Views: 156 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-03-24 Origin: Site
I. Why Caprol is the "Universal Foundation" of Cosmetics Formulations:
In the cosmetics raw material industry, there is a type of raw material that appears in almost every type of formulation - from transparent gels to luxurious creams, from sunscreen lotions to alcohol-free hand sanitizers. It is Caprol. And in the field of Caprol, the Carbopol® series from Lubrizol is undoubtedly the industry benchmark.
The Carbopol® polymer, which was born over 50 years ago, is the first commercialized carbopol. It is still regarded as the highest-quality product on the market. For formulators, understanding the characteristics and application scenarios of different Carbopol brands is the foundation for creating outstanding products. This article will systematically present the application guidelines of Lubrizol's Carbopol series from the perspective of cosmetic formulations.
II. What is Carbopol? The chemical nature of Carbopol®
Carbopol® polymers are a type of high-molecular-weight, cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymers. All products have similar chemical properties, but through different cross-linking methods, polymer solvents, and molecular modifications, a diverse product line has been formed.
From a chemical classification perspective, the Carbopol series can be divided into three major categories:
Type | Chemical structure characteristics | Representative product |
| Homopolymer | Acrylic acid polymer cross-linked with allyl sucrose or allyl ether of pentaerythritol | 940, 980, 934, 71G, etc. |
| Copolymer | The copolymer of acrylic acid and C10-C30 alkyl acrylate that is cross-linked with pentaerythritol acrylate propyl ether | 1342, Pemulen Series |
| Hydrogel | A carbomer homopolymer or copolymer containing polyethylene glycol and long-chain alkyl acid ester block copolymers | Ultrez 10、ETD 2020 |
This meticulous molecular design enables different brands of Carbopol to have distinct advantages in terms of rheological properties, ion tolerance, and transparency.
III. Comparison and Application Guide of Common Carbopol Brands for Cosmetics
For cosmetic formulators, the key factors to consider when choosing Carbopol include: viscosity requirements, transparency requirements, electrolyte tolerance, and processing convenience. Here is a comparison of some of the most commonly used Carbopol products in the cosmetics field:
| Grade | Viscosity (0.5%, pH 7.5) | Transparency | Ion tolerance | Rheological properties | Typical applications |
| Carbopol 940 | 40,000 - 60,000 cP | Extremely high | Low | Short-term viscosity | Transparent gel, jelly-like products |
| Carbopol 980 | 40,000 - 60,000 cP | High | Low | Short-term viscosity | High-end transparent gel and essence solution |
| Carbopol 934 | 30,500 - 39,400 cP | Medium | Low | Short-term viscosity | Lotion, cream, suspension system |
| Carbopol 941 | 4,000 - 10,000 cP | High | Low | Continuous flow | Low-viscosity emulsion, spray |
| Carbopol Ultrez 10 | 45,000 - 65,000 cP | High | Low | Continuous flow | Self-wetting type, easy to process |
| Carbopol ETD 2020 | 47,000 - 77,000 cP | High | Medium | Short-term viscosity | Electrolyte-containing system, transparent gel |
| Pemulen TR-2 | - | High | High | Continuous flow | High electrolyte system, emulsion |
*Note: The viscosity of ETD 2020 was measured at a concentration of 1.0%.
IV. In-depth Analysis: Characteristics and Application Scenarios of Each Core Formula
1. Carbopol 940 / 980: The Gold Standard for Transparent Gels
Carbopol 940 and 980 are the go-to choices for creating transparent gels. They have similar viscosities and transparency levels. The main difference lies in the polymer solvent: 940 uses a benzene solvent (traditional type), while 980 uses a solvent blend system (without benzene).
Core features:
Extremely high gel transparency, suitable for making "jelly-like" products
A 0.5% addition amount can form a crystal-clear gel
Short rheological properties, good spreading performance
Typical application:
Skin care gel, facial mask gel
Hair gel, styling gel
Waterless hand sanitizer
Essence base
Key points for use: Capo 940 needs to be fully swollen in water (it is recommended to leave it for several hours or use heat assistance). Then, it should be neutralized with alkaline agents such as triethanolamine to a pH of around 7, and a transparent gel can be formed.
2. Carbopol 934 / 941: Stabilizer for emulsion systems
Carbopol 934 and 941 are more suitable for emulsion and cream formulations. 934 offers higher viscosity and suspension capabilities, while 941 is suitable for low-viscosity emulsions.
