Sepinov WEO

Gelling Agent/Co-Emulsifier
A gelling agent with co-emulsifying and extremely stabilizing properties.

INCI

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Article number
HY006

Characteristics

For emulsions that always turn out perfectly!

Gelling agents are used as thickeners or, often, to stabilize emulsions by trapping small fat droplets in the water phase, thereby preventing their coalescence or general "creaming."

Sepinov WEO is predestined for this purpose as it also acts as a co-emulsifier and can effectively hold the fat droplets in place. Even the smallest amounts, such as 0.1%, increase the stability of an emulsion, although no noticeable consistency is achieved at this concentration. It can even incorporate relatively high amounts of oil without any additional emulsifier. A test confirmed up to 35% oil (MCT oil) in a gel with 1.5% Sepinov WEO!

Sepinov WEO is a gelling agent of predominantly synthetic origin (15% natural content), which is nonetheless biodegradable and not classified as microplastic. "WEO" stands for "without ethylene oxide", meaning the product contains no additional polyethylene oxide (PEG)-based emulsifier. This is often the case with other similar products to increase self-emulsifying properties and stabilization. This means that Sepinov WEO functions more as a co-emulsifier than a sole emulsifier. Nevertheless, it is possible to produce completely emulsifier-free emulsions with it, even without heating using the cold process.

Unlike many natural gelling agents, Sepinov WEO has a strong consistency-giving effect and creates firm, rather pasty gels. It is therefore excellently suited for the production of creamy emulsions and light cream-gels. At lower usage concentrations, it is also possible to create lotion-like textures while still achieving perfect stability. Furthermore, it works across a wide pH range of 3–12.

Gels with Sepinov WEO are not transparent and feel less light and silky than, for example, xanthan-based gels. Instead, they have a delicately enveloping effect and leave a soft skin feel similar to a second skin. Due to its good stabilizing effect, feather-light creams with a high water content can be created, which allow for a fresh and moisturizing sensation.

Unlike other gelling agents, Sepinov WEO should not be dispersed in glycols or alcohol, but simply in the oil phase. It should not be heated for long, however, but added to the liquid oil phase at the end, which is then added to the water phase. If Sepinov WEO is used as the sole emulsifier to emulsify an oil phase, it is recommended to start homogenizing immediately as soon as the water and fat phases are combined! The thickening effect of Sepinov WEO increases linearly with the usage concentration up to 1.5%. After that, the effect subsides somewhat and only increases again at a usage concentration above 2%. Although it is generally stable, the consistency may decrease if salts are used in the formulation. This is the case, for example, when using Preblend Aqua or calcium pantothenate. However, it is not suitable for use as a thickener in surfactant products, as it no longer acts as a thickener in the presence of surfactants. Sepinov WEO is, like many gelling agents, anionic and should therefore not be used with cationic surfactants and emulsifiers. This is usually the case in hair care products—e.g., Careblend Supreme.

Usage concentration and processing

• 0.2 - 1% for stabilizing and thickening emulsions
  
• 1 - 1.5% as a (co-)emulsifier and consistency giver for gel-creams
• disperse in the oil phase (before combining with the water phase)
• alternatively, can also be mixed directly into the water phase (lumps will dissolve after a few minutes of stirring)

Features at a glance

• versatile thickener
  
• creates consistent, cloudy gels
• co-emulsifying and extremely stabilizing
• emulsions turn out much more easily
• enables emulsifier-free emulsions or the reduction of emulsifiers
• synthetic origin, but biodegradable and not microplastic
• contains no PEG-emulsifier (for PEG-free concepts)
  
• anionic (do not use with cationic emulsifiers!)

Sunscreen recipe "Summer Sun" click

Contained in the following framework formulations