Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Skin Ink Thickeners

  • Ink Thickeners

    Posted by Stephen on May 27, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I’ve been trying to thicken some pigments.  Previously we used xanthan gum, but with the new line of pigments, it isn’t getting the job done.  The xanthan gum makes it clump and harden.  Additionally, if I apply the pigment to my skin, the pigment will bleed out from where I applied it.  Is this just indicative of the pigment not being viscous enough?  If anyone can recommend another thickener, or can help solve the problem of the pigment bleeding out, that would be very appreciated.  Thanks!

    Bobzchemist replied 8 years, 11 months ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    May 27, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    I need a whole lot more detail before I can help. Please post all the formula details that you can

    First, let me clarify something. By definition, a pigment is a dry, colored powder that is insoluble in a particular solvent. It sounds like you are talking about a material that is composed of a pigment dispersed in water, which you then thicken by adding xanthan gum.
    So, the first question that comes to my mind is - have you tried using more xanthan gum? 

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