Recommended Cold-Process Gelling Agents for Clear Cosmetic Gel Base (Carbomer Alternatives)
Question
I am looking for recommendations for 3-4 cold-process gelling agents suitable for making a clear, water-based gel base for cosmetic formulations.
The required characteristics are:
- Cold Process: Must form a gel without the use of heat.
- Instant Gelling: Should form a clear gel immediately upon adding to water and stirring or blending (similar to a pre-neutralized Carbomer).
- Ease of Use: Preferably requires minimal or no complex pH neutralization steps.
Output: Please recommend 3-4 options, including their suggested usage rates and any necessary precautions or pH adjustment requirements.
Answer
The customer is looking for 3-4 cold-process gelling agents that can create a clear, water-based gel instantly by simply adding to water and stirring, without the need for heat or complex pH neutralization (similar to a pre-neutralized Carbomer).
Here are 4 recommended cold-process gelling agents suitable for clear cosmetic gels, categorized by their ease of use:
1. Easiest Cold-Process (No pH Adjustment Required)
| Product Name | INCI Name | Usage Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CarboQuick™ (Pre-Dispersed Carbomer Gel) (ID 34161) | Water, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol | 3-15% | Best option for instant gelling. This is a pre-dispersed, pre-neutralized Carbomer gel (25% solid). It eliminates the need to dissolve powder and adjust the pH. Simply add to the water phase and mix well to form a clear gel. |
2. Cold-Process with Simple Mixing (No pH Adjustment)
| Product Name | INCI Name | Usage Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Polymer™ (Gel Maker) (ID 234) | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | 0.5-1.0% | A highly effective cold-process gelling agent. Disperse the powder in water and mix until a clear gel forms. It is known for good electrolyte resistance and creating a clear, pudding-like texture at higher concentrations. |
3. Cold-Process Requiring pH Adjustment (Similar to Carbomer Powder)
These options are cold-process but require the addition of an alkali (like Triethanolamine or Sodium Hydroxide) to neutralize and activate the thickening mechanism, similar to traditional Carbomer powder.
| Product Name | INCI Name | Usage Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer) (ID 7994) | Acrylates Copolymer | 1-10% | A liquid thickener that is easy to mix without heat. It requires pH adjustment to the range of pH 6.2-6.6 to activate the gelling. Ideal for clear shampoos, liquid soaps, or cleansers, and can suspend beads. |
| HPMC ColdMix™ (12000cP) (ID 7474) | Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | 0.5-3% | A non-ionic, cold-water soluble powder. Disperse in water, then add alkali to adjust the pH to 8.5-9.0 to melt and thicken into a clear gel. It is excellent for formulas containing high electrolytes. |
