CARBOMER/PAPAIN CROSSPOLYMER

Sodium Chloride collapses Carbomer gel networks: the electrolyte screens the polymer's anionic charges, so viscosity drops sharply and the gel can break. If salt is needed (osmotic/sensorial), switch the thickener to a salt-tolerant rheology modifier (e.g. a Sclerotium/Xanthan gum or a salt-tolerant acrylates copolymer), or remove the sodium chloride.

Magnesium Chloride destabilizes Carbomer gels more aggressively than sodium: the divalent Mg2+ ion both screens and crosslinks the polymer's anionic groups, collapsing viscosity and often precipitating the carbomer. Thicken with a salt-tolerant rheology modifier (Sclerotium/Xanthan gum or a salt-tolerant acrylates copolymer) instead of carbomer, or remove the magnesium salt.

Calcium Chloride destabilizes Carbomer gels: the divalent Ca2+ ion screens and crosslinks the polymer's anionic charges, collapsing viscosity and risking precipitation. Switch to a salt-tolerant thickener (Sclerotium/Xanthan gum or a salt-tolerant acrylates copolymer), or remove the calcium salt.

Potassium Chloride collapses Carbomer gel networks the same way sodium chloride does: the electrolyte screens the polymer's anionic charges and viscosity drops sharply. Use a salt-tolerant rheology modifier (Sclerotium/Xanthan gum or a salt-tolerant acrylates copolymer), or remove the potassium chloride.

Aluminum Chlorohydrate is acidic and strongly polyvalent, so it collapses and precipitates Carbomer gels. Antiperspirant gels should be thickened with an aluminum-compatible rheology modifier (a suitable acrylates copolymer or a cellulose gum), not carbomer.