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Essentially Natural

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (Clear Gel Thickener) - Essentially Natural

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (Clear Gel Thickener) - Essentially Natural

R89.00
R89.00

3 in stock — ready to ship.
INCI: Hydroxyethyl cellulose

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is a plant-derived thickening gum used to create smooth clear gels and to build viscosity in water-based personal care formulas. It is a non-ionic rheology modifier that hydrates without needing heat, although gentle warming can help speed up the process. This ingredient is especially valued for making elegant gels with a smoother feel and less stringiness than some other gums. It is a raw formulation ingredient, not a finished product.

♡ Why we love it: Hydroxyethyl Cellulose because gives formulators a reliable way to create cleaner-feeling gels and improve texture without overly complicated processing. It is especially useful when clarity, glide, and a non-tacky gel feel matter.

This product is certified: Vegan and Beauty Without Cruelty.

Need detailed info? COAs and SDSs are available — just send us the product name and batch number, and we’ll gladly share them with you.
  • INCI Name: Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
  • Appearance: White powder
  • Solubility: Water soluble
  • Ionic Character: Non-ionic
  • pH: 6
  • Typical Usage Rate: 0.1 to 3%
  • Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Sodium Acetate, Water, Cellulose, Ethanedial
  • Clear gel formulations
  • Thickening shower gels, shampoos, and conditioners
  • Improving glide and texture in water-based personal care products
  • Helping suspend small amounts of oils in suitable gel systems
  • Building viscosity in water-based formulas without heat

    Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Is For:

  • DIY makers and formulators creating clear gels and water-based products
  • Formulas that need viscosity build without heat processing
  • Surfactant systems that benefit from improved texture and performance
  • Makers who want a smooth gel feel without a stringy finish

    • Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Is Not For:

  • Finished skincare use without formulation
  • Projects where powdered thickeners cannot be weighed and dispersed accurately
  • Formulas built around non-ionic surfactants where this material is not the right fit according to the source guidance
  • As a Clear Gel Thickener: Use 0.1 to 3% in the water phase to build viscosity, then allow time for full hydration and clarity development.
  • As a Surfactant Formula Thickener: Add at low levels to increase viscosity and improve feel in compatible cleansing bases.
  • As a Dispersion Method With Glycerine: Pre-blend the powder into vegetable glycerine to wet it out, then add the rest of the water phase while mixing well.
  • As a Direct Sprinkle Method: Sprinkle into the water phase under high-shear mixing until uniform, then allow the mixture to finish hydrating.
  • Processing Tip: Thickening typically develops over a few hours without heat.
  • Processing Tip: Gentle warming or warm water can speed up hydration.
  • For cosmetic formulation use only
  • Avoid inhaling powder and avoid creating airborne dust
  • Wear a mask and eye protection when handling powders
  • Avoid contact with eyes, if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water
  • Keep out of reach of children
  • Store tightly sealed in a cool, dark place away from moisture and heat

Q: Can Hydroxyethyl Cellulose make a clear gel?
A: Yes. It is commonly used to make clear gels when properly dispersed and fully hydrated.

Q: Does it need heat to work?
A: No. It hydrates without heat, though gentle warming can make the process faster.

Q: Why do clumps sometimes form?
A: Clumping usually happens when the powder hydrates too quickly on the surface, so pre-wetting with glycerine or using strong mixing helps.

Q: How long does it take to fully thicken?
A: Many formulas reach their final viscosity after a few hours as the gum fully hydrates.

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Produced in South Africa
Natural Origin
Vegan
Cruelty-Free
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
K
Karen B. (Cape Town, ZA)
This review is really about all the ingredients I

This review is really about all the ingredients I have purchased from you as my Go To Service Provider.

Thankyou for your in depth write ups on your pages, support in getting our BWC badge, support in being able to participate online with Formula Botanica courses.

