You have probably heard the term “emulsification,” and you probably have a good idea of what that means, but what does it mean to emulsify when you are making lotions? Lotions almost always contain a blend of oil and water based ingredients, meaning you need to mix these ingredients effectively without having them separate. Keep reading to learn how emulsifiers work when making lotions, as well as what emulsifiers we offer at Essential Wholesale & Labs.
What is an emulsifier?
It is common knowledge that oil and water don’t mix under normal circumstances. In cosmetic chemistry, the solution to blending two immiscible (non-blendable) liquids are emulsifiers. Oil simply can’t form a strong bond with water on its own. Lotions and cremes wouldn’t exist if we weren’t able to blend water and oil together and keep them from separating.
Emulsifiers work by forming a sort of skin around small droplets of oil which allows the oil droplets to remain suspended in a solution of water in an oil-in-water (O/W) formula. The opposite is true in a water-in-oil (W/O) solution.
Emulsifiers have a large lipophilic end (attracted to oil) and a hydrophilic end (attracted to water). These lipophilic and hydrophilic ends create a game of tug-of-war between the oil and water which keeps the oil suspended in a water solution.
Creating stable emulsions is critical to formulating stable and safe cosmetics. Similarly, making lotions that maintain a smooth texture without separation ensures a quality product for your customers.
Where can I find cosmetic emulsifiers for making lotions?
At Essential Wholesale we use a bundle of emulsifiers to create safe and stable formulas. We use and/or sell Emulsifying Wax, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol NF, Carbomer 980, Lecithin, etc. In addition, we use Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 for water based formulas like toners, astringents and sprays. You can find all of these ingredients here.
Have you experimented with making your own lotions? Is there an emulsifier that you like best? Tell us about it in the comments below!
