How to Use AccessTHIX 865 in Your Formulations
Understanding AccessTHIX 865
Think of AccessTHIX 865 as the secret to perfect texture. On its own, a mix of water and oils can be thin and runny. AccessTHIX 865 is a powerful thickener that creates a network within your formula, holding everything in place to achieve your desired consistency—from a thin, flowable lotion to a thick, scoopable cream. It’s a workhorse ingredient that not only thickens but also helps stabilize your product, preventing oil and water from separating over time.
For the chemists, AccessTHIX 865 is an acrylate crosspolymer, a type of rheology modifier. As a dry powder, its polymer chains are coiled up. When you disperse it in water and then raise the pH (a process called neutralization), these chains uncoil and swell, trapping water and instantly building viscosity. This unique property gives you incredible control and allows for cold-processing, saving time and energy.
Formulation Tips
Using AccessTHIX 865 is simple, but requires a specific process for best results. A typical usage rate is 0.1% for a light lotion, 0.3–0.5% for a standard cream or gel, and up to 1.0% for very thick gels.
The most important rule: sprinkle, don’t dump! To avoid clumps (often called “fish eyes”), slowly sprinkle the powder into the water phase while mixing rapidly. A stick blender or propeller mixer is ideal. Continue mixing until the powder is fully hydrated and no white specks remain. At this point, your mixture will be slightly thicker but still watery and will have a low pH.
The magic happens during neutralization. The thickening is “activated” by raising the pH of the formula to between 5.5 and 7.0. You can do this by adding a neutralizing agent like a Sodium Hydroxide (lye) solution (e.g., 18% solution) or Triethanolamine (TEA) drop by drop until the desired thickness is achieved. For emulsions (creams/lotions), it’s often best to add your oil phase to your hydrated AccessTHIX 865 solution, emulsify, and then neutralize at the end, during the cool-down phase.
Key Formulation Benefits:
- Highly Efficient Thickening: A very small amount (as little as 0.2%) can create a significant change in viscosity, making it a cost-effective ingredient.
- Elegant Sensory Profile: Creates smooth, non-stringy textures with a clean break and a light, non-greasy skin feel.
- Excellent Clarity: Produces crystal-clear gels in water-based systems for high-end serums, sanitizers, and masks.
- Versatile and Stable: Tolerant of many cosmetic ingredients (including salts and glycols) and helps stabilize emulsions.
- Cold-Process Friendly: No heating required, ideal for heat-sensitive actives and faster production.