Using Polysorbate 20/80 to Emulsify Oil in Toner Formulation

Asked by: supakorn.sp19 On: December 25, 2017 Product Type: Cosmetics Answered

Question

Regarding the use of Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 to emulsify oil in a toner formulation:

1. Can Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 be used alone or together to emulsify oil in a toner?
2. What is their effectiveness or maximum percentage of oil they can emulsify when used this way?
3. What are the recommended alternatives for making a stable toner with oil?

Answer

Hello,

Regarding your question about Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 for making a toner with oil:

  • Both Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 are High-HLB emulsifiers. They are typically used in combination with Low-HLB emulsifiers to improve emulsion stability and achieve a suitable HLB value.
  • Using them alone or just together has very low emulsifying efficiency and is not recommended for creating stable formulations, especially for a liquid toner which is prone to separation.
  • A specific maximum percentage they can emulsify when used alone was not provided because it is not the recommended or effective way to use them for stable results.

For making a toner that contains oil, we still recommend the methods previously mentioned:

  • Using Milk Lotion Maker (around 3-4%), which will help emulsify but will result in a slightly thicker texture, not a completely liquid toner, and requires heat for mixing.
  • Or choosing processed oil-like ingredients that are water-soluble, such as Shea Butter Water.

Tags

Emulsifier Ingredient Function Oil-in-Water Stability Toner