Carbopol 940 is highly favored in the development of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products due to its excellent thickening performance and transparency. However, in the process of configuring gel, some seemingly minor operational errors may cause the failure of the whole system. This article will systematically describe the problems that should be paid attention to when adding salts in the configuration of Carbomer 940 gel, to help you avoid common mistakes and ensure stable product performance.

Carbopol 940

1、 Avoid adding soluble salt substances

Soluble salts are the "natural enemies" of Carbopol 940 gel system. When electrolytes such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate are added to the system, the electrostatic repulsion between carbomer molecular chains is disrupted, leading to the collapse of the three-dimensional network structure and a sharp decrease in viscosity. This kind of damage is irreversible, and even if the pH value is adjusted later, the original thickening effect cannot be restored. Therefore, the use of salt containing raw materials should be avoided in the formula design stage, or the carbomer should be fully neutralized and form a stable gel structure before adding salt substances.

2、 It is strictly prohibited to add strong acidic solutions

Strong acidic solutions such as lemon water and vinegar can seriously affect the thickening performance of Carbopol 940. When the pH value is below 5, the carboxylic acid groups in the carbomer molecule cannot be fully ionized, and the molecular chain cannot fully stretch, resulting in a significant decrease in thickening efficiency. More seriously, acidic environments can accelerate the hydrolysis reaction of certain raw materials, affecting the chemical stability of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to completely neutralize the carbomer to pH 6-8 before considering adding other acidic components, and the amount and order of addition must be strictly controlled.

3、 Reasonable addition of hyaluronic acid and hydrosol

Although hyaluronic acid is also an acidic substance, its addition amount is usually small, so it has relatively little impact on the Carbomer 940 gel system. As a slightly acidic substance (pH is usually 5-6), pure dew has little impact on the Carbomer 940 gel system. However, it should be noted that the composition of pure dew from different plants varies greatly, and some may contain electrolytes or other substances that affect the stability of gel. It is recommended to conduct a sample test before adding to confirm that it will not cause the system to become diluted or stratified.

4、 Optimization of the order of adding raw materials

Correct addition order is the key to ensure the stability of gel system. It is recommended to add raw materials in the following order: water → Carbomer 940 (dispersion) → neutralizer (neutralized to pH 6-8) → preservative → humectant → active ingredient → essence. Active ingredients and essence should be added after the system is stable to avoid affecting the gel structure. For raw materials that are prone to reactions, they should be added separately or pre dispersed.

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Hubei Xindesheng: Professional Carbopol Supplier

In the production and application field of Carbopol, Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. provides customers with high-quality Carbopol 940 products and professional technical support with profound technical accumulation and rich production experience. Whether it's cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or personal care products, Xindesheng can provide customized Carbopol solutions to help customers optimize formula design and improve product performance. The company has a professional technical service team that can provide customers with comprehensive services such as technical consultation, sample testing, and application guidance.