Natural Emulsifiers for Stable Formulations

You are looking for a natural emulsifier to combine fractionated coconut oil and water for a product intended for commercial sale, requiring good stability and a long shelf life.

While 100% natural emulsifiers with a very long shelf life (e.g., 2 years) can be challenging to formulate with high stability, there are natural-derived options and some natural options that offer better stability than pure Soy Lecithin for commercial products.

Soy Lecithin powder is suitable for personal use products with a short shelf life (around 3 months) but is not recommended for commercial products due to potential issues with stability, color, odor, and separation over time.

For a stable emulsion of fractionated coconut oil and water for commercial sale, consider these emulsifiers:

• Emulsifying Beeswax (Non-Ionic, Natural): This is a natural emulsifier that also acts as a thickener. It is suitable for creams and balms and is considered 100% natural with a shelf life of 2 years. Use at 0.5-5% (recommended 3%) by dissolving in the oil phase.

• Sucrose Cream Maker™: A 100% natural-based, nonionic O/W emulsifier that creates stable emulsions with lamellar structures. It has a shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 2-4% by mixing in the oil phase with heat (70 degrees Celsius).

• Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate: Another 100% natural O/W emulsifier that creates a lamellar structure and provides a good texture. It has a shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 1-10% by mixing in the oil phase.

• LeciCream™ (Natural Emulsifier / Cream Maker): A natural emulsifier made from special grade Hydrogenated Lecithin, offering higher efficiency than general Hydrogenated Lecithin. Suitable for heavy creams and has a shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 0.5-5% by dispersing in the oil phase.

Other natural-derived emulsifiers that can be used include:

• Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate: Used as a water-in-oil emulsifier in make-up recipes with a shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 2-4% by mixing in the oil phase.

• Heptyl Glucoside: A high HLB emulsifier obtained from nature (sugar + castor oil), often used as a solubilizer but can act as a water-oil binder. Shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 1-15% by mixing in water.

• Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglycerin-10 Esters: An oil-in-water emulsifier with an HLB of approximately 16, considered natural-derived. Shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 1-6% by mixing in the oil phase.

• Polyglyceryl-10 Palmitate: An emulsifier with an HLB of about 14 and a shelf life of at least 2 years. Use at 1-10% by mixing in the oil phase.

When formulating, always follow the recommended usage rates and mixing instructions for the chosen emulsifier to achieve a stable emulsion with fractionated coconut oil and water.