Synthetic Thickeners & Stablilizers

Natural Ingredients

Synthetic Ingredients

Thickener: to make thick, dense, or viscousin consistancy

Stabilizer: a substance added to another substance (as an explosive or plastic) or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state

Thickeners and Stabilizers prevent oil and water from separating. Thickening agents provide "body" to cosmetics, increasing stablility, improve suspending action, and contribute to application and feel. Stabilizers also help with added body in a product but stabilizers also maintain certain textures. Over the years, clever marketers have persuaded the public to believe that thicker products mean richer, more luxurious products. The truth is that the thickness or thinness (viscosity) of a product has nothing to do with the quality of the product. Because better qualities of ingredients are more expensive, the vast majority of large corporations seeking to maximize profits, incorporate the cheapest synthetic thickeners in their formulations.

carbomer: a synthetic ingredient with a high molecular weight crosslinked polymer (plastic) of acrylic acid. A white powder that reacts with fat particles to form thick, stable emulsions of oils in water.

effects: no known adverse effects. CIR Expert Panel is considering new information to determine the safety of this ingredient.

cocamide DEA, MEA: both DEA and MEA are semisynthetic compounds derived from coconut oil obtained from the kernels of palm trees.

effects: may cause contact allergies in some individuals. DEA residues are cancer suspects currently under inbestigation. Can contain nitrosamines. Read more...

hydrolyzed wheat protein: the hydrolysate of wheat protein derived by acid, enzyme, or other method of hydrolysis. Offers conditioning, moisturizing, and flim-forming properties. Helps to retain the moisture in the skin.

effects: no known adverse effects.

hydroxymethyl cellulose: used as a bodying ingredient and used as a thickener in cosmetics and hair products. Derived from plants.

effects: no known adverse effects.

hydroxypropyl cellulose: a synthetic compound used as a thickener.

effects: mild eye and skin irritant.

methacryloyl ethyl betaine: also known as methacrylic acid. The Methacrylate Producers Association believe that methacrylic acid and its esters in unreacted monomeric liquid form are not appropreat for use in cosmetics. Used in nail builders.

effects: reported to have irritating effects along with inflammation, and infection. On Canadian Hotlist.

potassium carboner: used as an emulsion stabilizer, thickener and film-former.

effects: no known adverse effects.

potassium stearate: a semisynthetic compound made from animal or begetable oils and is strongly alkaline. Used in soap, handcreams, hair conditioners, lotions, and shaving creams. Acts as a defoaming ingredient.

effects: CIR Expert Panel is reviewing the safety of this ingredient.

xanthan gum: a gum produced by a pure culture fermentation of a carbohydrate with Xanthomonas campestris. Also known as corn sugar gum.

effects: no known adverse effects.