Emulsifiers for Solid Cleaning Stick

To combine the oil and water phases in your solid cleaning stick formula and achieve a smooth, lipstick-like texture, you will need a suitable emulsifier. The remaining percentage in your formula (13%) can be allocated to the emulsifier and potentially adjusted with other waxes or solid emollients to get the desired stick hardness and smooth feel.

Based on your formula and the goal of a solid stick with a smooth texture, here are some suitable emulsifiers:

• Oil Blender™ (Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate): This is a water-in-oil emulsifier that is suitable for balm and stick formulations. It helps to blend the oil and water phases effectively and can contribute to a smooth texture. It is typically used at a rate of 1-5%.

• Emulsifying Beeswax (Natural): This natural emulsifier also acts as a thickener and is well-suited for balm and ointment formulas. It can help create a stable stick structure while providing a smooth feel. It is typically used at a rate of 0.5-5%.

• Sucrose Cream Maker™ (e.q. Emulgade Sucro Plus): While primarily an O/W emulsifier, its description mentions providing a silky, velvety, gliding skinfeel and enabling stable emulsions. It could potentially be explored, although W/O emulsifiers like Oil Blender are often preferred for higher oil content or stick formats. It is typically used at 2-4% as a sole emulsifier.

You can use the remaining 13% in your formula to incorporate one of these emulsifiers. You may need to experiment with the exact percentage and potentially add small amounts of other waxes or solid emollients, in addition to the Polyethylene Wax already present, to fine-tune the hardness and texture to be perfectly smooth and slippery like lipstick.

Your base formula already includes ingredients like Polyethylene Wax, Sunflower Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate (LipidSoft CC), PEG-40, Water, surfactant, Coco Wash, Propylene Glycol, Essential Oil, and Extracts, which contribute to the overall properties of the cleaning stick.