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 was designed to handle up to 10% salt in an aqueous gel, and doesn’t require neutralization. It works synergistically with fatty alcohols to increase viscosity dramatically in emulsions.
When used to produce a transparent aqueous gel, it produces products with an elegant skin feel and velvety touch. Sprinkle Sepimax™ Zen over the aqueous phase and leave without stirring for a few to 8 hours 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.
Emulsifier-stabilizer and thickener - 0.5 - 5%
Suspending properties - from 0.15%
Appearance: White powder
pH as supplied: 4 - 5.5 (When formulated in a 1.5% aqueous gel)
Stability: Stable between pH 2 - pH 8
HLB: Not applicable (Anionic)
Country of Origin: France
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% oils.
Or sprinkle Sepimax™ Zen over the aqueous phase and blend using a whisk. When adding the electrolytes wait approximately 10 minutes after mixing to allow it to hydrate.
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.
It is compatible with silicons, mineral oil, emollient esters oils and butters. It is an anionic emulsifier, so it is not compatible with cationic ingredients.
Sepimax Zen is anionic so it does not work well with cationic ingredients such as BTMS-50 or Honeyquat PF. However, it does work very well with electrolytes and acidic pH levels.
Key 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
- No clumping
INCI: Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
