Product Description

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC, CAS:9004-62-0) is a non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ether refined from natural plant cellulose via chemical modification. It dissolves rapidly in both cold and hot water to form transparent, smooth aqueous solution with adjustable viscosity. As a multi-functional rheology modifier in cosmetic and personal care formulas, it delivers excellent thickening, suspension, emulsion stabilization, film-forming and water-locking effects, featuring outstanding salt tolerance, wide pH compatibility and ultra-low irritation to skin and scalp. It endows finished products with comfortable shear-thinning texture: thick when squeezed out from packaging, easy to spread on skin and hair without sticky residue, widely applicable to various water-based daily care formulations.

COA

Items	Specifications	Test Results
Appearance	White to off-white fine powder	Complies
Odor	Odorless or slight inherent cellulose odor	Complies
Loss on Drying	≤5.0%	3.25%
Assay	≥5.0%	2.18%
Heavy Metal Total	≤10mg/kg	Complies
Lead (Pb)	≤2.0mg/kg	Complies
Arsenic (As)	≤1.0mg/kg	Complies
Mercury (Hg)	≤0.1mg/kg	Complies
Microbiology
Total Plate Count	≤1000cfu/g	<96cfu/g
Yeast & Moulds	≤100cfu/g	<8cfu/g
E.Coli, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus	Negative	Negative

Functions and Effects

★Efficient thickening & clear gel formation

Instantly thicken aqueous systems to create crystal transparent gel texture, no turbidity or flocculation.

★Strong system stability & excellent salt resistance

Non-ionic structure compatible with surfactants, electrolytes and most cosmetic raw materials, prevent layering.

★Gentle film-forming & mild moisturizing effect

Form breathable protective film on epidermis and hair surface to reduce moisture evaporation.

Application Fields

It is widely added into shampoo, body wash, facial cleanser, transparent hair gel, aloe vera gel, moisturizing lotion, facial mask and toner with recommended dosage 0.2%–2.0%; it can be combined with panthenol, hyaluronic acid, plant extracts and cationic conditioners to stabilize surfactant systems, prevent raw material precipitation and layering, optimize product rheology and improve spreading feel. It builds lightweight breathable film on skin and hair to lock surface moisture, upgrade the silky touch of wash-off products and enhance the suspension effect of tiny particles in serums and gels. It has excellent water solubility and stable performance in cosmetic systems within pH 4.0–10.0. It is non-irritating to normal and sensitive skin & scalp, with high safety for long-term topical application and baby care formulas.

Business Scope

0421001

Packaging And Transportation Methods

001

Certificationss

222

FAQ

Q1: What is the core function of HEC in cosmetics?

A1: HEC mainly acts as thickener, rheology modifier and stabilizer. It thickens water-based formulas, stabilizes surfactant washing systems, suspends insoluble components and improves product texture.

Q2: Why is HEC widely used in shampoo and body wash?

A2: It has strong salt and surfactant tolerance, effectively prevents shower gel/shampoo from thinning and delamination, and brings smooth rinsing feeling without slimmy residue.

Q3: How to dissolve HEC powder correctly to avoid agglomeration?

A3: Slowly sprinkle HEC into continuously stirring room-temperature water, keep stirring until fully hydrated and dissolved; pre-disperse with ethanol or glycerin in advance for faster dissolution.

Q4: What viscosity grades can you supply for cosmetic use?

A4: We provide low, medium and high viscosity grades (500–100000 mPa·s), low viscosity for lotion/toner, high viscosity for hair gel and thick mask gel.

Q5: Is HEC safe for sensitive skin and baby products?

A5: HEC is plant-derived non-ionic polymer, non-toxic, non-irritating and non-allergenic, fully compliant for sensitive skin care and infant gentle cleaning formulas.

Q6: What raw materials cannot be matched with HEC?

A6: It has ultra-wide compatibility, only strong oxidizing substances and high-concentration strong acid/alkali will affect its viscosity stability.

Q7: What will cause HEC finished product viscosity decline?

A7: Excessively high temperature, long-term strong ultraviolet irradiation, extreme pH value and heavy metal ions will gradually degrade its molecular chain and reduce viscosity.

Q8: What is the difference between HEC and CMC in cosmetic formulations?

A8: HEC is non-ionic with excellent salt and surfactant resistance, ideal for shampoo, shower gel and electrolyte-containing formulas; CMC is anionic and easy to be affected by electrolytes, mostly used for simple water-based lotions and food thickening.

How To Cooperate With Us?

Our address

No. 56, Jinye 1st Road, Hi-Tech Zone, Xi'an,Shaanxi Province, China

Phone Number

18092919441

E-mail

peri@taianbio.com

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