I got this in an email from essential wholesale: "Acacia gum is a great choice when looking for a natural solubilizer. Acacia gum, despite the word “gum” in its name, will not increase the viscosity of your recipe or create a gel. Instead, it will help essential oils stay solubilized in your toner or serum!"
I posted this for our chemistry experts to review. What do you say?
Interesting statement, but questionable. Acacia gum, is also widely known as Gum Arabic. It is used in the food industry as an "emulsifier" used to stabilize citrus oils in soft drinks, chewy candies, and icing. It's also used in paint production, a binder for watercolors, "viscosity control" in lithography and printing inks, photography, and ceramics. It's solubility in water is around 50% w/w, but shows almost no solubility in oil or ethanol.
For these reasons I question calling it a "natural solublizer,"and claiming that it "will not increase viscosity."
On a related issue, I see many reference suggesting using kaolin clay for this purpose. While kaolin does provide a nice slip and feel, bentonite clay is a much better absorbent. There are three forms, sodium, potassium, and calcium. Unless specified, you will probably be receiving sodium bentonite. Another good absorbent clay "Fullers Earth." It is a common ingredient in facial masks, and in the food industry to clarify liquids and decolorize oils. Some good sources are Earth Elements, Mountain Rose Herbs, and From Nature with Love.
A word of caution when buying colored clays. They may be natural, or kaolin clays colored with iron oxides.
All of that being said, I think every soaper should have a tee shirt that says "TRY IT AND SEE"
