Mixing Polyquaternium-10 and Adding Essential Oil

1) Dissolving Polyquaternium-10

Polyquaternium-10 is a water-soluble cationic polymer. It is best dissolved directly in the water phase. Attempting to disperse it in the oil phase first is generally not recommended and will likely not help it dissolve properly in water later, as it is not oil-soluble.

To avoid clumping when adding Polyquaternium-10 to water, it is crucial to sprinkle the powder slowly into the vortex of well-agitated water. Continue mixing until the powder is fully hydrated and dissolved.

2) Mixing Speed

The mixing speed should be sufficient to create a vortex that pulls the powder into the water, ensuring even dispersion and preventing clumps. Once dispersed, continue mixing at a moderate speed to allow the polymer to fully hydrate and thicken the solution. High shear mixing can be used initially to help disperse the powder quickly, but prolonged high shear after hydration can sometimes degrade the polymer chain and reduce viscosity. A moderate mixing speed is usually sufficient for the hydration phase.

3) Adding Essential Oil

Adding essential oils directly to a water-based formulation thickened with a polymer like Polyquaternium-10 can indeed cause a loss of viscosity. This is because essential oils are not water-soluble and can interfere with the polymer network that provides thickening.

To properly incorporate essential oils without losing viscosity, you should first solubilize or emulsify the essential oil.

• Solubilization: If you are adding a small amount of essential oil and want a clear product, use a suitable solubilizer (like Polysorbate 20 or PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil) to disperse the essential oil in a small amount of water or the solubilizer itself before adding it to the main water phase.
• Emulsification: If you are creating an emulsion (like a lotion or cream) that contains an oil phase, the essential oil should be added to the oil phase and then emulsified into the water phase using appropriate emulsifiers.

Adding the solubilized or emulsified essential oil should typically be done during the cooling phase of your formulation, after the main emulsion or gel has formed and cooled down, but before adding heat-sensitive ingredients or adjusting the final pH.