Natural Emulsifiers

Natural emulsifiers typically appear as off-white to yellowish powders, flakes, or viscous liquids, derived from plant or animal sources. Their functionality is to stabilize mixtures of immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, creating stable emulsions in cosmetic formulations. This is achieved by reducing interfacial tension and forming a protective barrier around droplets. Key features include good skin compatibility, often offering additional conditioning benefits, and suitability for "clean beauty" formulations. They are highly suitable for lotions, creams, and milks where they enable the creation of stable and aesthetically pleasing textures, appealing to consumers seeking more natural ingredient profiles. 

Synthetic emulsifiers (e.g., polysorbates, PEG derivatives) are widely used alternatives, but natural emulsifiers are specifically chosen for their natural origin and appeal. Popular INCI ingredients in this segment include Lecithin, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, and Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine.