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Improving Dispersion in Gels/Emulsions with Granulated Carbomer

Evonik Goldschmidt GmbH has introduced a granulated carbomer to improve dispersion in cosmetic or pharmaceutical emulsions and gels.

Comparatively Speaking: Carbomer vs. Alkyl Carbomer

Tony O’Lenick looks to Sergio R.S. Costa, of Chemflex Quimica, to explain the difference between carbomer, a series of polymers of acrylic acid, and alkyl carbomer, copolylmerized acrylic acid and alkyl acrylate.

Silicone Copolymer for Wetting, Emulsifying in Hair Care

NuSil Technology LLC has launched a water-soluble, silicone-glycol copolymer that functions as a wetting agent and emulsifier in hair care formulations.

Comparatively Speaking: Fatty Alcohols vs. Fatty Acids vs. Esters

In the present discussion of fatty alcohols, fatty acids and esters, Tony O’Lenick recruits Ismail Walele of Phoenix Chemical to explain the differences between them.

Polymers in Personal Care

Polymer use began in the 1800s with cellulose derivatives, the vulcanization of rubber, and styrene synthesis; but in reality, it started more than four million years ago with the formation of DNA and proteins. Polymers are a diverse class of chemistry. By definition, they are large molecules made up of chains or rings of linked monomer units—simple reactive building blocks. Smaller molecules or monomers are combined to form polymers that possess a characteristic chain structure of multiple repeating units that can be related or different.

Comparatively Speaking: Natural- vs. Oxo- vs. Ziegler-derived Alcohols

Tony O'Lenick explores the difference between fatty alcohols derived naturally and those derived through the oxo process and the Ziegler process.

Thickening Challenging Surfactant Systems

Noveon Consumer Specialties has introduced a hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsion polymer for surfactant systems that are difficult to thicken.

Liquid Polymer Stabilizer/Conditioner for Hair and Skin

Cognis has launched a liquid polymer dispersion that functions as both a stabilizer and a conditioner and imparts sensory properties in hair and skin care applications.

Bring Food to the Soul of your O/W Emulsion with a Dual Rheology Stabilizing System

Cosmetic emulsions can be stabilized via bulk rheology and interfacial rheology by using a unique synergistic blend of two polysaccharides in a technology derived from the food industry.

Formulating with Surfactant Silicones

The authors describe how the use of amphiphilic silicones or surfactant silicones has allowed formulators to efficiently incorporate silicone polymers into personal care products. These materials act by lowering the surface tension in the oil phase of a formulation, allowing for easier spreading on skin and hair.

Unrefined shea butter

Shea Butter Emulsifier for Aqueous Formulations

This patent-pending, natural shea butter allows formulators to add high levels of shea functionalities including emoliency and unsaponifiables (6-8%) to aqueous formulations between 1-20%.

Guar-derived Thickener for Antibacterial Gels

A naturally derived guar thickener from Rhodia has been designed to assist formulators with the creation hydro-alcoholic antibacterial solutions with moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, to leave hands clean and soft.

Naturally-derived, Non-ethoxylated Emulsifiers for Natural Products

Colonial Chemical Inc. has created naturally-derived, non-ethoxylated emulsifiers for natural product applications, specifically for 1,4-dioxane-free formulations.

Synthetic Copolymers as Rheology Modifiers for Personal Care Formulations

This article describes the mechanisms of acrylate and polyurethane copolymers used as rheology modifiers. It gives examples of their use, and suggests new uses in emulsification and in suspending particles in clear formulations.

New Cellulose Derivatives in Personal Care Formulations

Hydrophobic modified cellulose ethers can be used to thicken formulations containing high concentrations of anionic surfactants by adding nonionic surfactants to the system. Implications are shown for liquid soaps and hair shampoos.

Cationic Emulsifiers: A Most Underutilized Category

Cosmetic chemists have at their disposal a seemingly endless supply of emulsifiers from which to choose. By far, the most popular category of emulsifiers is “soap"–the reaction product between a fatty acid typically stearic acid) and an alkali earth metal (typically sodium hydroxide, occasionally potassium hydroxide).

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Choosing Thickening Agents for Emulsions, Part I: Water Phase Thickeners

As readers of this column certainly must by now know, emulsion stabilization is a favorite topic of mine. A key component of every emulsion is the thickener or, more properly, a thickener system that is employed.

Fluid Gels Based On Natural Polymers For Cosmetic Applications

Varying the concentration of two polymers – xanthan gum and konjac mannan – mixed in solution and subjected to shear while cooling yields fluid gels whose viscosity can vary from a pourable solution to a spreadable gel.