Karbomeeri

Karbomeeri, known in English as carbomer, is a family of high molecular weight crosslinked polymers derived from acrylic acid. These polymers are produced through free-radical polymerization and crosslinking with polyfunctional monomers (for example, allyl ethers of sucrose or similar crosslinkers). The resulting materials are water-swellable, giving thick, gel-like solutions when dispersed in water and neutralized.

Karbomeeri act primarily as thickening, suspending, and stabilizing agents in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. In their neutralized form—typically achieved with bases such as sodium hydroxide or triethanolamine—carbomer forms clear, viscoelastic gels. The thickening efficiency is high at low concentrations, and the rheology is typically shear-thinning. They are stable over a wide pH range after neutralization but can be affected by high ionic strength and by certain electrolytes.

Common applications include lotions, creams, gels, aerosols, and suspensions where uniform viscosity and suspension of insolubles are required. They are widely used in topical products, including moisturizers, sunscreens, and medicated gels, where they help improve texture, reduce phase separation, and stabilize emulsions.

Safety and handling: carbomers are generally regarded as safe in cosmetics when used as directed. They are supplied as fine powders or coarse dispersions and require proper dispersion with low-shear mixing to avoid lumping. Potential irritation is rare but can occur with high concentrations or inhalation of powder.