Thickeners for Body Wash Without NaCl

To thicken your body wash formula without using Sodium Chloride (NaCl), you can use alternative polymeric thickeners specifically designed for surfactant systems like shampoos and liquid soaps. Based on your formula containing SLES and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, the following options are suitable:

• ClearClean™ (Acrylates Crosspolymer): This is a liquid thickening agent that works well in shampoo and liquid soap formulations. It creates a clear gel texture and can help suspend beads or pigments. It is effective in the pH range of 4-6, which is suitable for skin-friendly body wash formulas. It is easy to mix, although preheating to 60-70°C can aid dissolution.

• ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer): Similar to ClearClean™, ThickClean™ is also an Acrylates Crosspolymer liquid thickener for shampoo/liquid soap. It provides a clear to medium-clear texture and also works in the pH range of 4-6. It functions similarly to ClearClean™ and is a good alternative, especially if high glass-like clarity is not the primary requirement.

• EasyThick™ (POLYOXYETHYLENE GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE): This product is designed for thickening shampoos and liquid soaps, providing a clear texture and ease of use. It requires heating to at least 80°C to dissolve properly into the formula.

These thickeners work differently from NaCl, which relies on the micelle structure of surfactants. Polymeric thickeners like ClearClean™ and ThickClean™ create a gel network through cross-linkage, while EasyThick™ is a non-ionic thickener that interacts with the surfactant system to build viscosity. Choose the one that best fits your desired clarity, processing capabilities (heating requirement), and budget.

Remember to follow the specific usage instructions and recommended percentages for each thickener to achieve the desired viscosity in your body wash formula.