Carbopol 940: The Secret Weapon for Creating Excellent Skincare Formulas

Carbopol 940, as an efficient cosmetic ingredient, plays a key role in the development of skincare products due to its unique properties. Below, we will delve into its characteristics, applications, and precautions to help you better utilize this multifunctional polymer.

1, Basic characteristics and solubility performance

Carbopol 940 appears as a white, loose powder with a faint, distinctive odor. It is acidic and hygroscopic. It can dissolve in water, ethanol, and glycerol. Due to the presence of a large number of carboxyl groups in its molecules, direct use may cause irritation to the skin or mucous membranes, so it needs to be neutralized with alkali before application. The neutralized gel achieves the best viscosity between pH 6 and 11.

Carbomer powder

2, Neutralizer selection and gel stability

It is crucial to choose appropriate alkaline substances as neutralizing agents, including sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium bicarbonate, borax, amino acids, and polar organic amines such as triethanolamine. In non-polar systems, laurylamine and stearylamine can also be used as neutralizing agents. It is worth noting that the neutralized Carbomer gel is easy to grow mold and lose viscosity quickly under light, so an appropriate amount of antioxidant needs to be added to maintain stability. To prevent bacteria and mold from utilizing the nutrients in the system for reproduction, it is recommended to control the dosage or add preservatives as appropriate, and store the product in a dark place.

3, Thickening efficiency and wide application

Carbomer 940 is famous for its highly effective thickening ability. It can form clear and transparent water or ethanol hydrogel at very low dosage, and endows the product with unique short rheology. This makes it an ideal choice for all kinds of cosmetics, such as moisturizing cream, lotion, facial cleanser, sunscreen formula, alcohol free perfume and essence hair conditioner. It not only enhances the luster and smoothness of hair, but also helps to prepare lotion, creams, gel and transdermal preparations with different viscosity ranges and rheological properties to meet the diversified market needs.

4, Key points in use

Carbopol is a highly hydrophilic anionic polymer with low viscosity. During neutralization, with the gradual dissolution of macromolecules, the viscosity increases steadily. At low concentrations, clear solutions can be obtained, while at high concentrations, translucent gel can be formed. The gel exhibits maximum viscosity and consistency in the pH range of 6.5 to 7. Usually, about 1.35 grams of triethanolamine are needed to neutralize 1 gram of carbomer. However, it should be noted that triethanolamine, as an alkalizing agent, should not be used at a maximum concentration exceeding 2.5%, and should be avoided from being used with nitrosating agents or formaldehyde preservatives to prevent skin irritation or sensitive reactions.

During preparation, do not add soluble salts, strong acidic substances (such as lemonade or vinegar) or high concentration of vitamin C at will, otherwise, the gel system will rapidly dilute. In addition, prolonged or high shear mixing may cause viscosity loss. Although hyaluronic acid and slightly acidic hydrosol have a relatively small impact on the system and can be safely used, carbomer itself has no nutrients and cannot inhibit bacterial or fungal growth, so hygiene and storage conditions should be taken into account.

Carbomer gel

The carbomer sold by Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a very fluffy white powder substance that becomes a viscous transparent substance after preparation. Adding it to various skincare products not only does not affect its effectiveness or appearance, but also has certain benefits. If you have any relevant procurement needs, please click on our official website to learn more details or contact us!