Can Carbomer be effectively replaced with natural polymers?

Polyacrylic acid polymers have a special position within the rheology modifiers category as versatile, stable and inexpensive materials. However, they are synthetic and must be replaced if the product is to be marketed as natural.

The aim of this study was to select an effective replacement for Carbomer in an o/w emulsion, using combinations of natural polymers of polysaccharide type. Rheology (both flow and oscillatory) and texture analysis (immersion and de-immersion of a cylinder probe) were employed to determine complete rheological profiles of individual hydrogels, their selected combinations and corresponding emulsions. Sensory tests were than performed on the most successful prototypes and the Carbomer-containing benchmark.

This study has shown that Carbomer could not be replaced by a single natural polymer, and that the combination of thickening and gelling materials was necessary for obtaining an optimal alternative.