To manufacture gel, you simply need to mix gelling agents with appropriate proportions of water to form a semi-solid aerosol. Thickening (or gelling) agents help increase the viscosity of liquids without substantially altering their other properties. On their part, hydrocolloids used in making gels are usually in powder form but are derived from various sources and origins, including plants, marine, biotechnological, cellulose, and synthetic.

Regulations for the production of cosmetic and pharmaceutical gels differ in specification and enforcement. Cosmetic GMPs guide the production and sale of cosmetic gels. These are a set of guidelines highly encouraged by health regulatory bodies in several countries. On the other hand, several countries have enacted legislation guiding the production of pharmaceutical gels, in addition to pharmaceutical products regulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) also has standards promoting and regulating the production of pharmaceutical products.

Homogenization can make or mar your efforts. It serves several purposes such as reduction of particle size, dispersion, dissolution, mixing, emulsification, and encapsulation. The homogenization process involves the use of pressure to mix two items (in this case, powder and water) to create a uniform emulsion. While it’s certainly possible, it’s not advisable for you to homogenize your gel by hand. Since the homogenization process is so exacting, there are industrial, high-pressure homogenization equipment to help make the process smoother.