10 ingredients
Thickener
Explore all 10 ingredients in the Thickener category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer (trade name Aristoflex AVC) is a synthetic polymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers. It is used as a viscosity controller and texturiser to create lightweight, gel-like textures in oil-in-water emulsions. It provides a pleasant, non-tacky skin feel and works across a broad pH range.
Learn more →Sclerotium Gum
Sclerotium gum (also known as scleroglucan) is a natural polysaccharide produced by the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. It functions as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilising agent in cosmetic formulations. It is similar to xanthan gum and is often used in combination with it to create gel textures or stabilise emulsions.
Learn more →Ammonium Acryloyldimethyl-taurate/VP Copolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer (trade name Aristoflex AVC) is a synthetic polymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers. It is used as a viscosity controller and texturiser to create lightweight, gel-like textures in oil-in-water emulsions. It provides a pleasant, non-tacky skin feel and works across a broad pH range.
Learn more →Sodium Carbomer
Sodium Carbomer is the pre-neutralised sodium salt form of carbomer (a crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer). Unlike standard carbomer which requires base neutralisation, sodium carbomer forms viscous gels immediately upon addition to water. It functions as a viscosity controller, emulsion stabiliser, film former, and gel former in cosmetic formulations.
Learn more →Dextrin
Dextrin is a blend of polysaccharides produced by the partial hydrolysis of starch. In cosmetics it is a multifunctional helper ingredient that works as a thickener, humectant, foam booster, adhesion promoter, binding agent, and filler. It helps moisturise and soften the skin.
Learn more →Gellan Gum
Gellan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea. In cosmetics it functions as a film-forming agent and viscosity controller, creating stable gel textures and improving the spreadability of formulations. It is also widely used in food as a gelling agent (E418).
Learn more →Diutan Gum
Diutan Gum is a microbial polysaccharide produced by fermentation of the bacterium Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 53159. It functions as a viscosity controlling agent, helping to thicken and stabilise cosmetic formulations, giving products a pleasant texture and consistency. It is commonly found in serums, moisturisers, cleansers, and sunscreens, including products designed for sensitive skin such as Avene Tolerance and Zenova Sensitive ranges.
Learn more →Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed (Rhodophyceae family, including Chondrus crispus). In cosmetics it functions as a gelling, thickening, and stabilising agent that helps create smooth, uniform textures in formulations. It is widely used in hydrogel patches, serums, and cream-based products.
Learn more →Acrylates/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Acrylates/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer is a synthetic polymer composed of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers. It functions as a versatile emulsion stabiliser and viscosity controller, creating gel-like textures in formulations. When combined with emollients, it produces milky gel emulsions with a soft, non-tacky skin feel.
Learn more →Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer related to carbomer that contains both water-loving (hydrophilic) and oil-loving (hydrophobic) monomers. This dual nature allows it to function as both a thickening agent and an emulsion stabiliser. It is particularly effective in gel-type formulas that contain an oil phase, and is compatible with most cleansing agents.
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