Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)

Rated 3.50 out of 5 based on 4 customer ratings

Price range: $11.12 through $1,724.99

Hydroxyethylcellulose is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer used as a thickener in aqueous cosmetic formulations. It forms clear gels and increases the viscosity of emulsions, shampoos, body washes, and shower gels.

SKU: 19548 Categories: Personal Care, Waxes, Thickeners, and Emulsifiers

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a water-soluble polymer known for its thickening and suspending capabilities in personal care and cosmetic products. The nonionic thickener easily disperses in water, ensuring minimal to no lumping, making it great for creating clear, stable gel products.

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is ideal for adjusting consistency, enhancing stability, and providing a luxurious feel in liquid soaps, serums, and hair styling gels. However, it will not thicken 70% isopropyl alcohol. HEC is only soluble in solutions containing no more than 30% alcohol.

Key Features of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC):

Stabilizing Agent: Enhances stability and consistency in personal care formulations without altering the final product’s appearance.
Usage: Suitable for creating clear gels, enhancing the feel of skin and hair care products, and stabilizing water-based emulsions.
INCI Name: Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Physical Form: Off-White, free-flowing, light-weight, granular powder
Solubility: Soluble in Water/Not soluble in Oils
Viscosity: 4800-6000 cps
PH: 6.0 (1% in water)

Formulation Guidelines:

Disperse into room temperature water
Heat to approximately 165-170F with mixing
Once the dispersion begins to thicken, remove from heat.
Cool down while continuing to stir until completely hydrated
solution can be used as is for a crystal clear product
No emulsifier needed for all water soluble ingredients

Recommended Percentages:

For Building water phase Viscosity/Stability: 0.1%- 0.5%
For high viscosity crystal clear gel: 1.0%-3.0%

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4 reviews for Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)

Rated 2 out of 5
K – February 25, 2024
It didn‚Äôt work for what I want
Rated 5 out of 5
Regina Gustin – February 25, 2024
Works as should, great price
Rated 5 out of 5
Regina Gustin (verified owner) – June 23, 2023
Good price and works.well. second time purchasing so definitely recommend
Rated 2 out of 5
K (verified owner) – August 9, 2023
I‚Äôm not sure but this hec didn‚Äôt work for my dish and laundry detergent as a thickener. I‚Äôm not sure if it can tolerate that much active matter surfactants base but i struggled with it a lot. I worked with it at 1% in a room temperate water and then added sodium hydroxide solution to it and it thickened beautifully but once I added the rest of the ingredients , it never cleared up, it looked foamy even after a month. Not sure of their quality of the product. I do question it.