Guides / Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers let oil and water coexist as a cream or lotion. Structure and process matter as much as the INCI list.
System types
Oil-in-water systems dominate light skincare; water-in-oil suits richer barriers. Liquid crystals, PEG-free nonionics, and natural-leaning blends each bring different robustness.
Process discipline
Phase temperatures, addition order, and homogenization energy decide droplet size. A perfect emulsifier still fails with a chaotic process.
Stability signs
Watch creaming, coalescence, and viscosity drift across heat/cold cycles. Adjust co-emulsifiers, fatty alcohols, and polymer support before rewriting the whole chassis.