AccessTHIX 10

High-Efficiency Thickener for Crystal-Clear Gels and Stable Emulsions

INCI Name: Carbomer

AccessTHIX 10 is a high-performance powder that creates beautiful, crystal-clear gels and improves the texture of lotions and creams. As a cross-linked polyacrylate polymer (Carbomer), it efficiently builds viscosity at very low usage rates of 0.1–0.5%. Perfect for hair gels, sanitizers, and serums, it delivers a smooth, non-tacky feel without heat.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Hair Styling Gels

Provides strong yet flexible hold with crystal-clear clarity, delivering professional-grade styling without flaking or stickiness.
Hand Sanitizers

Thickens high-alcohol systems into stable, easy-to-spread gels that feel clean and non-tacky on skin.
Moisturizing Gels & Serums

Creates elegant, lightweight, crystal-clear gel bases that feel refreshing, break quickly, and absorb rapidly.
Creams & Lotions

Acts as a powerful emulsion stabilizer and viscosity modifier, preventing separation and providing a rich, desirable texture.
Sun Care Lotions

Effectively thickens and helps suspend UV filters for even application and a smooth, pleasant skin feel.
Suspending Agent

Keeps beads, exfoliants, and other particles evenly dispersed throughout the formula to prevent settling.

How to Use AccessTHIX 10 in Your Formulations

Understanding AccessTHIX 10

AccessTHIX 10 is a powerful thickening agent that gives you precise control over the texture of your products. Think of it like a microscopic sponge. When you add this fine white powder to water, it disperses. But the real magic happens when you adjust the pH. As you raise the pH, the particles swell and create a gel network that transforms a watery liquid into a thick, stable gel or a luxurious lotion.

For the chemistry-minded: AccessTHIX 10 is a high-molecular-weight, cross-linked polyacrylate polymer (Carbomer). In its powdered form, the polymer chains are coiled. When dispersed in water and neutralized with an alkali, the acidic groups are neutralized, chains uncoil, and electrostatic repulsion expands the network. This efficiently thickens the water phase without heat, making it a true cold-process ingredient.

Formulation Tips

Using AccessTHIX 10 is a two-step process: dispersion followed by neutralization.

1. Dispersion: To avoid clumps (“fish eyes”), slowly sprinkle the powder into a moving vortex of water while mixing continuously. Wet every particle before it can agglomerate. High shear can help, but avoid trapping excess air. At this stage, the mixture will be thin and slightly acidic.

2. Neutralization: After full hydration, raise the pH to activate thickening. Add a neutralizer (e.g., Triethanolamine/TEA, diluted Sodium Hydroxide, or L-Arginine) dropwise with stirring. As pH approaches ~6.0 or higher, the system will gel and become clear.

Typical usage is 0.1% for thin serums up to 0.5% for very thick gels. Because it is sensitive to electrolytes, add salts and certain actives after the gel network forms, and verify final pH and viscosity.

Key Performance Benefits:

High Efficiency at Low Doses: Builds viscosity effectively at just 0.1–0.5%, keeping formulas cost-effective.
Creates Crystal-Clear Gels: Ideal for hair gels, clear serums, and hand sanitizers where clarity and elegance matter.
Smooth, Elegant Texture: Delivers non-tacky, non-stringy gels and rich, stable lotions that spread easily and absorb well.
Excellent Suspending Power: Effectively suspends beads, pigments, and other insoluble particles for uniform distribution.
Cold-Process Compatible: No heat required, simplifying processing and protecting heat-sensitive actives.
Versatile Application: Enables textures from light, pumpable lotions to high-hold styling gels with a single polymer.

Heading #1
Benefits	Cold-Process Compatible, Easy Processing, Formulation Versatility, Processing Benefits, Smooth Spreadability, Texture & Sensory
INCI Name	Carbomer
Usage Rate	0.1%-0.5%
Functional Type	Cold-Process Thickeners, Polymer Thickeners, Suspension Agents, Thickeners & Rheology Modifiers
Phase Compatibility	Water Phase
Application Area	Body, Face, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability	Cleansers, Creams & Lotions, Gels, Hair Styling, Masks & Treatments, Serums & Essences, Sun Care
Certifications	Cruelty-Free, Non-GMO, Vegan
Physical Form	Powder

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessTHIX 10

It’s a thickener. It turns watery solutions into thick gels, serums, or lotions. It’s what gives products like hair gel and hand sanitizer their gel-like consistency and makes creams feel rich.

Carbomer must be activated (neutralized). After dispersing the powder into water, add a high-pH neutralizer (such as TEA or a diluted lye solution) slowly while mixing until the mixture thickens into a gel.

Start around 0.2% for a thin lotion or serum. Use 0.4%–0.5% for a thick hair gel or sanitizer. Start low; you can add more if needed.

Sprinkle the powder slowly into a vortex of moving water. Dust it in gradually so each particle wets individually before it can clump (“fish eyes”).

No heat is required. AccessTHIX 10 is fully cold-process compatible, which saves time and protects heat-sensitive actives.

A neutralizer is a base that raises pH to activate thickening. Common choices: Triethanolamine (TEA), diluted Sodium Hydroxide (lye), or L-Arginine for more naturally positioned formulas.

Yes. It is excellent for alcohol-based sanitizers, forming stable, non-sticky gels even at 60–70% alcohol.

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