INNOMETICS Problem Solver: Gelling Agents & Instabilities
Have you ever been frustrated by unstable emulsions, an unpleasant skin feel, or crystallization in your products? In our "INNOMETICS Problem Solvers" series, we aim to regularly provide you with innovative suggestions for problem-solving raw materials.
Our goal is to support you in mastering typical challenges in cosmetic formulation. The focus is on common issues such as instability, the whitening of emulsions, unsatisfactory skin feel, crystallization of fats, insufficient richness, or even preservation problems.
In this blog post, we are dedicating ourselves entirely to the topic of instabilities and gelling agents and showing you which raw materials you can use to not only ensure the stability of your products but also develop new, exciting textures. Gelling agents make formulations not only safer but also more aesthetic and functional!
Xanthan Sense
In natural cosmetic formulations in particular, xanthan is very frequently used as a gelling agent to stabilize emulsions and give them more viscosity. With Xanthan Sense, you will find a vegan xanthan variant in our range that is less sticky and offers a silky, fluid flow behavior. Products with xanthan feel very fresh and light, but tend to "pill" if too much xanthan is used.
Sepinov WEO
A gelling agent of synthetic origin with excellent co-emulsifying and stabilizing properties. It can create very high-viscosity cream-gels and provides a rich, enveloping skin feel. Sepinov WEO is sensitive to acids and electrolytes, however, and thins out significantly in their presence. This should be taken into account when preserving!
Sepinov WEO is the ideal choice for increased emulsion stability and when the main emulsifier needs to be reduced.
Sepimax Zen
Another synthetic gelling agent with excellent emulsifying properties. It provides a more gel-like consistency than Sepinov WEO and ensures a fresher skin feel. In return, Sepimax Zen is very tolerant of interfering substances and can be combined with other gelling agents to compensate for their weaknesses.
Sepimax Zen is the ideal stabilizer for thin or sprayable emulsions or when electrolytes or acids are used.
Instabond Velvet
Actually a natural, modified corn starch, this gelling agent can create very high-viscosity, pudding-like gels that can feel velvety or even dry. It is also good in combination with other gelling agents when the oiliness of emulsions needs to be reduced. It is non-ionic and can therefore also be used in hair conditioners in combination with cationic emulsifiers.
Instabond Velvet is excellent for matting or velvety-soft formulations as well as for conditioners.
Agasilk
Not actually a consistency-giving gelling agent, but a natural additive that improves the skin feel and application sensation, allowing products to glide better on the skin. In addition, it has a tightening and matting effect at higher usage concentrations.
Agasilk can enrich any formulation, especially if the application feel is to be improved or a "tightening" sensation on the skin is desired.
With the right selection of gelling agents, you can not only ensure the stability of your emulsions but also optimize the skin feel and texture of your products. In the coming months, we will introduce more exciting problem-solving raw materials – so stay tuned!