Emulsifiers are added into cosmetic products in order to mix substances which form unstable compounds. They can be either natural or artificial.
Natural emulsifiers include lecithin, lanolin and beeswax. Animal lecithin is a bit heavy for skin while vegetable one is possible to be used.
Lecithin and lanolin can serve as a base and as an emulsifier at the same time. Natural emulsifiers are rather heavy for the skin. That is why sometimes it is impossible to make your cosmetics absolutely natural. When the cream is unstable it can look ugly, though possessing all the right properties. Sometimes there can appear a border between oil and water layers where germs may proliferate. This fact is also very unpleasant.
That is why the choice of emulsifier should be done really carefully. Feelings after the application of cosmetic product, lightness, absorption, stability of the emulsion depend on it. The description of the emulsifier usually contains the percentage of input, the perfect temperature for it to be dissolved and what emulsions it is meant for.
Here is the description of the most popular emulsifiers:
- 1. Ester de sucre is a good emulsifier. It hardly influences the absorption of the cream that is why it is suitable for light day creams.
- 2. Nikolipid consists of batyl alcohol and purified soybean lecithin. It can be added into moisturizing creams and masks, because structure of the emulsifier is similar to sebum. It also causes anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and improves its texture.
- 3. Montanov is a nonionic emulsifier of new generation based on fatty alcohols obtained from plants. It is used for creation of emulsions with liquid crystals.
- 4. The most widespread basic emulsifier is Glyceryl monostearate. It doesn’t contain any additives that may irritate or damage your skin. Despite the fact that it is considered to be natural emulsifier it can also be obtained synthetically. That is why it is not referred to the most ecological cosmetic ingredients.
- 5. Emulsan emulsifier consists of grape sugar and vegetable fat (palmitic and stearic fatty acids). It is suitable for all types of skin because it makes it smooth, protected and moisturized.
- 6. Simulgel makes the texture of the cosmetic product soft and gentle. The most important thing is that you don’t need to heat it. Simple stirring is enough. It can be perfectly emulsified with aloe and hazelnut oil.
- 7. Tegomuls emulsifier is made of sea weeds. Creams and lotions containing it are very light and pleasant. They are easily absorbed by skin and don’t leave oily membrane. In combination with shea butter or cetyl alcohol perfect result can be obtained.
- 8. Cosmetic lecithin is obtained from yolks of chicken eggs, sunflower seeds and soybeans. In cosmetic industry it can be used either as an active supplement or as an emulsifier. As an active supplement in cosmetics lecithin is used as softening, restorative and moisturizing substance, which prevents from evaporation of moisture, activates lipid metabolism in the skin, softens it and improves functioning of the sebaceous glands.
- 9. Beeswax is used in preparation of such handmade cosmetic products as:
– cleansers
– creams and lotions
– softening and protective creams
– lip balms
– products for nail care
– sunscreens - 10. Wheaten emulsifier creates perfect texture of creams and foams for cleansing. It doesn’t delaminate and can be stored for a long time. It is a mixture of vegetable sugars which are obtained from wheat bran and fatty alcohol of palm oil.
As you see emulsifier is an irreplaceable ingredient for any handmade cosmetic product. You can choose the one that is suitable for you.