Core features:
Excellent emulsion stability performance
Excellent suspension ability, capable of stabilizing insoluble particles
Can be used in combination with other thickening agents
Typical application:
Moisturizing cream, moisturizing lotion
Sunscreen lotion
Suspension system containing powder particles
3. Carbopol Ultrez 10: A Self-Wetting Innovative Product
Ultrez 10 is a cutting-edge product launched by Lubrizol in recent years. Its most notable feature is the self-wetting function - it can be quickly dispersed directly into water without the need for special mixing procedures.
Core Strengths:
Simplify the production process and save processing time
Reduce dust飞扬 and improve working environment
Similar viscosity and transparency to 980
Applicable scenario: For mass production that emphasizes productivity, the Ultrez series is the ideal choice.
4. Carbopol ETD 2020: An upgraded version with enhanced electrolyte tolerance
The " Achilles heel" of traditional Carbopol is its sensitivity to electrolytes - it becomes diluted upon contact with salt. ETD 2020 has significantly improved its tolerance to electrolytes through molecular design.
Core Strengths:
Higher ion tolerance than traditional carbomer
Maintain high transparency and yield value
Short-term rheological properties, suitable for gel systems
Typical application:
Formulation containing active ingredients (such as salts)
Cleaning gel containing surfactants
Water-alcohol gel system
V. Important Update in 2026: Benzocarbopol Becomes Industry Standard
For professionals in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, August 1, 2026 is a crucial date - the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) will officially remove the monograph on benzocarbopol, and carbopol produced with benzene solvents will no longer meet the standards of the pharmacopeia.
The background of this change:
Benzene has been classified as a Class 1 solvent (known human carcinogen) by the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH).
During the pandemic period from 2020 to 2021, the FDA detected that some hand sanitizers contained benzene pollution, which raised great concerns about the safety of the raw materials.
The FDA has set the limit for benzene in finished pharmaceuticals at 2 ppm as of June 2022.
Impact on the cosmetics industry:
Although this regulation directly applies to pharmaceuticals and OTC products, it marks that non-toxic carboxymethylcellulose has become a new benchmark for industry safety standards. For cosmetics companies that prioritize brand reputation and product quality, switching to non-toxic products is a wise choice.
Lubrizol's solution:
Lubrizol has already launched the "Toxicity Preferred" carbomer series, which is produced using an ethyl acetate or ethyl acetate + cyclohexane co-solvent system and is completely free of benzene. The specific substitution suggestions are as follows:
| Traditional benzene-containing products | Recommended benzene-free alternatives |
| Carbopol 940 | Carbopol 980 |
| Carbopol 934 | Carbopol 974P / 5984 EP |
| Carbopol 941 | Carbopol 981 |
VI. Practical Suggestions for Formulation: How to Select the Appropriate Carbopol Grade
1. What are the main application scenarios of your formula?
├─ Transparent gel/serum → Choose the 940 series (or 980/Ultrez 10)
├─ Lotion/cream → Choose the 934 series
├─ Suspension system → Choose the high yield value products (934/ETD 2020)
└─ Spray/low viscosity products → Choose the 941 series
2. Does the formula contain electrolytes/surfactants?
├─ Yes → Consider ETD 2020 or Pemulen series
└─ No → Standard carbomer will suffice
3. Do you prioritize processing convenience?
├─ Yes → Ultrez 10 (self-wetting type)
└─ No → Traditional series
4. Are the products required to comply with the latest safety standards?
└─ It is recommended to choose the benzene-free series (980/981/974P/Ultrez/ETD, etc.)
Concentration usage suggestions:
Gel/Thickening Agent: 0.5% - 1.0%
Lotion/Cream: 0.1% - 0.5%
Suspension system: 0.2% - 0.6%
VII. Selecting the Best Partner for Your Formula
The Lubrizol Carbopol® series has evolved over 50 years and has established a complete product portfolio that covers almost all formula requirements. From the classic 940, 934, to the innovative Ultrez and ETD series, each product has its own unique design concept and application scenarios.
As a raw material supplier, we suggest that you:
Select the grade based on the texture, transparency and stability requirements of the target product.
Pay attention to the safety trends of benzene-free carbopol in 2026 and make preparations in advance
Make full use of the technical support provided by Lubrizol to optimize the formulation design.
If you need further technical consultation or sample support, please feel free to contact our technical team.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only. The specific formula design needs to be tested and verified according to the actual product requirements.
