Emulsifier for Massage Oil with Water Phase

If you have a massage oil formula that includes a water-soluble powder ingredient dissolved in water, which you then want to mix with the base oil, you will need an emulsifier to combine the water phase (the powder solution) with the oil phase (the base oil). This process creates a Water-in-Oil (W/O) emulsion.

Based on the product information found, suitable emulsifiers for creating a Water-in-Oil Emulsion include:

• Water-in-Oil Max™: This is an emulsifier specifically designed for Water-in-Oil systems, providing high stability. It can be used with certain waxes to enhance stability. The instructions clearly state it should be mixed into the oil phase, and the water phase should be added gradually while stirring.
• OccluSoft™ (Water-in-Oil Cationic Emulsifier): This is a Water-in-Oil emulsifier with a unique cationic property derived from Polyquaternium-37, which leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth after drying, unlike typical W/O emulsifiers that can feel heavy or sticky. It's suitable for formulas requiring a lighter feel while still providing good skin coverage. Instructions suggest mixing into the oil phase and gradually adding the water phase with low-speed mixing, avoiding high-speed homogenization.

There are other emulsifiers that might be considered, but their descriptions don't explicitly state if they are W/O or O/W, or they might function as co-emulsifiers:

• LeciCream™ (Natural Emulsifier / Cream Maker): This is a natural emulsifier made from Hydrogenated Lecithin and can function as a cream maker. However, it would require further testing to confirm its suitability for creating a stable W/O emulsion in a massage oil formula.

Recommendation:

For a massage oil containing a water phase, it is best to choose an emulsifier specifically indicated for Water-in-Oil emulsions, such as Water-in-Oil Max™ or OccluSoft™. This will help ensure a stable emulsion and an appropriate texture for a massage oil. It is important to carefully follow the usage instructions for each specific emulsifier, as the mixing method for W/O emulsions is typically different from Oil-in-Water (O/W) emulsions (generally, the emulsifier is mixed into the oil phase, and the water phase is added slowly while mixing).