Thickener Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) 30 g

Perfect gelling agent and thickener for making clear gels 

Hydroxyethylcellulose is a natural polymer derived from wood and cotton. It looks like a fine white to beige powder with no particular odour, which allows the manufacturer to create crystal clear gels, serums and other cosmetic products. The main advantages of gels created with this thickener are stability, homogeneity, smoothness and ease of dissolution. It allows to create gels of various viscosities: from flowing semi-gels at an input of up to 0.5 % to dense gels at a maximum concentration of 3 %. 

Characteristics of the component and specifics of use

INCI: Hydroxyethylcellulose

Appearance: white to slightly coloured powder

Viscosity of 1% solution: 3400-5000 mPa.s

Dosage (percentage of input into cosmetics): 0.2 - 2.5% (on average used in a dosage of 0.15 - 3%)

• up to 2.5% as a thickener and stabiliser
• 0.2 - 1.5% as a texturising agent in cleansing formulas.

Solubility: in water

Peculiarities of use: the recommended pH level for finished products should be within the range of 2.0 - 12.0, but at pH below 5.0 the viscosity of the resulting gel may decrease. To accelerate the creation of aqueous gels, it is recommended to disperse GEC in water and raise the pH to 8.5, and after obtaining the desired consistency, the acidity level can be adjusted. Allows the creation of aqueous-alcoholic gels.

Storage: long-term storage is recommended in a dry, dark, cool place and tightly closed packaging.

HEC compatibility

Due to the non-ionic nature of HEC, it can be used to thicken various solutions: aqueous, aqueous-alcoholic, salt-saturated solutions. It is compatible with chlorides, nitrates and carbonates, with most surfactants, polar organic solvents, other water-soluble synthetic and natural polymers (mechanical properties of chitosan are significantly improved in a mixture with hydroxyethylcellulose), worse - with sulphates and phosphates of alkali and alkaline-earth metals and ammonium. It does not crystallise.
 

How to make a gel with Hydroxyethylcellulose

To form a stable gel based on HEC, you need to add it to water in small portions with constant stirring. The swelling time of the thickener can vary between 30-60 minutes. You should not add a new batch of thickener after 10 minutes because your gel didn't seem thick enough. After such a short period of time, you will not see the final viscosity of the finished gel. In order to speed up the thickening process, you can add GEC to warm water of 25-40 C. The pH level also affects the gelation rate: the ideal environment is a neutral pH. In an acidic environment, the thickening process is slower. However, do not add thickener in hot water or at too high a pH, as this can lead to lumps. Once you have a homogeneous gel, you can warm it and adjust the pH.

• To give the aqueous phase viscosity and stability: 0.1% - 0.5% 
• To obtain a thick crystal clear gel: 1.0% -2.5%.
   

How to make hydroxyethylcellulose aqueous-alcohol gel

It is recommended to add hydroxyethyl cellulose powder to the aqueous phase, followed by 1/3 of the formulation alcohol and mix until evenly dispersed. The pH should then be brought to 8.0 to accelerate dissolution and increase viscosity. Stir constantly and then slowly add the remaining alcohol in small portions, mixing until homogeneous between each addition.
 

Hydroxyethylcellulose in cosmetics: properties and applications

Making cosmetics based on thickeners is a new popular wave in the cosmetics market. Every day, people are increasingly buying serums and gels for daily use. Therefore, it is important to make the right choice among the wide range of thickeners. For example, hydroxyethyl cellulose will allow you, above all, to create an environmentally friendly and harmless product, as it is biodegradable without the formation of harmful substances. Its natural origin provides gentle skin care, and it is particularly popular in the manufacture of products for oily skin, as it absorbs fat "like a water sponge".

HEC is a multifunctional thickener: it is used to make crystal clear gels and serums, dense hair styling gels, and is used as a thickening element in the water phase of creams to make them more stable. However, this gelator is not an emulsifier and will not bind water and oil. Aristoflex AVC, which can bind up to 15% of oil and water, is excellent for such purposes.

The most common uses of hydroxyethyl cellulose are in the following types of products:

• in facial and eye cosmetics
• in personal care products
• in hair products
• in detergents
• in makeup products
• in the creation of alcohol-based hand sanitizers
• in toothpastes and oral care products
• in the manufacture of deodorants
• in children's cosmetics.
   

Why should you buy cellulose thickener HEC?

Now we will list a number of advantages that you will receive when working with this thickener:

• produces crystal clear gels
• thickens water and allows you to achieve different gel viscosity
• corrects the density of the cream when added to the aqueous phase
• stabilizes emulsions of the O/W type
• has a high moisture-retaining function
• has a sebum-regulating effect on the skin
• creates a barely noticeable polymer film that gives a feeling of smoothness after use
• does not irritate the skin and does not cause allergies
• resistant to salts and alcohols in the composition
• exhibits excellent compatibility with various surfactants, polyethylene glycols, starches, dextrins, cationites, etc.
• creates transparent gel with water/alcohol, water/glycerin mixtures
• can understand foaming.

It seems to us that such an impressive list of advantages has convinced you to order GEC with fast delivery to any city in Ukraine.

Safety: Generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. The CIR Panel noted that in addition to its use in cosmetics and personal care products, hydroxyethylcellulose is widely used in pharmaceutical and industrial products. It may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in the European Union in accordance with the general requirements of the EU Cosmetics Directive.

Other trade names: Natrosol 250, Hydroxyethyl Celluloses HEC, Celopre, Espesante, Cellosize, Vida-care HEC, Tylose H.

Handmade cosmetics recipes, formulas and reviews

It is very difficult to create your own correct recipes if you are new to cream maker. And we are ready to help you with this. Go to the YouTube channel Beurre Cosmetic Kitchen, where we have already developed many recipes for handmade cosmetics and share the technology for making cosmetics with our own hands. And also you can check Blog from Beurre, where we share useful information about creating the right natural cosmetics.