Crothix is very like PEG-150 distearate used to thicken as well, but it is a com

plex ester, whereas PEG-150 distearate is not a complex ester. It's not a big di
fference, and I understand you can substitute one for the other. I've never used
PEG-150 distearate, so I can't confirm this, but they do appear to be interchan
geable. So feel free to experiment using PEg-150 distearate in place of Crothix
and let me know what happens!
As a bonus, liquid Crothix contains PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides (coconut ba
sed), which offer superfatting and emollient properties.
So to sum it up - Crothix is a thickener, irritant mitigator, foam stabilizer, a
nd emollient for surfactant systems. (Feel free to insert your own jokes about i
rritation mitigation here...I have a ton of them referring to my neighbours.)
How to use it...I generally use Crothix at 1 to 2% surfactant mixture. You can u
se it up to 8%, but this will result in goo, so I don't suggest it. (Although yo
u can always make a jar of bubble slime in green for your kids! They love it!) A
lways add Crothix when your mixture has been fragranced, preserved, and everythi
ng else and when it has completely cooled. I mean really cool. I mean the next d
ay kind of cool. You will never know how thick it is going to be until it is com
pletely cooled (I think I've made the point).
Citrus will thicken the mixture at first but will eventually thin out to be only
slightly thicker than water. I make the body wash with all the ingredients - EX
CEPT CROTHIX - then let it sit overnight in a well covered Pyrex jug. Do not bot
tle it yet! The next morning I check the viscosity, then add 1% Crothix. Check.
Is it okay? Usually it is, but sometimes I might have to add up to 0.5% more and
perhaps another 0.5% more, but never ever more than 2% (my personal preference)
.
For more information on the effects of fragrances on viscosity of surfactant sys
tems, please check out the post on fragrances and viscosity from March 7th and f
ragrances and clarity from March 6th.
Yes, you can get Crothix pastilles that are a tiny bit cheaper than the liquid,
but this is just a bad idea. I can make exactly the same body wash recipe five t
imes in a row with the same fragrance oil and 2% Crothix might result in a thin
liquid or body wash Jell-O! Using the pastilles means you have to add them at th
e beginning and heat your surfactant mixture then wait for it to cool completely
before finding out if it is thick enough. And you can't really go back and heat
it up without compromising the preservative system. And it doesn't contain the
PEG-6, so you're lacking an emollient there. So I always suggest you pay the ext
ra $1 or so for the liquid!