The key to effective natural skin care is the use of centuries old proven botanical “Skin Actives”, including organic essential oils, wild-crafted plant extracts, and a few new tricks discovered by modern science, all in scientifically proven ratios. Since most of these ingredients are concentrated and cannot be directly applied to the skin, it is critical to dilute them and utilize them properly.
However, essential oils or organic oils (like all oils) are hydrophobic in nature, that is they don’t combine with water. This is when your skin care formula requires an emulsifier! Read on to learn more about emulsifiers in skin care:
What is an Emulsifier?
In skin care formulas, generally, three phases are used: an oil phase, a water phase, and a finishing phase that keeps the formula stable. Emulsifiers are the stabilizing ingredients that keep ingredients from separating in an emulsion. This is especially helpful in mixing a water and oil base. Emulsifiers can be found in body butters, sunscreen, serums, and moisturizers.
Oil-based ingredients in their raw form have large fat molecules fats with a rough texture. Emulsifiers work as ‘surface active agents’, which breaks these oils and fats into smaller particles. This allows them to be infused in liquids in a formula, and in turn be easily absorbed into the skin.
Why You Should Avoid Synthetic Emulsifiers:
Most conventional emulsifiers have higher irritant properties, especially when combined with parabens, fragrance, artificial colors, and preservatives. This can cause irritation/inflammation, especially if you have sensitive, blemish-prone or rosacea skin. A few examples of conventional emulsifiers are: polysorbates, laureth-4, Cetearyl alcohol (learn more), glyceryl stearate, and potassium cetyl sulfate.
What are some Natural Emulsifiers in Skin Care?
Natural emulsifiers that we use in our @PVO products:
1. Aloe Vera & Honey
Both Aloe Vera Gel and Honey are lightweight emulsifying agents. When the right technique is applied, these ingredients can mix with oils for a smooth texture. Their anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and softening properties additionally keep skin soft and nourished.
2. Yucca Root
Yucca root contains steroidal saponins. The extract of Yucca saponin is highly surface active and is stable against pH change, ionic strength, heating, and freeze-thawing. For this reason, it is considered as an excellent stabilizing emulsifier.
3. Guar Gum
Guar gum is a natural and non-toxic product stabilizer. It works as a thickening and binding agent, that gives the desired emulsification in our natural serums, SunProtect SPF 30+, and Vanilla Silk Body Butter.
4. Shea Butter or Shea Oil
Shea Butter readily disperses in water, meaning it does not require additional processing when mixed with other botanical ingredients. This ingredient is a natural glyceride that functions as a biodegradable surfactant. When applied to the skin, Shea Butter is quickly absorbed for a long-lasting moisturizing effect.
5. Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is an amazing multi-tasking ingredient that does the job of emulsifying, binding, stabilizing, and is a natural preservative in skin care. It provides the desired thickness, or ‘slip’ in a formula. Xanthan gum is used in our cleansers, body butter, serums, hydrators, face scrubs, blemish masks, etc.
The abovementioned natural emulsifiers easily work with essential oils.
