Sepimax™ Zen

Sepimax™ Zen is a pre-neutralized polymer that can create transparent gels on its own or can work as a thickener and stabilizer in emulsions and surfactant systems.

It has been designed to take up to 10% salt in an aqueous gel and doesn’t require neutralization. Sepimax Zen can function together with fatty alcohols to increase viscosity to a significant amount in emulsions.

Sepimax™ Zen works synergistically with fatty alcohols, like cetyl, Cetearyl, or behenyl alcohol, at up to 1% in the oil phase of the product to dramatically increase viscosity.

When used with surfactants, Sepimax™ Zen increases foam density while thickening anionic and non-ionic surfactants. Used at 2%, it can produce soft and creamy foam and lather.

Sepimax™ Zen can be used to make low-pH gels and can be used with up to 4% glycolic acid, 0.1% magnesium chloride, and 0.2% EDTA.

Sepimax™  Zen is compatible with all emollients, silicone, and a number of butters.

Benefits

• Efficient use at low levels
• High resistance to electrolytes
• Wide pH range, even at acidic pH
• Suspending properties
• Synergies with other polymers or emulsifiers
• Elegant sensory profile
• No neutralization
• Can be used in hot and cold process formulations

INCI: Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Appearance: White Powder
Solubility: Water
Usage rate: 0.5 to 5%
Ionicity: Anionic
pH Stability: 2 to 8
Pro Tip: Sprinkle Sepimax™ Zen over the aqueous phase and leave without stirring for a few to 8 hours to hydrate. Or sprinkle Sepimax™ Zen over the aqueous phase and blend using the lowest speed – about 500 rpm – and increase the speed to 1500 rpm as you add the electrolytes, for approximately 10 minutes to allow it to hydrate.

When used to create a cream gel, sprinkle Sepimax™ Zen into the hot or cold oil phase. Then add your oil phase to your water phase.  The manufacturer advises up to 25% oil can be incorporated into the gel when coupled with a natural polymer like xanthan or guar gum, agar agar, pectin, cellulose derivatives, or gelatin at 1%. We think 25% oil might be optimistic with many formulations, but this may well depend on your formulation.

When used in a lotion, it can be used as a stabilizer for up to 15% oils and 4% electrolytes at as low as 2%. Without electrolytes, it can stabilize up to 20% of oils.