Basic Ingredients for Cream Formulation

To create a basic cream formulation, you generally need several key components that work together to form the desired texture and ensure stability and safety. These fundamental ingredients include:

• Water Phase: This is typically the largest part of the formulation, providing hydration.
• Oil Phase: This phase contains oils, butters, and emollients that provide richness, nourishment, and help create the cream texture. Examples of emollients include LipidSoft™ Palm and Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) Heavy.
• Emulsifier: This is a crucial ingredient that binds the water and oil phases together, which would normally separate. Emulsifiers create the stable cream consistency. Examples include Emulsifying Wax 1000, Sucrose Cream Maker™, Silk Cream Maker™, and CreamMaker EG™.
• Thickener/Stabilizer: These ingredients help to increase the viscosity of the cream, giving it body and preventing the emulsion from breaking over time. Examples include CreamThick™ and Sepimax Zen. Some emulsifiers like Silk Cream Maker™ and CreamMaker EG™ also act as thickeners.
• Preservative: Essential for preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast, especially since creams contain water. Preservatives ensure the product remains safe to use over time. Examples include Mild Preserved™ COS, NaturePreserve™ Ultra, and NaturePreserve™ LB2.
• Humectant (Optional but Recommended): Ingredients like Glycerin or Hyaluronic Acid help to draw moisture into the skin, enhancing hydration.

Once you have this basic structure, you can add various "active ingredients" or functional ingredients based on the desired properties of the cream, such as vitamins, extracts, or specialized silicones.

Starting with these fundamental components will give you a solid base to begin experimenting with cream making.