We are excited to inform you that the first of our body care, skin care and eye care product ranges have received remarkable SABS laboratory analysis reports ensuring our products are stable safe and free of toxins and and the list goes on.

So this review is to say thankyou for allowing us to make a difference and drive sustainable living in our communities. keep moving forward!

K
Kim (Rustenburg, ZA)
Wonderful service again

The product is just what I was looking for and it was ready for collection within an hour, so impressive

E
Elizabeth V.d.W. (Oudtshoorn, ZA)

Excellent customer service and parcel deliver speedily. Thanks

V
Vernon J. (Ondjiva, AO)
Excellent service

Very good customer service , recieved my parcel in time, excellent communication between Essentially Natural and customer
I will highly recommend them
Vernon Joubert

E
Elna M. (Cape Town, ZA)
Better than gums

I use this instead of Xanthan gum, and the result is amazing.

L
Liza N. (Cape Town, ZA)
Very handy product

Thank you - this is a very handy product for formulating thinner lotions. The skin feel is not obvious, and is very effective at reducing separation in a thinner formulation. Thank you Essentially Natural for supplying this very effective and helpful ingredient!

C
Colleen M. (Durban, ZA)
Essentially Natural Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

This is a gelling agent I've wanted to try for a long time. It works so well in a face wash. I also made a jelly mask which turned out brilliantly. It only takes a little amount of the powder to gel up a product. It's affordable and easy to use. Love it!

M
Mariki V. (George, ZA)

Have not used this before but read a lot of good stuff about this and am excited to try this

S
Stacey F. (Johannesburg, ZA)
Awesome product

So excited to start using it. I just love the info and extra detail that is provided for each product on the website

E
Edwina S. (Cape Town, ZA)
Clear Gel

I so love this perfectly clear gel..great choice for eye gel indeed

U
Urvashi B. (Johannesburg, ZA)

The services rendered by Essentially Natural is awesome! Very professional, caring, prompt and friendly service. Thank you so much guys

L
Lerato (Johannesburg, ZA)
Best!

If you want a clear gel this is definitely the go to gelling agent!
I love that it doesn't have a tacky skin feel either.

R
Rotondwa (Johannesburg, ZA)
No regrets

I looked for this everywhere. I couldn't make clear gels because I couldn't find something like this. It's great, I love tgat a little actually goes a long way and it has a very nice feel to it.

S
Siphathisiwe N. (Port Elizabeth, ZA)

I love this product. It's just awesome 😍

M
Maseabe M. (Johannesburg, ZA)

Works perfectly in thickening the shampoo

S
Sonja B. (Cape Town, ZA)

Great product!

T
Thabisile M. (Pretoria, ZA)
Hydroxyethyl cellulose

Great product, worked very well in thickening my shampoo.

K
Karin (Rustenburg, ZA)

It worked perfectly to thicken up castle soap. Loving it!!!!

H
Huibregh V.D.M. (Durbanville, ZA)

Essentially Natural Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

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Theresa V.N. (Cape Town, ZA)
Essentially Natural Hydroxyethyl Cellulos

At the testing phase it worked beautifully. A clear, non slimey gel. However, after formulating a body wash it became unstable. pH at 5.6. It seems the culprit in destabilizing the formula was Benzoyl Benzoate found in the essential oil I used. Would love an opinion on this.

E
Eric

HI
is this type HEC high or low viscosity
about 50,000+ cP, they are two types og them is yours HEC low or high.
It depends on the polymers lenght

Essentially Natural

Hi there Eric,

Thank you for your question.

Based on the Technical Data Sheet, our Hydroxyethyl Cellulose is CELLOSIZE QP 100MH, which is considered a high molecular weight grade of HEC. According to the manufacturer's it has a 1% Brookfield viscosity of 4,400–6,000 cP, with the batch we currently hold testing at 5,739 cP.

We hope that helps, please do let us know if you have any further queries.

Kindest regards,
Aiden

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