such as Plai oil and Kaffir Lime oil for a cooling sensation. 2. I am using Propylene Glycol as a humectant. 3. I am adding a small amount of water-soluble color. I previously tried using Carbomer 940 dissolved in water, mixed with oils, and adding TEA, but the gel texture became cloudy. It turned cloudy immediately upon adding the oils. I would like to ask for advice on which ingredient I should use if I want a clear gel texture. Can I use Oil Thick™ Clear S or Sugar Gel in this case?
Answer
Clear Gel Balm Formulation Advice
Hello! I understand the issue you're facing. Using Carbomer 940, which is a gelling agent for the water phase, often results in cloudiness when oils are added directly without a proper emulsifier. This is because the oil and water phases don't mix well in the Carbomer gel structure.
For making a balm gel that contains oils and requires a clear texture, it's recommended to consider gelling agents specifically designed for the oil phase.
Based on the products you mentioned and our search:
- Sugar Gel: This is a sugar ester powder that creates an oil gel. It provides a clear to translucent gel texture and can incorporate small amounts of water into the oil phase. It's suitable for gel formulations that can contain a small amount of water. It requires heating and a specific mixing procedure involving glycerin and water.
- Oil Thick™ Transparent: This agent is specifically for gelling oils. It creates a clear, high-viscosity oil gel texture and works with almost all types of oils, including LipidSoft™. It is generally easier to use than Sugar Gel, requiring heating and mixing directly into the oil phase. The description also mentions "Oil Thick™ Clear S" as a type that gives a clear oily gel texture.
Therefore, if you want a clear gel texture in your formula containing oils, using either Oil Thick™ Transparent or Sugar Gel instead of Carbomer 940 is recommended. These ingredients act as oil gellants, which will help you achieve the desired clarity in your oil-based gel balm.
