How does EASONZELL™ HEC series affect the texture and feel of daily chemical products? How to balance its thickening effect and tactile experience?

EASONZELL™ HEC series are commonly used thickeners in the daily chemical industry and are widely used in skin care, cleaning, washing and other products. Not only does it improve product consistency and stability, it also has a significant effect on optimizing texture and feel. In daily chemical formulations, texture and feel are key factors that determine the user experience of the product, and the choice of thickener directly affects these properties. This article will discuss in detail how the EASONZELL™ HEC series can improve the thickening effect while maintaining an excellent touch experience, and how to balance the relationship between the two in the formula.

1. Thickening mechanism of EASONZELL™ HEC series
EASONZELL™ HEC is a nonionic thickener with good thickening properties. Its thickening effect mainly comes from the hydroxyethyl groups in its molecular structure. These groups expand in aqueous solution and form a stable three-dimensional network structure, thereby increasing the viscosity of the solution. Unlike other thickeners, the thickening process of the HEC series is relatively mild and can achieve significant viscosity increases at lower concentrations without irritating the skin. Therefore, it is widely used in daily chemicals such as facial creams, shampoos, and shower gels. in the product.

Advantages of thickening effect:
Low concentration and high viscosity: HEC can provide sufficient viscosity increase at a low addition amount to prevent the product formula from becoming too viscous.
Mild and non-irritating: HEC does not contain ions, has a mild formula, is less irritating to the skin, and is suitable for sensitive skin and infant products.
Strong stability: HEC has a stable structure and shows good thickening effect and stability under a wide pH range and temperature conditions.
2. Effect of EASONZELL™ HEC on texture
In daily chemical products, texture is directly related to the look and feel of the product and the user experience. EASONZELL™ HEC can give the formula a fine, smooth texture, making the product easy to spread without leaving a heavy sticky feel when applied.

Smooth texture: Because HEC molecules can form a dense network structure, it can bring a smooth touch to the product, making the product light but not heavy.
Rheological properties: HEC has good shear thinning properties, that is, when the product is subjected to external forces such as extrusion or stirring, the viscosity decreases, making it more fluid during application and easy to spread evenly, improving the user's application experience.
Improve formula stability: HEC's network structure can prevent the oil phase and water phase from separating, allowing products such as creams and shampoos to maintain a uniform texture, effectively extending the storage period of the product.
3. The impact of EASONZELL™ HEC on hand feel
Hand feel plays a vital role in the user experience of daily chemical products. The cellulose structure of EASONZELL™ HEC can bring a gentle, skin-friendly touch, making the product softer and more comfortable when it comes into contact with the skin.

Light and non-sticky: The fiber structure of HEC prevents the formula from producing a heavy and sticky feeling on the skin. It is suitable for skin care products that want fast absorption and light weight, such as essences, gels, etc.
Good water absorption: HEC has high water absorption capacity and can form a thin moisturizing film on the skin surface, providing a certain water-locking effect without causing the skin to feel stuffy.
Improve the slipperiness of the product: During use, the fiber component of HEC can reduce friction, making the product smoother and avoiding a pulling sensation when applying.
4. Methods to balance thickening effect and tactile experience
In the formulation of daily chemical products, how to ensure product consistency while maintaining its light feel is an important formulation design challenge. The following methods can effectively balance the thickening effect and tactile experience of EASONZELL™ HEC:

Choose the appropriate HEC concentration
Different concentrations of HEC produce different thickening effects and feel in products. Under normal circumstances, the stickiness of the product can be reduced by reducing the amount of HEC added to achieve a light and smooth effect.

Mix other thickeners
Combining HEC with other thickeners (such as xanthan gum, carbomer, etc.) can improve the structural stability of the formula, while reducing the stickiness of HEC itself, making the product feel better. For example, adding a small amount of carbomer to cleansing products can enhance the stability of the foam without affecting the smooth feel of HEC.

Adjust recipe pH and temperature
The performance of HEC will vary under different pH and temperature conditions. By adjusting the pH value and heating temperature of the formula, the performance of HEC can be optimized so that it can achieve the desired thickening effect without affecting the feel of the product.

Add oily ingredients and adjust the oil-water ratio
In oil-water formulas such as lotions and creams, by appropriately adding oily ingredients, the watery feel brought by HEC can be balanced, making the product more suitable for the lipophilic layer of the skin. Adjusting the oil-to-water ratio can also help prevent the product from feeling too heavy.

5. Application examples of EASONZELL™ HEC in different products
EASONZELL™ HEC is widely used in various daily chemical products. Different formulation requirements will put different requirements on the thickening effect and feel of HEC. The following are several typical application scenarios:

Skin Care Serums: Using HEC in lightweight skin care serums provides a lightweight, easily absorbed feel while maintaining the fluidity and evenness of the formula.
Facial cleanser and shower gel: Adding HEC to cleansing products can not only increase the consistency of the product and make the foam more stable, but also provide a mild slippery feel and reduce friction on the skin.
Creams and Creams: In cream products, HEC can increase the consistency of the texture, making the product easier to apply evenly, improving moisturizing effect without leaving the skin feeling sticky.