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  • Problem with creating a Peeling gel with carbomer

    Posted by asafvarlix on January 12, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    Hey ya’ll 
    i’d be happy for some help on this matter:
    I’m creating a “Peeling gel” that aggregrates while dried on the skin. 
    Further reading
    revelaed the carbomber reacts with cetrmonium chloride to yield sediments that help peeling the skin (or something like this…)
     & while im not sure about its peeling efficiency, i have some problelms
    i’d be happy for your insight:

    Phase A
    Water Q.S   
    3% propylene glycol
    3% glycerin
    Carbomer 1%
    PVA 0.2%
    Cetrimonium chloride 5%

    phase B
    Tween 20  1%
    SDA 40     1%
    Peg 40 castor oil
    % of extracts (angel dusting…)

    Phase C
    TEA   0.8%

    So, the reaction works (between carbomber / Cetrimonium chloride)
    I do reach a nice gel, (at pH 2.5) that aggregates, but when i try raising the pH to 5.4, the gel completly sepperates under stirring. obliterated by creating nasty chunks and giant clumps. Horrifying.
    My problem is that the pH should be 5.4

    1. Does someone know why the homogenous gel being destroyed while trying to neutralize it with TEA ? 

    2. I’ve though about changing the CTAC (Cetrimonium chloride) to pottasium cetyl phosphate, do you think it’ll work?

    3. Finaly, how does this “carbomer / Cetrimonium chloride” reaction happens?  Is it connected to the chloride ions of Cetrimonium chloride that aggregates the carbomer?

    Any help would be very welcomed,
    Sincerely

    Dr Catherine Pratt replied 4 years, 11 months ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Dr Catherine Pratt

    Member
    January 16, 2020 at 5:50 pm
    I think you need to add a buffer early on in the reaction and carbomer can easily break apart. You can buy carbomers now that have already been neutralised, try that, then what type of mixing are you doing? Did you let the carbomer swell first? it may not be coping with so much chloride. Up the carbomer and get that right first! and change your alkali from TEA to NaOH? just thinking out loud..if you use a 30% NaOH solution you should only need a few drops which may not break your gel.
    lots of things to experiment with, keep going you will get there….
  • asafvarlix

    Member
    January 20, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    Hey Dr., thanks a lot. the carbomer which im using lowers the pH to right at the begining. to 2.4, i assume you meant i’ll neutralize it (it’s no hassle…) beforehand….? i can try….not sure if i’ll remain with a clear gel though…

    2. i add the carbomer slowly & gradually to the beaker while fast over-stirring it, and then subsequently i homoginze it and continue to stirr it untill it’ll swell and wet (takes about 40 minuts at RT) - so yes, i let the carbomer swell firt.

    3. May i ask - what is the advantage of such a concectrated NaOH solution that you proposed? I thought the idea is to increase its overal solution volume  - so it’ll get everywhere in the mixer faster- thus entrapping less bubbles.

    I’ll do try tomorrow the pre-neutralizing method that you mentioned.
    and yes, electrolites and carbomer were never friends…that’s why i was surprised when i needed to create this product..i’ll try raising the carbomer

  • Dr Catherine Pratt

    Member
    January 21, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    The hydroxide is quicker & you only need a few drops otherwise you can put in 20m L of TEA but you don’t want to add that much liquid to your formula. That’s why they say qs 

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