rheology modifier and thickener for personal care - worlee.de · | 4 | worléeaqua thix –...

Rheology Modifier and Thickenerfor Personal Care

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WorléeAqua Thix – Rheology Modifier and Thickener for Personal Care

WorléeAqua Thix – All-in-One Polymers withBroad Application Possibilities

Rheology Modifier and Thickener for Personal Care

Under the product-brand WorléeAqua Thix, Worlée offers three liquid rheology modifiers designed to thicken, suspend, and stabilize rinse-off products like body washes, facial cleansers, or shampoos and emulsions for skin and sun care applications. The polymers also enhance pigment distribution in color cosmetics resulting in pleasant aesthetics and high coverage. They are cost-effective and easy-to-handle all-in-one polymers with numerous benefits. The products of the entire WorléeAqua Thix line forms different levels of thickening, yield strength, or thixotropy depending on the formulation, thus enabling stable suspensions of pigments, peeling particles, and other insoluble materials without sedimentation.This makes the WorléeAqua Thix line the perfect supplement for the production of formulations with WorléeBeads (wax exfoliation particles), WorléeSoft Beads (active-ingredient carriers), or water-based WorléeBase pigment pastes.

The Worlée name has been synony-mous with the highest-quality raw materials since 1851. Today, Worlée is among the indus-try’s most modern and technologically inno-vative companies. The enterprise is an interna-tional market leader for chemical, natural, and cosmetic raw materials with an extensive product range. Worlée’s broad global reach and sourcing strategy enable it to satisfy a great diversity of customer requirements. Through its numerous branches around the world, Worlée serves a diverse mix of customers and well-known multinational companies, offering total customer- oriented support. Many years ago, the company committed itself to the guiding principles of responsible trade and sustainable development, priorities that have meanwhile become firmly established in all three business divisions.

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WorléeAqua Thix 100

All-in-One Solution for ColorCosmetics and Emulsions withPigments

Allows to create emulsions for skin- and sun-care applications and stable color-intensive formulations with pigments in color cosmetics

Excellent emulsion stabilization and suspension power at pH above 6.0

Exceptionally compatible with coated and uncoated pigments (mica, iron oxide, titanium dioxide)

Stabilization and dispersion of insoluble components (oils, silicones, UV filter, pigments, beads, spheres)

Offers high compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, including film formers, fragrances, and preservatives

Convenient, easy-to-use liquid form and suitable for cold processing

Reduces the necessary amount of emulsifiers and stabilizers required for optimum stability and texture

In hydrogels, high clarity at pH above 6.0

Electrolyte tolerant and pleasant skin feel


Rheology Modifier and ThickeningAgent for Sophisticated CleansingFormulations

Can be used to create crystal-clear, stable body washes, facial cleansers, or shampoos

High clarity at pH above 6.0 Excellent suspension power and

stabilization of insoluble components (oils, silicones, exfoliants, peeling particles, beads, spheres)

High thickening efficiency in surfactant systems and works with active surfactant levels from 5–30%

Synergistic thickening with salt and other acrylate-based or natural thickeners

Good compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, including cationic conditioning polymers, fragrances, and preservatives

Simple, easy-to-use liquid form and suitable for cold processing

WorléeAqua Thix 100 WorléeAqua Thix 150 WorléeAqua Thix 200

INCI Acrylates Crosspolymer Acrylates Copolymer Acrylates Copolymer

Appearance Turbid liquid Turbid liquid Turbid liquid

Solids (by weight) 31–33% 31–33% 31–33%

pH 2.1–3.0 2.1–3.0 2.1–3.0

Viscosity < 100 mPas < 100 mPas < 100 mPas

Preservative Unpreserved Unpreserved Unpreserved

Use level as supplied 1–4% 1–10% 1–10%

Highest clarity at pH 6.0–9.0 pH 6.0–9.0 pH 4.0–9.0

Stabilization and suspension at pH 4.0–11.0 pH 4.0–11.0 pH 4.0–11.0


Rheology Modifier and ThickeningAgent for Low PH CleansingFormulations

Enables production of low pH (4 to 6) transparent cleansing products formulated with natural and food-grade preservatives

Excellent suspension power and stabilization of insoluble components (oils, silicones, exfoliants, peeling particles, beads, spheres)

High thickening efficiency in surfactant systems and works with active surfactant levels from 5–30%

Synergistic thickening with salt and other acrylate-based or natural thickeners

Good compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, including cationic conditioning polymers, fragrances, and preservatives

Simple, easy-to-use liquid form and suitable for cold processing

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High Pigment Compatibility and Electrolyte Tolerance

WorléeAqua Thix 100 provides very good stability, suspension, and pigment dispersion in emulsions, which makes it an excellent emulsion stabilizer for sun-care applications. The micrographs show that WorléeAqua Thix 100 offers high compatibility and efficacy with electrolytes such as Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid in combination with high levels of Titanium Dioxide.

