Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating HEC vs Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

  • HEC vs Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose

    Posted by Graillotion on July 1, 2025 at 2:23 am

    Aloha.

    In the last year, I have pretty much switched over to using HEC as my water gelling agent. This due to the fact that I have started periodically using cationic emulsifiers. HEC allows me to just use the same ingredient, no matter what the day holds.

    As I have NEVER been accused nor convicted of being a minimalist or KISS formulator, any structuring ingredient I use, if it can bring some robustness along for the ride…all the better.

    Questions:

    1) For those that have used HEC and Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, have you noticed ANY haptic differences? If so…can you describe.

    2) It is my understanding that Cetyl HEC performs some additional aspects beyond traditional HEC of: some form of (possibly pseudo) emulsifying and forming tight bonds with oil/water interfaces and therefore is more efficient in increasing emulsion stability & shelf life. Has this been your experience?


    I have an opportunity to buy some Cetyl HEC on a close-out, but the minimum is a touch more than I would want to buy of a never before tested ingredient. If the answer is….same haptics as regular HEC… plus said benefits….then I would have no hesitation to buy the minimum. Love to hear your thoughts.


    @ketchito @Bill_Toge @chemicalmatt

    • This discussion was modified 3 weeks ago by  Graillotion.
    • This discussion was modified 3 weeks ago by  Graillotion.
    Graillotion replied 2 weeks, 5 days ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • ketchito

    Member
    July 2, 2025 at 7:42 am

    If I had the budget, I’d use Cetyl HEC. Not only it gives you more stable emulsions (I had some phase separation when using HEC, which was fixed when using Cetyl HEC instead since it interacts more with both phases which HEC doesn’t), it has a more pleasant feel when spreading (not a huge difference, but at least perceivable).

    • Graillotion

      Member
      July 2, 2025 at 1:50 pm

      Thank you…that is the impetus I needed to pull the trigger.

      Aloha.

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