what is carbomers

Have you ever wondered why creams and lotions have a gel-like texture? Or why cosmetic product formulations sit and spread so well on the skin? The answer lies in an unfamiliar yet highly important name:     Carbomer    . This ingredient, which you might easily overlook when reading the list of ingredients on packaging, plays the role of an "architect" in the world of beauty. With its exceptional capabilities, Carbomer imparts consistency, stability, and ideal texture to products. In reality, the creams, gels, and serums we use every day would turn into a thin, unusable liquid without the presence of this compound. The following article provides a more detailed explanation of Carbomer, its properties, and its applications.

 

      

 

       What is Carbomer?

 

Carbomers are     high-molecular-weight synthetic polymers of acrylic acid     that are extensively used in the cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries. Due to their exceptional ability to absorb and retain water, these compounds are utilized as     thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers     in the formulations of various products such as gels, creams, lotions, and shampoos. Carbomers form a gel-like structure in the presence of water, which improves the viscosity and stability of the final product, allowing manufacturers to create different textures, from thin lotions to thick gels, by adjusting its concentration.

 

      

 

       Chemical Structure of Carbomer

 

Carbomer is a type of synthetic polymer obtained from the     copolymerization     (simultaneous polymerization) of     acrylic acid     with a     cross-linking agent     (such as allyl pentaerythritol). This process creates an interconnected polymer network that resembles a three-dimensional mesh structure. After this stage, the Carbomer is prepared by further neutralizing the acidic groups present in the structure using a base, such as sodium hydroxide. This unique chemical structure provides Carbomer with the ability to     absorb large amounts of water and swell    , which is the basis of its thickening and gelling properties. To better understand the structure of this polymer, the structure of its monomer, acrylic acid, is illustrated below. Carbomer is formed by linking together the repeating units of this monomer.

 

      

 

       Key Characteristics of Carbomer

 

Due to its structure, Carbomer possesses very important characteristics that have made it a widely used substance in various industries. This substance works well at low concentrations (usually     0.1% to 3%    ) and has an     acidic nature     due to its acidic groups. Carbomer is known as a     thickening agent, emulsifier     (stabilizer for oil and water mixtures),     suspending agent     (suspending solid particles), and     film-forming agent    . These properties help products achieve a uniform and stable texture. Furthermore, Carbomer is stable against chemical changes and usually does not cause any skin sensitivity or irritation. A crucial point in its use is its     sensitivity to salt electrolytes and strong acids    , as these substances can cause a loss of its viscosity and consistency. Therefore, this must be considered in product formulations.

 

      

 

       Types of Carbomer

 

As we have seen, Carbomers play a vital role in the texture and consistency of cosmetic and personal care products. But the interesting point is that this substance is not just one type; rather, it is a collection of different polymers with varying characteristics and applications. Their main difference lies in their molecular structure, weight, and the type of chemical bonds, which dictates that each one is designed for a specific purpose. We will now introduce and examine the most important types of Carbomers to become more familiar with the unique capabilities of each.

 

         Carbomer 910

Carbomer 910 is one of the well-known types of these polymers used as an effective     thickener and emulsifier     in various formulations. Due to its specific molecular weight and polymer structure, this type of Carbomer helps create a stable and uniform texture in products such as lotions and gels. Its use results in products that spread easily on the skin and create a pleasant sensation.

 

         Carbomer 934

Carbomer 934 is another example from this family that is often used due to its     high thickening power     and significant     viscosity    . This type of Carbomer is widely used specifically in the production of     clear and stable gels    , such as therapeutic gels or hair styling gels. Its unique characteristics allow formulations to achieve the desired consistency and thickness even in small amounts.

 

         Carbomer 940

Carbomer 940 is one of the     most widely used     types of Carbomers in the cosmetic industry. Due to its exceptional ability to create     clear and stable gels    , this polymer is ideal for manufacturing products such as facial serums, hygiene gels, and gel-like creams. Carbomer 940 significantly helps to increase formulation stability and improve the consumer's sensory experience.

 

         Carbomer 941

This type of Carbomer, with its specific molecular weight and characteristics, is suitable for formulations that require     moderate thickening     and a     smoother consistency    . Carbomer 941 is often used in products that need to be easily dispensed from a pump or tube and glide smoothly over the skin. This feature makes it an excellent choice for producing light lotions and emulsions.

 

         Carbopol 934P

    Carbopol 934P     is a special version of Carbomer 934 that complies with     pharmaceutical standards    . Due to its high purity and strict quality control in the production process, this type of Carbomer is mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry for preparing     topical medicinal gels and creams    . Its safety and stability characteristics guarantee the quality and effectiveness of the final product.

 

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       Carbomer Manufacturing Process

 

The manufacturing of Carbomer is a precise and multi-stage process that ultimately leads to the production of a white, fluffy powder. First, the main raw materials, including     acrylic acid, an initiator, a cross-linking agent, and solvents    , are carefully mixed together. This mixture is then placed in a special reactor, and after nitrogen gas injection to remove oxygen, it is slowly heated to a temperature of     50 to 73 degrees Celsius    . The     polymerization     process that occurs at this stage typically lasts between 4 to 8 hours. After the reaction is complete, the resulting material is filtered, washed, and then dried to obtain the final Carbomer powder. This production method, due to the precise control of temperature and materials, gives Carbomer its property of     high stability     and     optical clarity exceeding 93%    , which indicates its high quality and purity.

