Formulating Hydroalcoholic Gels with Carbopol Technical ... - Lubrizol

Clarity (% Transmission @ 420 nm)
All polymers suggested for this application have
excellent clarity in hydroalcoholic systems. Clarity
can be affected by many factors including dispersion
techniques, water source, emollient content,
formulation pH, type and level of fragrance and/or
dye addition. Hydroalcoholic gels made with
Carbopol polymers typically have clarity of 92-98 %T.
To obtain optimum clarity we recommend the
following:
• Use deionized water.
• Use Direct Method for Polymer Dispersion.
When using self-wetting polymers they should be
dispersed in water, not a water/alcohol mixture.
Reference TDS-103 for details on dispersing
traditional grade Carbopol polymers.
• Choose the correct neutralizing amine. It is
important to insure that the neutralizing amine is
compatible with the alcohol. Reference guidelines
provided.
• For maximum clarity, target appropriate pH.
We recommend the following pH:
� For Carbopol polymers such as Ultrez 10, 940
and 980, the optimum pH is typically around
7.0.
� For Carbopol Ultrez 21 and Ultrez 20 polymers,
the optimum pH is 5.8-6.3.
� We recommend evaluating various pH levels
and neutralizing amines to determine which
combination provides the best clarity for your
specific formulation.
• Choose a water-soluble emollient. Optimize use
level to provide best balance of clarity and
conditioning aesthetics.
• Use water soluble dyes. Examples of appropriate
colors are D&C Red #33, D&C Green #5,
and FD&C Blue #1. Dyes supplied as powders
should be made into dilute (1-3 wt%) solutions and
added at the end of the formulation.
• Addition of oil soluble fragrances. These
ingredients should be post added at low levels. A
solubilizer such as Polysorbate 20 at about 0.2
wt% may be necessary to insure good clarity.
• Filtration of end product will maximize final
clarity.
TDS-255
Formulating Hydroalcoholic Gels with Carbopol ® Polymers
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Frequently Asked Questions
• Hand hygiene in healthcare settings.
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has
issued guidelines for hand hygiene in healthcare
settings in order to more effectively reduce the
spread of hospital-based infections by healthcare
professionals. The CDC’s guideline, released in
October 2002, strongly recommends alcoholbased
hand sanitizers as the primary method of
hand hygiene among healthcare professionals
when hands are not visibly soiled. The World
Health Organization (WHO) issued “Hand Hygiene
in Health Care Guidelines” in May of 2009.
The following is a link to that document:
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/978924
1597906_eng.pdf
• Safety of direct food contact after using an
alcoholic hand sanitizer?
Using an alcoholic hand sanitizing gel is generally
considered safe. In Canada, workers in the food
industry are allowed to use alcoholic hand
sanitizing gels since they have been approved by
Health Canada. These systems are listed by the
Canadian Food Inspections Agency as acceptable
non-food chemical products. In the food service
industry, an alcohol sanitizer is considered helpful
as an extra hand disinfecting step after washing of
hands with soap and water. The FDA has approved
Carbopol polymers for indirect food contact when
used in hand sanitizers up to 0.5 wt%.
• Protection in Schools.
According to a study issued in October of 2000 in
The American Journal of Infection Control, the use
of hand sanitizing gels was shown to decrease
absenteeism due to illness among elementary
school students by 20%.
• Acceptance of Hand Sanitizing Gels.
According to a study published in the July, 2000
issue of Infection Control and Hospital
Epidemiology, use of a Hand Sanitizing Gel is
accepted by healthcare workers and does not
result in skin irritation and dryness when
compared to frequent soap and water hand
washing.
• Regulations.
Hand Sanitizing Gels may be regulated as drug
products. Review your country’s regulations to
insure compliance.