AccessTHIX AQ-34C

Easy-to-Use Liquid Thickener for Clear Gels, Cleansers & Lotions

INCI Name: Acrylates Copolymer

AccessTHIX AQ-34C is a versatile, cold-process liquid polymer thickener (Acrylates Copolymer) that quickly builds viscosity and stability in water-based systems. It excels at forming crystal-clear gels, thickening surfactant cleansers, suspending particles, and improving the texture and stability of lotions and creams—all with a smooth, non-tacky feel.

Perfect For These Applications

Other cosmetic uses possible—contact us for formulation guidance.

Clear Gels

Creates high-clarity, non-sticky gels for hair styling gels, hand sanitizers, and cooling body gels with an elegant, clean break.
Shampoos & Body Washes

Efficiently thickens surfactant systems to a rich, honey-like flow and helps suspend decorative beads or exfoliants.
Face & Body Lotions

Acts as a co-thickener and stabilizer to improve viscosity, stability, and sensorial feel without greasiness.
Suspension Products

Builds a robust network that holds mica, glitter, or encapsulated beads uniformly throughout the product.
Acne Treatment Gels

Provides a stable, elegant gel base for actives (e.g., BHA), enabling smooth application and consistent feel.
Sun Care Gels & Lotions

Improves spreadability and film formation to support uniform distribution of UV filters on the skin.

How to Use AccessTHIX AQ-34C in Your Formulations

Understanding AccessTHIX AQ-34C

AccessTHIX AQ-34C is a liquid thickener that helps you create the perfect gel or creamy texture in products like clear gels, shampoos, body washes, and lotions. For beginners, think of it as a switch: once you adjust the pH, it “turns on” and thickens your formula, helping to keep everything evenly mixed and preventing particles from sinking.

For the technical audience, AccessTHIX AQ-34C is an alkali-swellable emulsion (ASE) rheology modifier with the INCI Acrylates Copolymer. In its acidic state the polymer is coiled and minimally viscous. Upon neutralization with a suitable base (e.g., NaOH, Triethanolamine, or Aminomethyl Propanol), the polymer ionizes, uncoils, and swells to build viscosity, yielding clear gels and providing emulsion stabilization and particle suspension. It is cold-process compatible and shows good compatibility with common surfactant systems and moderate electrolyte levels.

Formulation Tips

Typical usage is 2–8% (as supplied), depending on desired viscosity and system composition. Use the low end for light serums, micellar waters, or sprayable lotions, and the higher end for clear gels or thick body washes.

Process guidance:

Disperse: Add AccessTHIX AQ-34C to the water phase under moderate mixing. The pre-neutralized mixture will be low in viscosity.
Neutralize: Slowly add a neutralizer (e.g., diluted Sodium Hydroxide, Triethanolamine, or Aminomethyl Propanol) while monitoring pH. Target pH ~6.0–7.5 for optimal thickening and clarity.
Finish: Once the gel network forms, incorporate surfactants, preservatives, fragrance, and actives. Fine-tune pH and viscosity as needed.

Notes: Add salts and electrolytes gradually to avoid over-thinning. In emulsions, you can neutralize the polymer either before or after emulsification; both approaches are viable depending on process and desired texture.

Key Formulation Benefits:

Cold-Process Compatible: Build viscosity at room temperature to save time and protect heat-sensitive actives.
High Clarity Gels: Produces crystal-clear systems ideal for styling gels, serums, and bead-in cleansers.
Suspension Power: Helps keep beads, mica, and other insolubles uniformly suspended.
Stable Emulsions: Enhances stability and provides a smooth, short-flow texture in creams and lotions.
Surfactant-Friendly: Efficiently thickens many shampoo and body wash bases and can synergize with salt for viscosity build.
Smooth Sensory: Delivers a clean break with low tack for elegant application on skin and hair.

Heading #1
Benefits	Cold-Process Compatible, Easy Processing, Emulsion Stability, Formulation Versatility, Processing Benefits, Smooth Spreadability, Texture & Sensory
INCI Name	Acrylates Copolymer
Usage Rate	2%-8%
Functional Type	Polymer Thickeners, Rheology Modifiers, Suspension Agents, Thickeners & Rheology Modifiers
Phase Compatibility	Cool-Down Phase, Water Phase
Application Area	Body, Face, Hair, Scalp
Product Type Suitability	Cleansers, Conditioners, Creams & Lotions, Gels, Hair Styling, Masks & Treatments, Serums & Essences, Shampoos, Sun Care
Certifications	Cruelty-Free, Vegan
Physical Form	Liquid

Frequently Asked Questions About AccessTHIX AQ-34C

It is a liquid thickener and rheology modifier that builds viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, and suspends particles, enabling clear gels and rich cleansers with smooth flow.

Start at 2–5% for lotions and cleansers. For firm gels or high-viscosity systems, use 5–8%, adjusting based on total solids, surfactant type, and electrolyte load.

No. It is fully cold-process compatible and thickens upon neutralization at room temperature.

Neutralization raises the pH using a base (e.g., NaOH, Triethanolamine, or Aminomethyl Propanol). As the pH approaches ~6.0–7.5, the polymer ionizes and swells, increasing viscosity and clarity.

Yes. It builds a stable network that effectively suspends insoluble particles, keeping them evenly distributed over shelf life.

Properly neutralized systems exhibit a short-flow, non-tacky feel that spreads smoothly and breaks cleanly without stringiness.

You can build viscosity either by neutralizing the polymer prior to emulsification or by adding/neutralizing post-emulsification. Choose based on process and target texture.

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