12 ingredients
Emulsifier
Explore all 12 ingredients in the Emulsifier category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl olivate is an ester of cetearyl alcohol and the fatty acids derived from olive oil. It functions as an emulsifier, blending water and oil phases together in skincare formulations. Uniquely, it generates liquid crystal structures that closely mimic the lipid architecture of the stratum corneum, giving it barrier-repairing and moisturising properties beyond simple emulsification.
Learn more →Sorbitan Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate is a natural emulsifier derived from the esterification of sorbitol with the fatty acids of olive oil. It is best known as one half of the Olivem 1000 system (paired with Cetearyl Olivate), where it acts as the HLB-lowering co-emulsifier that generates biomimetic liquid crystal structures closely resembling the skin's own lamellar structure. This unique property allows it to enhance penetration of active ingredients and deliver a deeply moisturising, non-greasy feel.
Learn more →Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate is the ester of lauric acid and polyglycerin-10, a chain of ten glycerin molecules. It is a vegetable-derived, PEG-free non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier that helps blend small amounts of oil into water-based formulations, creating stable, lightweight textures. It is widely used in micellar waters, cleansing balms, serums, and mists for its gentle, skin- and eye-friendly profile.
Learn more →Sorbitan Isostearate
Sorbitan isostearate is a sorbitan ester formed by the esterification of sorbitol with isostearic acid, a branched-chain fatty acid. It functions primarily as an emulsifier, helping to blend oil and water phases into stable, homogeneous formulations. It also acts as a particle dispersant, keeping insoluble pigments and mineral UV filters evenly distributed throughout a product.
Learn more →PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-100 Stearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid, formed by reacting stearic acid (a fatty acid from plant or animal fats) with 100 moles of ethylene oxide. It functions as a water-loving (hydrophilic) emulsifier and surfactant that stabilises the oil-water interface in creams, lotions, and serums. It is most commonly used alongside glyceryl stearate, which is oil-loving, to create a highly stable emulsifier pair that performs across a wide pH range and tolerates salts and acidic actives.
Learn more →Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Sodium stearoyl lactylate (SSL) is an anionic emulsifier derived from lactic acid and stearic acid, neutralised with sodium hydroxide to form a sodium salt. It appears as a white to light tan powder and works by stabilising oil-in-water emulsion systems, preventing ingredient separation and improving the texture and homogeneity of formulations. It also acts as a mild humectant, forming a conditioning barrier on the skin that supports moisture retention.
Learn more →Polysorbate 80
Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid (a fatty acid from olive oil) through polyethoxylation. It works by reducing surface tension between oil and water phases, allowing them to mix and remain stable in a formulation. It is one of the polysorbate family of emulsifiers — higher numbers indicate greater oleate content and stronger emulsifying power, making polysorbate 80 suited to heavier creams and serums compared to lower-numbered variants.
Learn more →Sucrose Laurate
Sucrose laurate is a sugar ester formed by combining sucrose (table sugar) with lauric acid, a fatty acid derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. It functions simultaneously as an emulsifier, emollient, and mild surfactant, helping to blend oil and water phases in formulations while conditioning the skin. It is particularly prized for creating oil-gel cleansers that transform into a milky texture on contact with water, providing gentle cleansing without stripping the skin barrier.
Learn more →Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate is a monoester of behenic acid (a long-chain fatty acid derived from plant oils such as moringa) and polyglycerin-6 (a chain of six glycerin units). It functions primarily as a PEG-free O/W (oil-in-water) emulsifier and emulsion stabiliser, helping to create and maintain stable, lightweight emulsions by reducing surface tension between oil and water phases. It also contributes mild emollient and moisturising properties to formulations.
Learn more →Sorbitan Stearate
Sorbitan stearate is a vegetable-derived emulsifier made by combining sorbitan (dehydrated sorbitol, a sugar alcohol) with stearic acid (a fatty acid). It is oil-loving (lipophilic) and primarily functions as a water-in-oil co-emulsifier, helping to stabilise creams and lotions by keeping water and oil phases blended together.
Learn more →PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides is a synthetic emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent derived from almond oil. It is produced by ethoxylating the mono- and diglycerides of almond oil with an average of 60 moles of ethylene oxide, enabling it to blend oil and water-based ingredients into stable, uniform formulations. It also provides mild emollient properties, helping to soften and condition the skin.
Learn more →Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate is the ester of stearic acid (a fatty acid) with polyglycerin-10, a chain of ten glycerin molecules. It is a vegetable-derived, PEG-free, non-ionic emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent that enables stable oil-in-water emulsions with an HLB of 12–13. It provides a smooth, elegant texture and mild emollient feel, and is found in moisturisers, masks, toners, serums, and foundations.
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