Emollient

Emollients are among the most versatile and essential ingredients used in personal care products today. They allow formulators to control the final product's all-important feel.

Emollients are designed to help formulators deliver particular sensory experiences into personal care formulations. Properties important in this class of ingredients are firmness, spreadability, greasiness, absorbency, slipperiness, gloss, and others.

But beyond that, emollients can provide a range of functionalities – from moisturization, solubilization, and lubrication to improving skin's elasticity and substantivity and adding gloss.

Careful selection of an emollient can invigorate the formula, making it perfect for the application. So what's the problem? There are literally thousands of choices of emollients available for evaluation—and a product needs to be finished right away.

PEG-10 Olive Glycerides is an ethoxylated olive oil, a yellow to brown non-ionic liquid (or paste depending on temperature; melting point ~ 11 ⁰C) with a characteristic odor. It is primarily used as an emollient, solubilizer, co-emulsifier, and hydrophilic refatting agent.

PEG-12 Dimethicone is a copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane and polyoxyalkylene ether. This combination gives this type of ingredient unique properties. It is clear to hazy and colorless to straw liquid.

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate is an ethoxylated methyl glucose diether esterified with oleic acid. It is a pale yellow solid in the form of waxy flakes with a mild odor.

PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate is a methyl glucoside derivative (ethylene oxide on a methyl glucoside backbone), a vegetable-based liquid thickener with a three-dimensional structure.

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate is a high-performance, efficient thickener at low concentrations, even for hard-to-thicken systems (like sarcosinates in aqueous surfactant systems).

PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate is an ethoxylated mixture of mono- and diesters of methyl glucose and stearic acid. It is a pale yellow, soft solid with a mild characteristic odor.

PEG-35 Soy Glycerides is a water-soluble ethoxylated vegetable oil derivative from refined soybean oil. It is a waxy paste that is stable under pH extremes, nonionic, and compatible with other ionic species in formulation.

PEG-40 Castor Oil is a pale yellow-colored liquid, a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 13. It is an ideal low-foaming emulsifier for oil in water (o/w) emulsions.

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides is a blend of ethoxylated glycerides derived from coconut fatty acids. It is a pale yellow liquid used as a water-soluble emollient.

PEG-6 Propylene Glycol Caprylate/Caprate (Polyoxyethylene 6 Propylene Glycol Esters) is a blend of ethoxylated propylene glycol mono esters of caprylic and capric acids.

PEG-60 Passiflora Edulis Seed Glycerides is a yellow liquid, an exotic water-soluble emollient, solubilizer, and mildness additive derived from the seed of various species of sustainably harvested Maracuja fruit (passionflower fruit).

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is an emollient and solubilizer for oils and lipophilic (oil-soluble) ingredients in water-based mild cleansing formulations, such as makeup removers, cleansers, and shampoos, derived from natural raw material (coconut oil).

PEG-7 Glyceryl Laurate is an ethoxylate (7 mole) of glycerol monolaurate derived from coconut oil. It is a clear, colorless, water-soluble liquid.

PEG-8 Dilaurate is a polyethylene glycol diester, a nonionic emulsifier obtained through esterifying high-quality lauric acid with polyethylene glycol (8 moles). It is dispersible in water clear liquid, with an HLB value of 10.

PEG-8 Dimethicone is a nonionic silicone wax, a water-soluble dimethicone polyethyleneglycol block copolymer. It is a white wax with a melting point of 36 – 49°C. Its former designation was Dimethicone Copolyol.

PEG-8 Laurate is a nonionic emulsifier created by esterifying high-quality lauric acid with polyethylene glycols. It is a clear liquid soluble in water; the pH of a 3% aqueous solution is in the 4.5-7.0 range, with an HLB value of 12.8.

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone is a clear to hazy, colorless to straw liquid. It is a copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane and polyoxyalkylene ether. It is readily soluble and stable in cool water and lower alcohols.

Pentaerythrityl Tetrabehenate is an ester with a high melting point (80°C) that notably thickens personal care formulas. Its "cage structure" lets it trap colored pigments and, therefore, is used in decorative cosmetics. It is known under the trade name DUB PTB.

Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate is a cushion emollient ester with good spreading and pigment-wetting properties. It is also known under the trade name Crodamol™ PTC.

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate is an emollient ester derived from isostearic acid that leaves a cushion feel with excellent spreadability and pigment-wetting ability. It provides unusually high levels of gloss, substantivity, and water resistance.

Coenzyme Q10 is present in dermal cells, where it stimulates ATP (cellular energy molecules) production and protects from oxidative damage (free radicals).

Pentylene glycol is a natural diol derived from sugar cane bagasse's remaining waste. This multifunctional ingredient serves as a moisturizer, solubilizer, preservative, and so on.

In ancient times, Avocados (Persea Gratissima) were thought to stimulate hair and skin cell growth. They contain high levels of vitamins B2, D, A, E, K, and potassium, making them an excellent source of nutrients.

Persea Gratissima Sterols are active lipid phytosterols from avocados that lessen the inflammatory effects of UV damage to the skin. This indicates that this natural ingredient may help prevent premature skin aging due to UV radiation.

Petrolatum is a mixture of refined hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is known as one of the oldest trade names Vaseline® which is pure petrolatum.

Phenyl Trimethicone is a phenyl-substituted silicone fluid. It is a clear, viscous liquid polymer with a good refractive index of 1.498 and chemical stability against oxidation.

Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides is a bioactive ingredient that offers caring properties by improving the skin barrier function and protection against environmental stress.

Phytosteryl/Decyltetradecyl Myristoyl Methyl Beta-Alaninate is an amino acid-based waxy emollient ester with a ceramide-like structure. It imparts a light touch and moistness to the skin and provides good spreadability and smoothness during application.

Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate is a ceramide-like liquid ingredient derived from glutamic acid. Like ceramides, it exhibits good solubility in oils.

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia Volubilis) seed oil is an organic ingredient, a perfect source of omega acids for skincare formulations.