How to Use Starphere C5-YE36 in Your Formulations
Understanding Starphere C5-YE36
Starphere C5-YE36 beads are small, vibrant yellow spheres designed to make oral care products look and feel more engaging. Made from microcrystalline cellulose (plant-derived), they are fully biodegradable and safe for oral care applications. In clear or white gel toothpaste, they appear as bright yellow specks and gently disintegrate during brushing for a subtle sensory cue—without abrasiveness or residue.
For advanced formulators, the cellulose matrix is engineered to be soft and friable under brushing forces, ensuring complete breakdown and no gritty mouthfeel. The controlled particle size of 420–850 μm is optimized for suspension in high-viscosity oral care bases, providing long-term stability and uniform dispersion throughout the package.
Formulation Tips
Recommended Usage Rate: 0.5%–2% by weight. Start at ~1% for a noticeable but balanced visual effect; increase for higher speck density.
Incorporation: Add beads at the end of processing to the finished, thickened base. Use low-shear mixing (propeller or paddle). Excessive shear can prematurely rupture beads.
Suspension: Maintain a sufficiently structured gel network using rheology modifiers (e.g., Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Carbomer) to prevent settling and ensure uniform distribution over shelf life.
Temperature: Add at room temperature or during cool-down (< 40°C). Heating is unnecessary and should be avoided.
Key Performance Benefits
- Striking Visual Enhancement: Adds vibrant yellow specks that elevate the appearance and can signal flavor or function.
- Gentle Sensory Cue: Soft cellulose spheres disintegrate completely during brushing—no grit, no residue, non-abrasive to enamel.
- Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly: Plant-derived microcrystalline cellulose offers a sustainable alternative to plastic microbeads.
- Optimized for Suspension: 420–850 μm particle size remains evenly dispersed in high-viscosity gel systems for excellent stability.
- Easy to Formulate: Disperses readily with gentle mixing at cool-down; no heat or high shear required.
- Inert and Stable: Compatible with common oral care ingredients, including fluoride, abrasives, and flavors.