Sunscreen Formulation: Emulsifier Choice and Penetration Enhancer
Asked by: suelavivia669
On: March 14, 2016
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Answered
Question
Regarding a sunscreen formula, is the staff's advice correct?
The staff advised:
- Not to use
PE-1 Aquain the formula. - To consider using
Luxury Cream MakerorSoft Cream Maker(at 3-4%) for creating the cream base, stating that these give higher SPF values compared to purely polymer-based thickeners likePro Polymer,Light Cream Maker, orSatin Mousse.
Answer
Hello!
Regarding the formula and the advice from the MySkinRecipes staff, the staff's recommendations are correct.
Here are the main points:
- PE-1 Aqua: The staff advised against using PE-1 Aqua in a sunscreen formula. This is because Penetration Enhancers can help some sunscreen ingredients penetrate the skin, which is generally undesirable as sunscreens should remain on the skin surface to protect it.
- Cream Maker (Emulsifier/Thickener): The original formula lacks a key ingredient to create a stable cream base. The staff correctly recommended adding an emulsifier like Luxury Cream Maker (at 3-4%) or Soft Cream Maker. They explained that these types of emulsifiers are more suitable for sunscreen formulations than polymer-based thickeners alone (such as Pro Polymer, Light Cream Maker, Satin Mousse) because they help ensure even dispersion of sunscreen agents, which is crucial for effective UV protection and achieving a high SPF.
Therefore, the staff's advice is correct based on standard sunscreen formulation principles. The formula should be adjusted according to their recommendations for better efficacy and safety.