Looking to swap out carbomer ingredients for something more natural? You’re not alone. With the rise of clean beauty, more formulators are searching for natural alternatives that still deliver that smooth, soft, and stable texture everyone loves.
At Alchemy, we’ve got a lineup of natural water thickeners that are easy to use, effective, and perfect for everything from clear gels to creamy body products.
Why Switch from Carbomer?
Traditional carbomers are synthetic and don’t break down easily, which means they can add to microplastic pollution.
Natural alternatives do the job just as well, for thick, stable, and smooth formulations, but with a much lighter footprint. They’re perfect for brands that want to be more transparent and eco-conscious (just like today’s savvy consumers are asking for).
Carbomer Alternatives That Perform
There are a range of alternatives to carbomers - For transparency, gums like Cellulose or Xanthan work well, while Guar or Tara gum shine in more opaque formulations with higher viscosities.
These effective alternatives have inspired our ready-to-use natural thickeners, that deliver high viscosity and great sensory feel, without compromising on performance or the planet. Helping you to replace carbomer’s unique velvety texture easily!
From transparent facial gels to luxurious body products, our natural water-phase thickeners offer excellent viscosity control, clean label appeal, and compatibility with a wide range of ingredients.
For Transparent Formulations
Our unique blends are ideal for serums, eye gels, and light emulsions where clarity and elegance matter. Helping you create luscious, silky feel feel-good formulations!
- A COSMOS-compliant natural viscosity modifier
- Delivers smooth, transparent, non-tacky gels
- Excellent for water-based systems with a low use level
💡 Formulation Tip: When using Clearthix® S, keep the pH between 5.0–6.5 for optimal clarity and stability. Add it slowly with high shear for best results.
- 100% natural water thickener
- Creates rich, transparent gels with suspending properties
- Suitable for surfactant systems or standalone use
Trouble replacing carbomer in surfactant-heavy formulas? Sclerothix® holds up well even in high-foam systems without compromising stability or texture.
For High Viscosity Formulation Needs
Need more structure without losing transparency? We’ve got the ingredient for you!
Clearthix® S steps up as a natural alternative, mimicking the smooth flow and shear-thinning behaviour of carbomer.
It is ideal for high-viscosity, transparent textures for products requiring both clarity and cushion.
For Stability & Skin Feel Formulation
When you need more than just thickening, like electrolyte resistance, high-temperature stability, and a non-sticky finish, Sucrathix VX delivers.
Sucrathix VX is a synergistic blend of natural gums, leaving a soft, non-tacky feel on the skin. Produces a shear-thinning, translucent, low viscosity gel in water, which is stable to electrolytes and high temperatures.
Great for leave-on skincare, sunscreens, and water-based actives.
Smooth Moves Start Here
Whether you’re replacing carbomer in a minimalist serum or creating a clean-label body gel, our natural, certified water thickeners are designed to help you formulate products that meet today’s sustainability standards without sacrificing performance.
Need samples, formulation tips, or technical documentation? Take a look at our document zone and formulation inspiration!
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