 

      

 

       Applications of Carbomer in the Cosmetic and Personal Care Industries

 

Carbomer plays a key role in the structure and texture of many cosmetic and skincare products. As a     thickening and stabilizing agent    , this substance imparts a soft and uniform texture to creams, lotions, and sunscreens. Its use as a     raw material for cosmetics and personal care products     in items such as serums and anti-acne gels helps with the uniform distribution of active ingredients and enhances the feeling of softness. Furthermore, Carbomer 940 is particularly effective in producing     clear and oil-free gels     such as hair gel or hand sanitizing gels, providing the desired consistency without causing heaviness or stickiness. This feature makes it an ideal option for manufacturing completely transparent and brilliant gels. In addition, in cosmetic products like foundation and mascara, it helps to     stabilize components     and prevent their separation.

 

      

 

       Applications of Carbomer in the Pharmaceutical Industry

 

Due to its unique properties, Carbomer has wide applications in the pharmaceutical industry as one of the     pharmaceutical raw materials    . As a     pharmaceutical gel base    , it is used in the manufacturing of topical gels such as anti-inflammatory or anesthetic gels, which leads to uniform spreading and improved drug absorption in the target area. In ophthalmic drugs, such as artificial tears, Carbomer is used to     increase the adherence of the drug to the eye surface     and prolong its effect. Also, in oral preparations like suspensions, this substance acts as a     suspending agent     to prevent the sedimentation of insoluble particles. Another important application is its use in     drug delivery formulations     such as slow-release tablets, which help regulate the rate of drug release in the body. Finally, Carbomer is also used as a     bioadhesive     in the manufacturing of medicated dermal patches to increase their adherence to body tissue.

 

      

 

       Applications of Carbomer for Skin and Skincare Products

 

Carbomer alone is not capable of treating skin conditions, but it acts as a crucial "supportive role" in product formulations. By providing a suitable medium, this substance helps the     optimal functioning of other active ingredients    . In fact, Carbomer gives skincare products     consistency and texture    . As a thickening agent, it helps to     control the stickiness and flow     of products such as creams and lotions so they spread easily and uniformly on the skin. This feature makes the user experience more pleasant and adds a feeling of softness and smoothness.

 

Furthermore, Carbomer plays an important role in     increasing product stability and uniformity    . This substance prevents the separation of oily compounds and liquids, creating a cohesive and stable system. In this way, products such as emulsions and lotions remain uniform without separating into two phases or having their components divide. Carbomer also easily     absorbs and retains water     and can swell up to a thousand times its initial volume. This property helps to     improve the overall texture     of the product and prepares it for moisture absorption and retention.

 

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       Difference Between Carbomer and Xanthan Gum

 

Although both Carbomer and     Xanthan Gum     are used as thickening and stabilizing agents in various industries, their origin and structure are completely different. Carbomer is a     synthetic polymer     synthesized from oil and fossil raw materials. This feature gives it special capabilities in creating gel-like and transparent textures. In contrast,     Xanthan Gum has a natural origin     and is obtained through     bacterial fermentation    , making it biodegradable. However, both substances perform very well in terms of water retention and creating viscosity and contribute to improving the stability and final texture of products.

 

      

 

       Carbomer Price

 

Carbomer is used in various industries due to its excellent properties in     suspension, stability, and thickening    . This substance demonstrates unparalleled performance as a     gelling agent and emulsifier    , especially in low-pH formulations. These very features have made manufacturers in the cosmetic and personal care industry some of the biggest buyers and consumers of this polymer. The high demand for this product in the beauty industry influences its price, as Carbomer is a key ingredient for producing high-quality products with a uniform texture and long shelf life. For this reason, the Carbomer market is heavily dependent on the needs of this industry.

 

      

 

       Conclusion

 

Carbomer is a synthetic and widely used polymer in the cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries that imparts a unique texture to products. This substance acts as a     thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier    , creating a uniform, stable, and pleasant texture in products such as creams, lotions, and gels. The various types of Carbomer, each with its specific characteristics, are used for different purposes in formulations. Although Carbomer alone does not have therapeutic properties for the skin, it helps     increase the effectiveness of products by improving texture and stability    , and is therefore considered a crucial and safe component in modern production.

 

Persia Kamandar Paytakht Company (supplier of chemical raw materials), as one of the pioneers in the field of     supplying pharmaceutical raw materials     and     supplying cosmetic and personal care raw materials    , plays a vital role in meeting the needs of Iran's pharmaceutical industry. By focusing on quality and standards, this company imports the raw materials required for the production of various medicines from top global manufacturers. The activity of Persia Kamandar Paytakht not only helps improve the quality and effectiveness of domestically produced medicines but also contributes to the stability of the supply chain in this sensitive and strategic industry.