How to Make a Stable Liquid Emulsion

Tagged: emulsifer, emulsion

Formulating

How to Make a Stable Liquid Emulsion

Posted by emma1985 on February 1, 2021 at 6:05 pm

Hi everyone,

I’m looking into making an emulsified serum.

I don’t plan on it being completely water-weight, it’s definitely going to have some viscosity. I want it to dispense from a dropper bottle.

I’ve been looking into similar products on the market to try to get an idea of what emulsifers and stabilizers the commercial formulators are using for these products.

Take Laneige Cream Skin Refiner. I’ve used it and it is an ACTUAL water-weight emulsion using Glyceryl Stearate Citrate and a couple other emulsifers.

I’m thinking Montanov L, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate and Aristoflex with total oil phase of 14.7%

Any suggestions for increasing stability in liquid emulsions welcome.

Thank you.

Pharma replied 3 years, 1 month ago 8 Members · 8 Replies
- emulsifer
- emulsion
8 Replies

jemolian

Member
February 2, 2021 at 12:16 am

You can use most non-bodying or non-waxy emulsifiers, such as the 165 type or Cetearyl Glucoside or those that you have mentioned. Though just note the maximum lipid load and if they are able to be stable on their own or require a combination.

If you don’t want to use a normal emulsifier, you can choose to use the lubrizol pemulen series like TR-1 / TR-2 / EZ-4U. They would be able to suspend your lipids at a low percentage.
chemicalmatt

Member
February 5, 2021 at 9:41 pm

I think you answered your own question. Aristoflex crosspolymers contribute stability already, The combo of Montanov L / GSC ought to be good enough to emulsify an oil load of 10%, then let the polymer do the rest.
emma1985

Member
February 19, 2021 at 3:20 pm

Thank you so much Matt!! 🙂
ngarayeva001

Member
February 19, 2021 at 5:59 pm

I know this emulsifier is supposed to create very low viscosity products https://www.ulprospector.com/en/eu/PersonalCare/Detail/1481/51908/ABIL-Care-85
I noticed this inci in several high-end serums including some of Lancome’s. I haven’te tested it myself yet. Pemulen Ez4U is a good emulsifier but it creates noticeable viscosity even at tiny amounts.
Dr Catherine Pratt

Member
February 19, 2021 at 7:40 pm

Glyceryl Cocoate?
Abdullah

Member
February 20, 2021 at 11:59 am

Polyglyceryl 4 Laurate is cold process and very low viscosity
seaberry

Member
March 2, 2021 at 12:22 am

Ceteareth-6 olivate from Hallstar also makes fluid emulsions. Some combination of this with Aristoflex or GSC should easily manage 15% lipids.
Pharma

Member
March 2, 2021 at 4:15 pm

If you’re looking for something on the more ‘natural’ side, Tego Care PBS 6 could be an option. It’s also compatible with GSC and can handle somewhere between 10 and 30% oil phase (not more than ~20% if it should be a sprayable lotion).