Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether obtained by chemical modification of natural polymer cellulose. Due to its good water solubility, thickening, film-forming, water retention, non-toxicity and non-irritation, HPMC is widely used in many fields such as construction, medicine, food, and coatings. Especially in the daily chemical industry, HPMC is widely used in detergents, skin care products, hair care products, toothpaste and other products, and is currently one of the more ideal green multifunctional additives.
1. Basic properties and advantages of HPMC
Good water solubility: HPMC can be quickly dispersed in cold water to form a transparent viscous liquid, which is suitable for various daily chemical formulation systems.
High safety: It is a non-ionic, non-toxic and non-irritating ingredient, and can be widely used in skin contact products.
Good thickening and rheological control: It can provide different viscosity grades from low to high to meet various consistency requirements.
Excellent stability: strong acid and alkali resistance, salt resistance, good stability to electrolytes and other active substances in the formula.
Strong film-forming and moisturizing properties: It can form a flexible protective film on the surface of skin and hair, improving the comfort and moisturizing properties of the product.
2. Typical applications of HPMC in daily chemical industry
2.1. Shampoo and conditioner
In shampoo and conditioner, HPMC is used as a thickener and emulsifier stabilizer to make the product smooth, transparent, and give a good skin feel. It can also adjust the viscosity and suspension properties of the formula, so that the particulate components (such as plant extracts, pearlescent agents, etc.) in the shampoo are evenly distributed and improve stability.
2.2. Facial cleanser and shower gel
In cleansing products, HPMC can adjust the foam performance and give a good touch and moisturizing property. It can also stabilize the surfactant system, prevent stratification or precipitation, make the product smoother when used, and the skin is not tight after rinsing.
2.3. Lotions and creams
HPMC is mostly used as an emulsifier stabilizer and moisturizing ingredient in skin care lotions and creams. Its good film-forming property can form a protective film on the skin surface, which helps to reduce water evaporation and increase skin water content, thereby achieving a long-term moisturizing effect. At the same time, it is not easily oxidized and does not affect the efficacy of other active ingredients.
2.4. Mask and gel products
HPMC is particularly suitable for washable masks, sleeping masks and hydrogel products, and is used as a film-forming agent and texture regulator. It can make the gel texture refreshing and have good ductility. After forming a film, it is thin, transparent and has a high degree of adhesion, which helps the active ingredients penetrate the skin better.
2.5. Toothpaste
In toothpaste, HPMC can not only play a thickening and suspending role, but also enhance the stability of the paste and prevent dehydration and crystallization. In addition, its film-forming properties help to form a protective layer on the surface of the oral cavity, improving the comfort of oral cleaning.
2.6. Shaving cream and men's care products
HPMC can improve the ductility and lubricity of shaving cream, making shaving smoother and less irritating, and improving user experience. At the same time, it can form an isolation film on the skin surface to reduce the damage of the razor to the skin.
3. Precautions in the application of HPMC
Dissolution method: HPMC should be dispersed and dissolved in cold water to avoid direct addition in high-temperature water to cause agglomeration. It can be moistened with a small amount of warm water first, and then slowly stirred to completely dissolve it.
Viscosity selection: Different products should use HPMC of different viscosity grades. For example, transparent shampoo uses a low-viscosity model, and emulsion or cream products can use medium-high viscosity models.
Compatibility test: Although HPMC has good compatibility, it still needs to be tested for compatibility with other active ingredients in the formula to ensure the stability of the system.
4. Future development trend
As consumers pay more and more attention to natural, safe and environmentally friendly cosmetics, green additives such as HPMC, which are natural in origin, diverse in performance and moderate in cost, will occupy a more important position in daily chemical formulas. In the future, modified HPMC (such as cross-linked and microcapsule-coated) will also expand its functional boundaries and play a greater role in anti-pollution, oil control, anti-allergy and other fields.
As a multifunctional polymer material with superior performance, HPMC has broad application prospects in the field of daily chemical industry. Its thickening, emulsification, moisturizing, film-forming and stabilizing properties make it an indispensable and important raw material in the cosmetics industry. With the continuous innovation of formulation technology, HPMC will continue to provide strong support for improving product quality and optimizing user experience.
Post time: Jun-09-2025