Formulation and Processing

WorléeAqua Thix 100 can be added to a formulation at any time. If a pH value above 6.0 is set, WorléeAqua Thix 100 is active and thickens and stabilizes emulsions. It is both temperature-stable and can be heated up to 90°C, as well as shear stable, so that production with a rotor-stator mixer, disperser, bead mill, or homogenizer is possible. However, even low shear forces are sufficient for a good distribution since it is a liquid product.WorléeAqua Thix 100 is not freeze/thaw stable and should be stored between 4 and 25°C. The polymer in finished applications, however, is freeze/thaw stable. The product should be pumped with a low shear pump. Multivalent cations flocculate WorléeAqua Thix 100 irreversible. The minimum shelf life is 12 months.Formulations with WorléeAqua Thix 100 such as Soft Skin Repair Cream, Anti-Aging Body Lotion, Hydrogel with Aloe Vera SoftBeads, Waterproof and Long-Lasting Eyeliner, Concealer, Peel-Off Mascara, Water-Based Peel-Off Nail Polish, and Liquid-Gel Eye Shadow are available on request.

Left: with WorléeAqua Thix 100 – Right: without WorléeAqua Thix 100

Micrograph (400× magnification) of emulsion with Phenylben-zimidazole Sulfonic Acid (PBSA), TiO

2 and WorléeAqua Thix 100

Micrograph (400×magnification) of emulsion with Phenylben-zimidazole Sulfonic Acid (PBSA) and TiO

2 without


INCI Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride

SimmondsiaChinensis Seed Oil

Ethylhexyl Stearate Squalane Paraffinum Liquidum

Dimethicone C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Viscosity 4 RPM [mPas] 1) 4,488 3,104 3,849 2,428 2,388 2,375 2,922

Viscosity 10 RPM [mPas] 1) 2,269 1,656 2,013 1,318 1,304 1,282 1,570

Micrograph (400× magnification)

10% oil phase; 2.5% (0.8% active) WorléeAqua Thix 100; pH 7.5 with 0.55% Sodium Hydroxide (25% in water); cold process and final homogenization for one minute with Ultra Turrax.1) Rheometer, 25°C, Conus-Plate, 1°/40 mm

WorléeAqua Thix 100All-in-One Solution for Color Cosmetics and Emulsions with Pigments

Emulsion Stability

WorléeAqua Thix 100 imparts very good emulsion stabilization and pigment suspension efficiency in skin-care systems. Polar and nonpolar oils can be emulsified stably and easily in the cold process.

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Phase Ingredients % %

A AquaPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidTitanium Dioxide, Silica(Eusolex T-AVO from Merck)GlycerinSodium Hydroxide (25% solution)

q.s. to 1001.005.00

3.001.15

1.005.00

3.001.15

B Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane OctocryleneC12-15 Alkyl BenzoateEthylhexyl Stearate Decyl OleateCetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate SE

3.00 10.005.002.001.001.501.00

3.00 10.005.002.001.001.501.00

C Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer(WorléeMicromer C60/42)

4.00 4.00

D WorléeAqua Thix 100 3.00

E Citric Acid (10%) q.s. to pH 6.8

F Perfume, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol(Fragrance Timeflight – P0225392from Frey + Lau)Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin(Microcare PEHG from Thor)

0.15

1.00

0.15

1.00

Rheometer, 20°C, Conus-Plate, 1°/40 mm,10 RPM, mPasViscosity Brookfield DV, Spindle 4, 20°C,20 RPM, mPas

7150

21815

1274

3959

Formulation of Sun-Care Emulsion

The formulation below shows a sun-care emulsion of LSF 30 containing 1% of Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (PBSA) and 5% of Titanium Dioxide.

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Formulation and Processing

WorléeAqua Thix 200 is compatible with a wide range of ingredients, including food- grade preservatives, surfactants, humectants, cationic polymers, oils, and salts, which are commonly used in cleansing products. The polymer undergoes instantaneous thickening and builds suspension power when neutralized with a base. It is supplied as a low-viscosity easy-to-use liquid form; therefore it can be incorporated directly into formulations and is suitable for cold process.

Add WorléeAqua Thix 150/200 to mixing container and dilute with deionised water

Add surfactants while stirring Set pH-value above 6.0 with a base Add remaining ingredients Set the pH value to the desired value by

adding an acid or base. WorléeAqua Thix 200 remains transparent and clear at pH values less than 6, while WorléeAqua Thix 150 gets cloudy.

If desired, exfoliants, peeling particles, beads, spheres, mica etc. can now be added

However, WorléeAqua Thix 150/200 can also be added after adding all surfactants or at lat-er steps. If the pH value is then already above 6.0, WorléeAqua Thix 150/200 should be di-luted with water before addition and added with sufficient stirring to avoid the formation of gel clumps. Although this dissolves after prolonged stirring, it takes some time.WorléeAqua Thix 150/200 is not freeze/thaw stable and should be stored between 4 to 25°C. The product should be pumped with a low shear pump. Multivalent cations flocculate WorléeAqua Thix 150/200 irreversible.

