Thickening Agents for Clear Formulations Without Heat

For your clear liquid formulation that needs increased viscosity or thickness without using heat, while remaining transparent, you can consider these types of thickening agents:

• ClearClean™ and ThickClean™: These are Acrylates Crosspolymer based thickeners in liquid form. They are easy to use and do not require heat for mixing. They provide a clear gel texture (ClearClean™ offers higher clarity than ThickClean™) and are suitable for shampoo, liquid soap, or cleanser formulations. They work well in the pH range of 4-6.
• Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC ColdMix™): This is a powder that is soluble in cold water, meaning no heat is needed for mixing. It forms a clear gel and is resistant to electrolytes and a wide pH range (3-11). However, it requires adjusting the pH higher (around 8.5-9.0) to dissolve and thicken before adjusting the pH back to the desired range.
• CarboQuick™: This is a pre-dispersed Carbomer gel that is ready to use. It's a clear, thick gel that can be mixed directly with water without needing to dissolve powder or adjust pH to form the gel. It works well in the pH range of 6-7.
• Carbomer Dead-Skin: This is a Carbomer powder that provides high viscosity. When used at a low rate, it gives a clear gel. It can be mixed in water without heat but requires pH adjustment to thicken. It works well in the pH range of 6-7.

These thickening agents can help you achieve the desired viscosity for your formula while maintaining clarity and allowing for mixing at room temperature.