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Aqua SF-1…when to add the cationic guar?
I want to incorporate cationic guar into my body wash but I’m not sure exactly when to add it since I am using Aqua SF-1 (acrylates copolymer).
The following is from the Aqua SF-1 datasheet which says to add cationics after the surfactants in step 5:
Add Carbopol® Aqua SF-1 polymer to the
(deionized) free water of the formulation.
❷ Add primary surfactants. (Example: lauryl
sulfates, lauryl ether sulfates.)
❸ Neutralize to pH 6.2 – 6.6.
❹ Add remaining surfactants. (Example:
amphoterics.)
❺ Add conditioning and ancillary ingredients.
(Example: silicones, cationics, EDTA.)
❻ If desired, add pearlizing ingredients.
(Example: mica, EGDS, EGMS.)
❼ Add fragrance, dyes and preservatives.
❽ If desired, decrease pH. (This will increase
efficiency; citric acid is suggested.)
Now typically I have to mix guar for quite a long time to dissolve it, but i try to mix everything as little and as gently as possible when working with aqua sf-1 so as not to introduce bubbles. I don’t think I can properly mix and dissolve guar into the the solution after aqua sf-1 is neutralized without producing an unacceptable amount of bubbles.
So I guess my question is, could I get away with adding the guar before any of the surfactants and before I neutralize the sf-1? Or is there some method to doing this that I’m not seeing?
Thanks.
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2 Replies
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@GeorgeBenson If you’re making a body wash and you want to work with both materials, some bubbles will be formed. Trust me, it’s better to have some bubbles (that would be released anyway after one day) than ha ing things not mixed properly. You could eventually heat your water so formed bubbles could be released, but again, don’t stressed up about bubbles. Carbopol Aqua SF-1 is actually easier to work with than Carbopol 980 (which I use), so you could either add it at the start (and premix your Guar to be added after surfactants), or you could switch places and add Aqua SF-1 later on.
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You will probably achieve your best results if you first add your Guar to the water phase before you add any other ingredients. Check to see if your Guar requires lowering the pH to 4.0 activate it. If so, add a pH adjuster (citric or lactic acid) and let your Guar hydrate. Better if your Guar does not need an acidic pH ajustment to hydrate.
Once the Guar is incorporated, add the Aqua SF-1, then your main anionic surfactant and proceed as usual. Depending on the surfactant you are using, you may or may not need to adjust the pH to 6.5 with a pH adjuster to activate thickening of the Aqua SF-1.
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