Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Using two anionics in the same formula….Why?

  • Using two anionics in the same formula….Why?

    Posted by graillotion on January 29, 2023 at 11:48 pm

    As I was looking at INCI’s on incidecoder dot com the other day…I came across a brand that was pretty consistently using a pair of anionics as co-emulsifiers.  They were using both SSG and GSC in the same formula, and based on INCI order, these were not even the primary emulsifier.

    What is some of the logic, behind using a pair of anionics as co-emulsifiers.  

    I should state…I always use one or the other…but it had never occurred to me….to use both as a ‘co’.  

    Let me hear why you may have used two supporting anionics….in the same formula.

    Aloha

    zoya replied 1 year ago 4 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • oldperry

    Member
    January 30, 2023 at 2:28 am

    It’s been said that using multiple different types of emulsifiers can lead to more stable emulsions. It can also help modify HLB of the whole system.

  • graillotion

    Member
    January 30, 2023 at 4:11 am

    Perry said:

    It’s been said that using multiple different types of emulsifiers can lead to more stable emulsions. It can also help modify HLB of the whole system.

    Both GSC and SSG…are very similar HLB.  Also they were using  Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate…as their primary, so a PEG free system?

  • abdullah

    Member
    January 30, 2023 at 5:14 am

    Maybe blending these emulsifiers improve skin feel.

    SLS on it’s own is the harshest surfactant but i saw somewhere that a blend of SLS and SLES has better after feel than SLES or SLS alone. 

  • oldperry

    Member
    January 30, 2023 at 4:54 pm

    @Graillotion - On a molecular level, the shape of the molecule can affect the packing and structure of the micelle. So, multiple emulsifiers are able to give some stability. I’m not really certain about the system you are describing but that would be my guess as to why they have multiple emulsifiers.

  • zoya

    Member
    March 24, 2023 at 12:30 pm

    Hi Graillotion. Glutamates are often used in combination with sulfates (at a lower concentration) to improve gentleness- they tend to reduce the absorption of sulfates into the skin. They might also help in stabilizing the foam or modifying the foam’s characteristics.

    • zoya

      Member
      March 24, 2023 at 12:36 pm

      Sorry, Im realizing you are not talking about surfactant systems, but improving emulsion stability with anionic co-emulsifiers. In this case it might improve emulsion stability but I’m not sure exactly how.

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