Carbomer 940: The Core Secret of Transparent Skincare Formulations

In the world of skincare, we often hear about "natural plant extracts" in advertisements, yet rarely learn about the key ingredients that keep formulations stable and deliver exceptional texture. Carbomer 940 is such a behind-the-scenes hero—though not widely known, it is an indispensable element in crafting high-quality skincare products.

Get to know this white fluffy powder

Carbopol 940 appears as a white, loose powdery substance with a faint distinctive odor and distinct acidic characteristics. It exhibits excellent solubility and can blend well with various solvents such as water, ethanol, and glycerol. In practical applications, the concentration of this ingredient is usually controlled between 0.1% and 3.0% to achieve significant effects. Due to its abundant carboxyl groups in its molecular structure, special attention should be paid to neutralization treatment during use, by adding appropriate alkaline substances to reduce potential irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.

Carbomer

Excellent gel forming ability

The most striking feature of this ingredient is its excellent thickening performance. It can prepare clear and transparent water-based or ethanol water based gel, which makes it popular in high-end cosmetics. Whether it is a moisturizing cream, a refreshing lotion, or a deep cleansing product, you can see its shadow. In the field of sunscreen formula and alcohol free perfume, Carbomer 940 also performs well. In hair care products, it can not only enhance the luster of hair, but also make hair easier to comb.

Key points for selecting and using neutralizing agents

The selection of neutralizing agents is crucial to ensure optimal performance of Carbopol 940. Common neutralizing agents include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, as well as borax or amino acid substances. In non-polar systems, laurylamine and stearylamine are also capable of neutralizing. The properly neutralized carbomer hydrogel can achieve the best viscosity in the pH range of 6 to 11. It should be noted that when the environmental pH value is below 3 or above 12, the viscosity of the system will significantly decrease, and the presence of strong electrolytes will also affect the stability of viscosity.

Precautions during use

In practical applications, there are several key factors that require special attention. If the neutralized carbomer gel undergoes continuous stirring or high shear stirring, the viscosity may decrease. The presence of electrolytes directly affects their thickening efficiency, which needs to be carefully considered in formula design. The effect of ultraviolet radiation can not be ignored. Long term exposure to ultraviolet radiation will reduce the viscosity of gel, but in the environment with pH value greater than 10, this effect will be significantly weakened. It is gratifying to note that the temperature change has relatively little impact on the Carbomer gel, which guarantees the stability of the product under different climatic conditions.

Wide application prospects

Carbopol 940 can produce significant thickening effects at extremely low dosages, with conventional usage only requiring 0.25% to 0.5%. This feature enables it to help R&D personnel create products with different viscosity ranges and rheological properties, from lightweight lotion to rich creams, from refreshing gel to professional transdermal preparations, all of which can find its application.

As an important component of skincare formulas, although Carbopol 940 does not directly provide skincare benefits, it indirectly enhances the overall skincare experience by ensuring product texture stability and comfortable use. Its existence enables every skincare product we use to maintain its ideal form and texture, becoming an indispensable high-quality ingredient in the modern cosmetics industry.

The carbomer sold by Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a very fluffy white powder substance that becomes a viscous transparent substance after preparation. Adding it to various skincare products not only does not affect its effectiveness or appearance, but also has certain benefits. If you have any relevant procurement needs, please click on our official website to learn more details or contact us!