Home › Cosmetic Science Talk › Formulating › Request regarding hair gel Formulating Request regarding hair gel Posted by enzinhoo on April 13, 2021 at 8:18 am which ingredient that makes the gum effect OldPerry replied 4 years ago 2 Members · 1 Reply 1 Reply OldPerry Professional Chemist / Formulator April 13, 2021 at 3:37 pm Carbomer is used to thicken up hair gels.Styling polymers like PVP are used to hold hair in place. I’m not sure exactly what you mean by “the gum effect” Log In to Reply Log in to reply. Public All Members Only Me PublicAll MembersOnly Me Public All Members Only Me Log In to Reply Start of Discussion 0 of 0 replies June 2018 Now