Topically, it has been used in lotions as a soothing agent, oil-in-water emulsifier, and as astringent. Acacia Senegal gum is used externally to cover inflamed surfaces like bums or nodular leprosy.
Thickener
Thickeners are specialized viscosity-modifying ingredients added to obtain a required viscosity. Modern high-performance thickeners for aqueous, oil-based, and surfactant systems provide effective and efficient thickening at a minimal 0.5-2% use.
Mild and naturally derived thickeners are preferable. Some are even more effective than conventional thickeners and leave a pleasing residual feel, and they don't need neutralization.
There are hard-to-thicken formulations, such as those with high salt or Sarcosinate content or pH values, which need specialized ingredients effective at low concentrations. The modern personal care ingredients industry offers a wide range of thickeners that are able to function in almost any formulation.
Acrylates Copolymer is a milky-white liquid, a low-viscosity cross-linked acrylic polymer. It has excellent suspending, stabilizing, and thickening properties, preferably within a pH range between 6.3 and 8, but also continues to thicken up to pH 11.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a universal, exceptionally easy-to-disperse polymer that offers the formulation flexibility of a multi-use rheological additive and a wide range of performance properties.
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer is a highly adsorptive polymer with the highest surface area and intruded volume of any ingredient in its class. It is a fine white powder insoluble in water.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer is a white powder, a pre-neutralized hydrophobically modified sulfonic acid copolymer used as an emulsion stabilizer with the ability to stabilize high levels of oils.
Aristoflex AVC is a synthetic polymer, a member of a polyester family, based on amidosulphuric acid. It is the secret behind the new lightness of creams in tubes and jars. In addition, the polymer gives consistency to care products, or, as experts term it is a rheology modifier.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be derived from coconut and is used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent. It is considered to be gentle and effective.
The honeybee produces an organic skincare ingredient, beeswax, which contains a mixture of fatty acids and esters. It is used in a range of organic skincare products as a thickener and emulsifier.
Behenyl alcohol is a long chain linear fatty alcohol (with 22 carn atoms) derived from natural raw materials such as rapeseed or coconut oils. It is a waxy solid at room temperature used in skin and hair care formulations as a thickener, emulsifier, binding agent, solubilizer, and gallant.
Bentonite is one of the smectite clays with multiple beneficial properties and effects on the skin.
Brookswax P is a non-ionic self-emulsifying wax based on cetyl, stearyl alcohols, and ethoxylated sorbitan ester. It has an approximate HLB of 8, making it ideal for forming stable o/w emulsions with mineral oil and other commonly used hydrophobic emollients.
Carbomers are acrylic polymers used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, or thickener in skincare formulations. Its viscosity-building effect makes it suitable for use as a co-stabilizer in skincare applications, while its crystal clear appearance also makes it ideal for use in hair gels.
Cellulose is the primary component of green plants. It is an organic polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) derived from beta-glucose and is used in conjunction with a marine focus as a natural exfoliating agent.
Cera Alba is a beeswax obtained from the product excreted by certain glands of the honeybee from which the honeycomb is made. It is freed of solid impurities by melting and centrifugation (cera flava). Finally, cera flava is bleached completely white Cera alba.
This fatty alcohol produced from plant oils and natural waxes is used as an emulsifier, emollient, thickener, and carrying agent. It is not drying alcohol.
Cetyl alcohol (also know as 1-Hexadecanol) is 16 carbons in length fatty alcohol produced from palm oil and is used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent.
Cetyl Esters (esters of a C14 alcohol with C16 - C18 acids) are waxy solids or flakes with melting points near body temperature (43 - 47°C). It is an emollient ester that provides lubricity, a body, and a soft glossy feel.
Cetyl Palmitate is a cetyl ester of palmitic acid that has similar properties to whale wax. It is a solid with a melting temperature range of 46-53ºC.
Cetyl Phosphate is a hexadecyl dihydrogen phosphate ester, an oil-soluble waxy white flake with a melting point of 68°C. It is a highly effective anionic oil-in-water emulsifier supplied in acid form.
Cocamide DEA is a clear, viscous liquid based on the renewable vegetable lipid found in coconut oil. It is a uniquely natural complement for use in personal care products as a multi-functional foam booster and thickener with high biodegradability and low aquatic toxicity.
Cocamide MEA is a non-ionic vegetable-derived amide that provides excellent viscosity building and foam stabilization in anionic-based systems such as shampoos, hand washes, and body cleansers.
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a premium surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids. Betaine-derived surfactants are classified as amphoteric.
It is an excellent emollient, which gives long-lasting protection. In addition, theobroma cacao is high in vitamin E and softens and lubricates.
Dehydroxanthan Gum is a dehydrated xanthan gum, an anionic polymer, supplied as an off-white powder. In personal care applications, it is used as a fixative, thickener, gelling agent, and for styling aid.
Dextran is a polysaccharide (polyglucan) from glucose units composed of α-C1-C6 linked chains of different lengths. Dextrans polymer chain length varies from very short (water-soluble) to very long (insoluble).
Dextrin is a degraded starch polysaccharide in which the amylose and amylopectin present in the original starch have been partially hydrolyzed at the 1,4a D and 1,6a D linkages.
Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate is a soft, white paste (solid at 25°C or 77°F) with a mild characteristic odor, that melts near body temperatures (melt point ~40°C or 104°F). It delivers a light and silky emollience with excellent anti-tack properties.
Di-PPG-3 Myristyl Ether Adipate is a transparent liquid polymer and a low-viscosity emollient with an ESSF (Emollient Skin Spreading Factor) value of 3.8. It promotes the targeted delivery of actives and pigments.
Disteardimonium Hectorite is a rheology modifier or anti-settling agent. It is vegetable-derived and non-animal organically modified hectorite.
Elaeis Guineensis Butter (Palm Butter) is a lipid-active ingredient with anti-aging and antioxidant properties extracted from the red-yellow mesocarp of the Elaeis Guinensis fruit. It contains 45/50% oil and has a consistency like soft butter at room temperature.