Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Thickening of Carbomer in Witch Hazel water with ethanol and methyl paraben.

  • Thickening of Carbomer in Witch Hazel water with ethanol and methyl paraben.

    Posted by Sapphire on November 18, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    What is the best way to thicken Carbomer in a witch Hazel formulation also containing ethanol. Is it better to use a homogeniser to mix in the Carbomer to help it thicken? Does adding sodium hydroxide help?

    oldman20 replied 5 months ago 4 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • Perry44

    Administrator
    November 19, 2023 at 7:49 am

    You don’t use a homogenizer with Carbomer. You don’t want to use Sodium Hydroxide as the sodium can interfere with the working of the carbomer. You need to use something like Triethanolamine or AMP to neutralize the carbomer.

    • oldman20

      Member
      December 6, 2023 at 9:24 pm

      what’s mean of sodium can interfere with the working of the carbomer? can u more clearly? i ussually use sodium hydroxide as thickener floor cleaner ( carbomer ez4) instead TEA

      • fareloz

        Member
        December 18, 2023 at 5:01 am

        Metal ions can break polymers like Carbomer. That’s why many polymers are advertised by showing viscosity with added table salt (NaCl)

        • oldman20

          Member
          December 19, 2023 at 2:20 am

          it’s mean need use both carbomer with salt (like NaCl) together to ensure viscosity?

    • Sapphire

      Member
      December 16, 2023 at 4:33 am

      Thanks, Perry

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