Lotion Viscosity Target Calculator

Work out lotion viscosity target instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Lotion Viscosity Target Calculator

In the semi-dilute regime, polymer solution viscosity rises roughly with the cube of concentration, so the concentration needed scales with the cube root of the viscosity ratio. Doubling viscosity needs about 26% more thickener, not twice as much — a distinction that saves a great deal of expensive polymer.

Formula

Concentration scaling

Required concentration = current concentration x (target viscosity / current viscosity)^(1/3)

Worked example

With the default values below, Lotion Viscosity Target Calculator returns Thickener Level Required of 0.5040%. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Current Viscosityminimum 0 cP: 4,000 cP
Target Viscosityminimum 0 cP: 8,000 cP
Current Thickener Levelaccepts 0–10 %: 0.4 %
Batch Sizeminimum 0 g: 1,000 g

Results

Thickener Level Required: 0.5040%
Additional Thickener To Add: 1.0397
Viscosity Ratio Target: 2.0000
Increase In Thickener Level: 0.1040%

Step by step

1Values used
2Concentration scaling
3Thickener Level Required= 0.5040
4Additional Thickener To Add= 1.0397
5Viscosity Ratio Target= 2.0000
6Increase In Thickener Level= 0.1040

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the cube law?

It is a reasonable guide for associative and cellulosic thickeners in the middle of their range. Carbomers respond much more sharply to neutralisation and salt, and structured emulsions depend on the internal phase volume instead.

Why does viscosity measurement need care?

These systems are shear thinning, so viscosity depends on spindle, speed and temperature. Comparisons are only meaningful at identical measurement conditions.