Encyclopedia

Emulsifiers

29 emulsifier ingredients explained in plain English.

BTMS-25 Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol Cationic conditioning emulsifier with half the actives of BTMS-50. Thicker product per gram, milder conditioning. 3-10% BTMS-50 Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol A cationic (positively charged) emulsifier that conditions hair. The default choice for DIY hair conditioners and detangling sprays. 2-7% Ceteareth-20 Ceteareth-20 A high-HLB non-ionic emulsifier that produces stable, elegant oil-in-water lotions and creams. 2-5% Cetearyl Alcohol and Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate Anionic self-emulsifying wax built from fatty alcohols and a sulfated fatty alcohol salt. Produces thick, stable oil-in-water creams with a classic rich skin feel. 3-15% Emulsan II Glyceryl Stearate Citrate An Ecocert non-ionic emulsifier with a gel-cream feel. Plant-derived from glycerin, stearic acid, and citric acid. 2-6% Emulsifying Wax NF Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60 A forgiving non-ionic emulsifier that produces stable, light-bodied lotions and creams. The classic beginner's wax. 3-8% Fluid Lecithin Lecithin (liquid grade) Liquid soy or sunflower phospholipid complex. Natural emulsifier and skin-identical lipid for serums and emulsions. 1-5% Glyceryl Behenate Glyceryl Behenate Waxy co-emulsifier and texture modifier. Stabilizes emulsions, adds body to creams, and works in sticks and balms. 1-5% Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) Glyceryl Stearate Lipophilic co-emulsifier and opacifier that gives lotions their classic pearlescent white appearance. Usually paired with a primary emulsifier. 2-5% Glyceryl Stearate Glyceryl Stearate A non-ionic co-emulsifier and emollient. On its own it cannot form a stable emulsion — it always needs a partner. Do not confuse with Glyceryl Stearate SE. 1-5% Glyceryl Stearate Citrate Glyceryl Stearate Citrate Natural-positioned, mild emulsifier for light lotions. Ecocert-friendly and easy to work with. 2-6% Glyceryl Stearate SE Glyceryl Stearate SE The self-emulsifying version of Glyceryl Stearate. Anionic, budget-friendly primary emulsifier — but needs stabilization. 3-10% Glyceryl Stearate SE and Sucrose Stearate Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sucrose Stearate Pre-blended non-ionic emulsifier combining a self-emulsifying glyceride with a sucrose ester. Very gentle, suitable for sensitive skin and baby skincare formulations. 3-8% Lanolin Alcohol Lanolin Alcohol The unsaponifiable sterol-and-fatty-alcohol fraction of lanolin. A waxy W/O emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer that adds richness and body without greasiness. 1-5% Lecithin Lecithin A natural phospholipid emulsifier from soy or sunflower. Weak on its own — best used as a co-emulsifier or active-delivery system. 0.5-3% Lysolecithin Lysolecithin Cold-process O/W emulsifier with outstanding stability. Creates silky, sprayable emulsions across a wide oil range. 1-5% Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate Sugar-derived, mild emulsifier for sensitive-skin formulas. Smooth, elegant finish, low irritation potential. 2-5% Montanov 68 Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Cetearyl Glucoside A plant-derived non-ionic emulsifier from sugar and fatty alcohol. Builds lamellar liquid-crystals for a cushioned, skin-mimicking texture. 3-6% Olivem 1000 Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate An olive-derived non-ionic emulsifier that builds lamellar liquid-crystal structures, giving creams a velvety, skin-mimicking feel. Ecocert. 3-8% PEG-100 Stearate PEG-100 Stearate A very high-HLB non-ionic emulsifier that produces lightweight, fast-absorbing oil-in-water lotions. 1-3% Polawax NF Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60 A branded version of the Emulsifying Wax NF standard. Same INCI as e-wax, slightly different ratio, slightly richer cream. 3-8% Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate W/O emulsifier that creates unusually light, silky, even sprayable water-in-oil emulsions. Palm-free and vegan. 3-5% Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate Mild liquid solubilizer for fragrance and oil in water-based products. Natural alternative to polysorbates. 0.5-10% Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate Palm-free W/O emulsifier and self-emulsifying agent for cleansing oils, balms, and scrubs that rinse clean with water. 5-15% Sorbitan Stearate Sorbitan Stearate A low-HLB, PEG-free non-ionic emulsifier used for water-in-oil creams or as a co-emulsifier in oil-in-water systems. 2-8% Steareth-21 Steareth-21 A high-HLB ethoxylated emulsifier designed to work with Steareth-2 as a self-emulsifying pair for stable, rich oil-in-water creams. 3-8% (combined with Steareth-2) Sucragel Glycerin, Aqua, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Sucrose A natural cold-process gel emulsifier that turns oil into a clear cleansing or styling gel. The cleansing oil base. 20-50% Sucrose Stearate Sucrose Stearate Sugar-and-fat ester emulsifier. Natural-positioned, exceptionally mild, with a soft skin feel. 2-6% Wheat Emulsifying Wax Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol Pre-blended emulsifier combining a hydrolysed wheat protein lipopeptide with glyceryl stearate and cetearyl alcohol. Forms liquid-crystal emulsions with high oil-load tolerance and a conditioning skin feel. 5-10%