Emulsifiers in Beauty & Personal Care

Emulsifiers stabilize personal care formulations by allowing incompatible ingredients to co-exist and form a smooth and cohesive product. They are used to combine ingredients, such as oil and water, that otherwise would either separate or coagulate no matter how much mixing or heating is attempted. Emulsifiers contain a water-loving portion (hydrophilic or polar) and an oil-loving portion (lipophilic or nonpolar) to bind the formula together and to ensure it stays together.  Some emulsifiers can also impart other desirable benefits to a cosmetic formulation – such as moisturization, conditioning, preservation or thickening.