Emulsifying wax CP is a gentle, non-ionic self-emulsifying blend made from cetearyl alcohol and polysorbate 60. It is an essential ingredient for creating smooth, creamy lotions, rich moisturizers, and many other beauty products. By keeping oils and water perfectly blended, it ensures your recipes remain silky and uniform without separating. This makes it especially useful when working with various vegetable oils. Emulsifying Wax CP is compatible with anionic, cationic, and nonionic systems, offering exceptional versatility for a variety of formulations.
The material not only gives your formulations a smooth, stable finish but also helps them absorb into the skin more effectively while enhancing their moisturizing and nourishing properties. Emulsions formulated with this material demonstrate outstanding stability in both acidic and alkaline environments. They remain stable across a wide pH range, from as low as 3 to as high as 13. It mixes seamlessly with other ingredients to keep creams and lotions silky and consistent. With cetearyl alcohol in its composition, it offers the added benefit of thickening.
Emulsifying wax may be used on its own or in combination with other emulsifiers. During formulation, it should be melted and incorporated into the oil phase. The general procedure is outlined below:
- Heat the water phase and the oil phase (with emulsifying wax) separately to 70–75 °C.
- Add the water phase to the oil phase by pouring slowly under high shear mixing to form a creamy emulsion.
- Allow the emulsion to cool gradually while stirring.
- At lower temperatures, add any optional ingredients such as essential oils.
- Finish by adding a preservative to extend the formulation’s shelf life.
