• Formulating

  Stable Extract Blend with Glycerin Aloe Vera and Vitamin E

  Posted by Cosmetic_Chemist on November 12, 2021 at 7:25 pm

  I am currently trying to formulate a stable extract blend that can be added to batches. 

  The key materials in that blend should be Glycerin, Aloe Vera Gel and Vitamin E. 

  I have tried numerous ratios with water however it just sit on top of each other in layers. 

  I tried 4 parts Water, 1 part Glycerin, 1 part Aloe and 1 part Vitamin E. 

  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to create a blend that doesn’t separate. 

  Should I add polysorbate 20?

  Cosmetic_Chemist replied 3 years, 1 month ago 2 Members · 2 Replies

  • blending
  • extracts-formulating
  • formulating
  • separation
  • separation-emulsion-formulationadvice
• 2 Replies

• 

  OldPerry

  Member

  November 12, 2021 at 7:47 pm

  Quick answer - yes, polysorbate 20 should help.  See this.
  https://chemistscorner.com/cosmeticsciencetalk/discussion/5219/question-about-vitamin-e-solubility

  However, it may also help for you to understand why your blend wasn’t stable.  That’s because oils like Vitamin E is a non-polar molecule while Glycerin and most of the components of Aloe vera (98%+ water) are polar molecules.  Polar molecules are not generally compatible with non-polar molecules.  Basically, oil and water don’t mix.

  A surfactant like Polysorbate 20 is compatible with both oil and water. So, pretty much whenever you have a situation where you are trying to combine oil materials with watery materials, you’ll need a surfactant to make that happen.  

• 

  Cosmetic_Chemist

  Member

  November 12, 2021 at 9:42 pm

  Perry said:

  Quick answer - yes, polysorbate 20 should help.  See this.
  https://chemistscorner.com/cosmeticsciencetalk/discussion/5219/question-about-vitamin-e-solubility

  However, it may also help for you to understand why your blend wasn’t stable.  That’s because oils like Vitamin E is a non-polar molecule while Glycerin and most of the components of Aloe vera (98%+ water) are polar molecules.  Polar molecules are not generally compatible with non-polar molecules.  Basically, oil and water don’t mix.

  A surfactant like Polysorbate 20 is compatible with both oil and water. So, pretty much whenever you have a situation where you are trying to combine oil materials with watery materials, you’ll need a surfactant to make that happen.  

  Hi Perry, 
  Thank you for your reply. 

  I was hoping to add this extract blend to a variety of batches like liquid soaps, shampoos, conditioners etc. Would polysorbate 20 be the best surfactant to use in this case? 

  Do you have recommendations on any other surfactant or material I can add?

  Thank you!

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