Sucraclear HC

Sucraclear HC, a natural gum blend

Sucraclear HC is a natural gum blend from the United Kingdom used to thicken and gel water-based cosmetics. It combines cellulose gum, carrageenan extract from Chondrus crispus, locust bean gum from Ceratonia siliqua and sucrose, giving the INCI Cellulose Gum, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose. It is an ivory to light beige powder that forms a clear gel in water, works between pH 4 and 11 and needs no neutralization. The smallest pack is 10 g.

Practical properties

The powder disperses at room temperature or with heat up to 80 °C, and thickening in hot water around 70 °C gives the fastest result. Gels tolerate electrolytes, which helps in products with salts, extracts or actives. A gel with 1.5% can carry up to 30% alcohol, although clarity drops. It can also suspend beads and exfoliating particles, and it is mild enough for baby care.

Use levels

The overall range is 0.5 to 2.5%. Skin, eye and intimate care gels use 0.5 to 2%. Thickening surfactant cleansers uses 0.5 to 2%. Stabilizing emulsions and improving fluid textures needs only 0.5 to 1%, and BB creams, tinted gels and fluids work well at about 1%.

Cold and hot process

For a cold gel, sprinkle the powder onto water under good stirring, or premix it with glycerin to avoid lumps, and stir until fully hydrated. For faster thickening, disperse it in water at about 70 °C, stir until smooth and let it cool.

Partners

Sucraclear makes a natural base for aloe vera gel products and for serums with hyaluronic acid liquid. Konjac Mannan is another plant gel former. More texture ingredients are listed in our cosmetic actives section.