INCI: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Solubility: Cold water dispersible (See technical guidance below)

Use rate: 0.2 – 3.0% (0.2 – 0.5% for emulsions, 1% and above for gels)

Hydration time: Immediately in cold water.

pH Stability: 3.0 – 9.0

Temperature tolerance: Avoid temperatures above 85°C

Viscosity 2% in H2O: 200,000

Appearance: Free-flowing off-white, granular powder with a characteristic aroma

Storage: Store in an airtight, cool, and dark place

TECHNICAL GUIDANCE – MIXING

1. HMPC 100K hydrates in contact with water. The polymer is best added to the water-free medium (such as glycerin) to form a slurry. This slurry can then be added to the water phase with mixing. Continue mixing until the polymer is fully hydrated.
2. Alternatively, HPMC 100K can be added to cold water directly – this should be done slowly (sprinkled) with continuous mixing to prevent clumping. Continue mixing until the polymer is fully hydrated.
3. You can also mix using and Hot/Cold dispersion method: Dispersion: Disperse HPMC 100K to hot water (1/3 of the water phase) between 75 – 85°C, with moderate mixing. HMPC will not dissolve at this temperature. Minor ingredients can be added here. Hydration: Cool and dilute by adding the balance of the water phase (the diluted water must be cool – at room temperature or lower, e.g. 5° Continue moderate mixing until viscosity builds and the solution clarifies. Blending: Blend in ingredients like surfactants, salts, cationic polymers, amides, and fragrances. The ideal temperature is between 34 – 45°C. The solution could be about this temperature once the cool water is added to the heated water phase Mix until homogenous and run quality control tests.

NOTES:

• HPMC K100 has a wide pH range and is nonionic. It can however lose viscosity in extreme pH formulations beyond 3-11.
• HPMC is considered the best cellulose derivative for surfactant formulas. Yet, viscosity can be influenced by everything in a surfactant formula.
  • Glycerin is the preferred humectant to use
  • Surfactant concentration
  • Surfactant pairing (some surfactants thicken better, some surfactants boost viscosity, etc)
  • Polymer concentration
  • Other ingredients in your formula.

It is the formulator’s job to conduct trials to find out the most ideal dynamics for each unique formula.