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Hair gel

A simple formula for a simple hair gel, as you also see at drugstores and supermarkets.

Supplies

  • 3 ml Polysorbate 20 [10430]
  • 22 drops (± 1 ml) HexaCon 91 [10306]
  • 8 drops (± 0.4 ml) HexaCol yellow [10781]
  • 0.8 g Sodium carbomer [16010]
  • 6 drops (± 0.3 ml) FO Vanilla beans [21113]
  • Gel jar with white lid 100 ml [14045]
  • White plastic spatula [14901]
  • Measuring spoon plastic 2.5 ml [30107]
  • Dropper pipette plastic 3 ml [30110]
  • Dropper pipette plastic 1 ml [30111]
  • 100 ml fresh tap water

Procedure

Using a plastic dropper, add about 3 ml of Polysorbate 20 into the gel jar, add HexaCon 91, FO Vanilla beans and HexaCol yellow and mix everything well with the white plastic spatula. Add 0.8 grams (about a level measuring spoon 2.5 ml) of sodium carbomer and stir this well into the syrupy mass. The smaller the grains, the better and faster the gel is made. Fill the jar with tap water little by little. Stir the contents well before adding some more water. When the gel is a bit thicker, you can put the lid on the jar and shake it for a while. Undissolved particles and clumps disappear over time, the fewer clumps the faster.

Polysorbate 20 allows HexaCon 91 and FO Vanilla beans to mix with water. HexaCon 91 is the preservative and FO Vanilla beans provides a pleasant floral scent. You can also use another FO (fragrance oil). HexaCol yellow is there for the colour, you can also choose a different colour here. Finally, sodium carbomer is the actual gel former. The gel former thickens the water into a gel. Normally the hair gel has a shelf life of at least 6-8 weeks, but it can be longer.

Schools: We use the above, in a slightly modified form, in our ‘Educational set making hair gel’ for schools. The package contains all the supplies and a worksheet to make with a larger group of students (or students on open days).