September 14, 2020
Natural thickeners for cosmetics come, as the name suggests, from nature. Much of the viscosity and feel of a beauty product depends on the thickener used in the cosmetic formulation.
Natural thickeners boast additional benefits and can impact product stability, efficacy, and sensory attributes of the formula.
Read More: The Role of Thickeners for Personal Care Formulations
Natural thickeners for cosmetics, like waxes and gums, are an important part of cosmetic formulations to enhance the consistency, viscosity and feel. As a result they provide additional stability and can improve performance of a cosmetic product. Many natural cosmetic and skincare thickening agents have the ability to retain water on the skin, acting as a moisturizer. In addition to cosmetics, natural thickeners can also be used in natural shower gels, shampoos, lotions and moisturizing creams.
But, selecting the right thickener for your natural product can be overwhelming. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Sapogel (INCI: Glycerin, Aqua, Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract, Saponaria Officinalis (Soapwort) Leaf/Root Extract) is a “natural” oil thickener used in cosmetic and personal care products. This palm-free oil thickening ingredient is ideal for use in cleansers, body and lip balms, spa products, hair care, and baby products. Depending on the formulation used, the final product may have different textures, from transparent to opaque and from viscous to pourable.
Sapogel Q has an EWG rating of 1-2, making it one of the best natural thickeners for cosmetic formulations.
Integral by Interaxion (INCI: Sclerotium Gum) is a cold water-soluble stabilizing and texturizing agent. It is designed to create high viscosity gels with shear-thinning properties in numerous cosmetic and personal care formulations. Due to its efficiency as a thickening agent, emulsifier and stabilizer, Integral by Interaxion can be used in color cosmetics, skin, hair, sun care, and bath and body applications.
Intergel has an EWG rating of 1, making it another top choice to use as a natural thickener for cosmetics.
Clearthix S is a specially-formulated blend of Cellulose Gum and Algin designed to give a quality rheological profile, while retaining transparency in the aqueous phase. This synergistic blend of natural powders acts as a water thickening agent that can be used in creams and lotions, hair care, sun care, and baby formulations.
Clearthix S also has an EWG rating of 1, which deems it a “very safe” natural thickener for cosmetics.
The demand for natural cosmetics continues to gain traction from consumers’ demand for chemical-free makeup and natural solutions. Now is the time for beauty brands to embrace sustainability and prioritize green formulations.
Kinetik is an innovative raw materials supplier to the personal care, cosmetic and beauty industries. Our professionals will provide the guidance you need to innovate an effective cosmetic formulation with natural ingredients. Contact us at (732) 335-5775 to speak with one of our sales representatives today; we work with clients and represent suppliers worldwide.