There are many good all natural thickeners (EU) to choose from. The ideal choice depends on the desired formulation properties such as charge compatibility (anionic, cationic, or nonionic), PH, clarity, electrolyte tolerance, and skin feel. All natural aqueous-based thickeners can be divided into soluble and swellable types with either a chitin/chitosan (EU: chitin | chitosan), cellulosic, starch (EU), or polysaccharide backbone.
Some naturally based materials also contain both soluble and swellable fractions. You should also consider evaluating combinations of different types of natural-based thickeners, especially soluble and swellable types since viscosity synergies often occur.
Due to the insolubility of cellulose or starch, chemical modifications are normally required for solubility so they wouldn’t be considered all natural. Polysaccharide-based (EU) thickeners are normally extracted from seaweed (EU), seeds, bark, or made by fermentation.
Recommendations
- Keltrol Advanced Performance Xanthan Gum from CP Kelco (EU) is an anionic, soluble polysaccharide and the most commonly used natural personal care thickener. Keltrol Advanced Performance is much easier to hydrate in the presence of a solvent or salt and is better for suspending solids in thin dispersions than regular grades of xanthan. A 1% solution has a viscosity of 13K cps and is salt and PH tolerant.
- Kelset (Sodium Alginate) from FMC BioPolymer is a seaweed-derived thickener. It has good gelling properties and skin feel (1% gel- 27K cps). Gels are not salt stable.
- Actigum CS11 (Scleroglucan) from Cargill is a nonionic, soluble polysaccharide that has good salt and PH tolerance. A 1% solution has a viscosity of 2-5K cps, 2% 61k cps.
- Imulsifi-A30 (Orange Fiber) from Fiberstar is a swellable citrus fiber that has a hot processed viscosity at 5% of 10K cps and 30K cold. It can tolerate a maximum salt load of 3%.
- Kelcogel CG-HA (High acyl Gellan gum) from CP Kelco (EU) is the most efficient polysaccharide based thickener I have evaluated in water only. A .5% gel has a viscosity of 54K cps. It is not salt stable.
- Grinsted Succinoglycan J (Succinoglycan) from Danisco is a anionic, soluble polysaccharide produced by fermentation and one of the most efficient soluble natural based thickeners on the market. It is stable to electrolyte, and high/low PH. A 1% gel has a viscosity of 23K cps with 3% salt.
- Genuvisco TPC-1 (Carrageenan) from CP Kelco (EU) is an Iota form of carrageenan designed for cold processing that is stable over a PH of 3.5. The processed viscosity is low until electrolyte is added. A 1% gel has a viscosity of 18K with 3% salt added.
- Gelcarin GP 379 (Carrageenan) from FMC BioPolymer is an Iota form of carrageenan that rapidly hydrates at RT. A 1% gel in water has a viscosity of 32K cps without salt and a 2% gel 27k with 3% salt.
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Hi,
What natural thickening agent would you recommend to thicken water to be used in cosmetic / hygiene products.
Also as above but in home cleaning products.
That is too general a question. It depends a lot on what is in the formulation.
need watersoluble in powder cationic thickener electrolyte rrdistent…nonionic thivkner
George, thank you for sharing such great information on cosmetic chemistry and thickeners. I’m no chemist and this is why I’ve probably struggled so much with my own homemade hair and skin cosmetic formulations that that have appealing skin feel and viscosity. The two homemade formulations I have struggled with the most are shampoo and gel. All of the homemade shampoos and gel formulation I’ve made are far to thin and I think a lot of it is due to natural oils that I have added breaking the viscosity and causing the formula to be too thin. OK, here’s my question – can you recommend some all natural thickeners that will help produce a relatively pleasing thickness and color for natural gel and shampoo formulations containing a base of Aloe Vera Gel/Juice (99%+ Aloe Purity), Argan and Flaxseed Oil, and additionally for Shampoo the additional ingredient of castile soap (or other recommended all natural soap)? I’ve enjoyed learning about cosmetic chemistry and the process of making my own homemade hair and skin products, but I’m the only one in my family that will use any of the stuff I’ve made because all my formulations have come out so watery! Thanks for any advice George!
Hi, Brian.
Xanthan gum is an all natural gum that will thicken shampoo formulations. You will need to disperse into Zemea or Glycerin first and then add the dispersion to your shampoo. An excellent natural derived thickener would be Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate (Structure XL-Nouryon). Simply add the powdered thickener to your shampoo base and it will thicken with mixing in a few minutes and become smooth.
Thanks for reading!
George
what should be ideally added to a muriatic acid toilet bowl cleaner to make it thick.
Presently used xanthan gum is unstable needs shake every time before use.
does this mean that thickener is unstable in acidic conditions?
kindly suggest a solution for the long-term thickening effect.
Hi George
Thank you so much for this article. I am in the process of starting my own aloe vera beauty products at home. I do not want to use anything else but 100% organic natural products. In South Africa we don’t always get all these products. What would you recommend to use as a thickening agent with the aloe vera.
Regards
Magda Roberts
Dear Shrikant:
Xanthan should work in this application. Make sure you disperse the Xanthan into water prior to adding the acid.
Thanks for reading,
George
Dear Magda:
Xanthan gum should work well.
Thanks for reading,
George
Hello George,
Thank you so much for your article and for taking questions.
I have been making a “natural” water-based room deodorizer, but it evaporates too quickly.
So I would like to try and thicken it into a gel (makes it less likely to spill as well).
Because I leave it in an open jar, I don’t want it to attract ants or other insects, so it needs to have no food value or attractant to pests.
What would you recommend I try ?
The ingredients are : Water, Glycerin, Ethyl Alcohol, and essential oils (eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, bergamot, etc).
Many thanks.
Hey George,
thank you for this article, i have a question for my handmade cleansing facial, is it silica sylilate a natural thickener and if not which thickener should i choose ?
thank you in advance
Hayfa
Hi, Dean:
You can easily gel the mixture using Carbomer.
Thank you for reading!
George
Hi Hayfa:
Coud you please tell me: What else is in the formulation?
Thank you for reading,
George
which natural thickening polymer will work best with quaternary ammonium compounds (surfactants) for effective floor cleaners?
Dear Prithvi:
To answer your question, Tara gum is nonionic and inexpensive.
Thanks for reading!
George
Thanks for this write up, pls can you recommend a thickener for gelling a glycolic acid 30% solution?
Content 30% glycolic acid, 10% citric acid, distilled water.
Tried xantham gum but keeps failing.
Dear Princess:
Xanthan gum will thicken this solution.
Thanks for reading,
George