Glossary · Formulation
What Is Pearlising Agent?
A pearlising agent is an ingredient that gives a product a pearlescent or opaque appearance, commonly glycol stearates, fatty alcohols or mica-based effect pigments. In liquid cleansers and shampoos it is added for visual effect, and it must remain stably suspended rather than settling during shelf life.
Why it matters when you source
Pearlising changes a product's viscosity and suspension behaviour, not only its appearance, which makes it a formulation decision rather than a decorative one. If appearance matters for your brief, raise it before the base is optimised.
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