Visc

osity

[mPa

s]

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0WorléeAqua Thix 150 Polymer A Polymer B Polymer C

1,358 3,688

768 2,291

1,260 6,825

637 1,744

Viscosity SLES/CAPB 10:2 Viscosity SLES/CAPB 7.2:4.8

WorléeAqua Thix 150 Polymer A Polymer B Polymer C

0.180.17

5.011.35

1.780.35

19.17 15.00

tan SLES/CAPB 10:2 tan δ SLES/CAPB 7.2:4.8

tan

δ

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

Viscosity: Rheometer, 20°C, Conus-Plate, 1°/40 mm, 10 RPM tan δ: Rheometer, 40°C, Plate-Plate 20 mm, Gap 1 mm, 0.1 rad/sTurbidity: Photomer, Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

Only WorléeAqua Thix 150 has a tan δ below 0.3 to permanently stabilize beads and air bubbles. The tan δ of WorléeAqua Thix 150 is completely independent of SLES/CAPB ratio. All other products need a higher use level to achieve a tan δ below 0.3. So WorléeAqua Thix 150 is most cost effective. WorléeAqua Thix 150 has the highest viscosity of all products with SLES/CAPB ratio of 10:2. For high-betaine shower gels and a SLES/CAPB ratio of 7.2:4.8 WorléeAqua Thix 150 has the requested viscosity level. Polymer C is too viscous and obtain a undesirable stringy texture. The two other polymers need a higher use level or a co-thickener. WorléeAqua Thix 150 shows the best clarity and very transparent shower gels can be produced.

WorléeAqua Thix 150Rheology Modifier and Thickening Agent for Sophisticated Cleansing Formulations

Performance Data in Shower Gel and in a High-Betaine Shower Gel

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WorléeAqua Thix 200Rheology Modifier and Thickening Agent for Low pH Cleansing Formulations

WorléeAqua Thix 200 shows a good viscosity comparable to the Acrylates Crosspolymer-4. Although the viscosity of the Acrylates Copolymer is higher, the viscosity is too high, so that removal from a packaging is hardly possible any more. Reducing the amount of Acrylates Copolymer is not an option; otherwise the tan δ would get to high. A tan δ below 0.3 means that beads and particles can be permanently suspended in suspension. WorléeAqua Thix 200 forms a sufficient yield stress while the Acrylates Crosspolymer-4 does not stabilize beads and particles adequately. The WorléeAqua Thix 200 shows the best transmittance, whereas visible opacity can be seen especially in the Acrylates Copolymer. WorléeAqua Thix 200 thus shows excellent balanced properties of transparency, thickening, and yield stress.

Performance Data in Shower GelFormula CompositionSolid content wt.%

9.0% Sodium Laureth Sulfate 3.0% Cocamidopropyl Betaine 0.5% Sodium Benzoate 2.25% Polymer

Visc

osity

[mPa

s]Rh

eom

eter

CP

1’/4

0 m

m 1

0 RP

M, 2

5 °C

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0WorléeAqua

Thix 200Acrylates

Crosspolymer-4Acrylates

Copolymer

1,464 1,052 3,535Viscosity [mPas]

WorléeAquaThix 200

AcrylatesCrosspolymer-4

AcrylatesCopolymer

0.14 0.93 0.18

tan

δRh

eom

eter

Pla

te/P

late

20

mm

, 40

°C

1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

tan δ

WorléeAquaThix 200

AcrylatesCrosspolymer-4

AcrylatesCopolymer

90.9 87.1 77.3

% T

rans

mitt

ance

1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

% Transmittance@ 600 nm

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Formulations with WorléeAqua Thix 150 such as Shower Gel with Sunflower Oil Pearls, Young Facial Scrub, Fruity and Sensitive Exfoliating Shower Gel – Sulfate-Free, Mild Exfoliating Body Scrub – Sulfate- and PEG-free, Purifying Peeling Mask and Hand Sanitizer, and formulations with WorléeAqua Thix 200 such as Orange Smoothie Scrub, Cream Care Shower Gel, Shower Gel – Into the Blue, and Shower Gel – Happy Spring are available on request.

Worlée-Chemie GmbH

Grusonstrasse 26D-22113 HamburgPhone: +49 (0)40 73333 0Fax: +49 (0)40 73333 2699

[email protected] www.worlee.com

For further requests, such as a technical data sheet, specifications, product documentation, a safety data sheet, basic formulations, or testing methods, please contact our office in Hamburg.

Any deliveries and/or services are exclusively subject to our general standard terms and conditions in their respectively valid version. We will be happy to provide you with the general standard terms and conditions upon your request and they can be downloaded online at http://www.worlee.de/GSTC.

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