POLYSORBATE 20
INCI: Polysorbate 20

This product is a non-ionic surfactant that is used to disperse and emulsify. Polysorbate 20 is indispensable for oil in water emulsions, such as lotions, conditioners and cream rinses. It's a must-have oil-dispersant in body mists and spritzers. HLB=17.

Click here for room and body spray formulas using poly 20.

Made from oleic acid (olive oil source) connected to a sugar (sorbitol) this compound is then ethoxylated to make it water dispersable. Non-irritating.

Most commonly used to carry colorants. Add some to your favorite FD&C or D&C colors to create liquid colors! Great for bath salts, soaps and lotions. PG will not melt your salts like water carried colorants will. It is not sticky like glycerine

Propylene glycol can also be used as a preservative. FDA considers products that contain more that 10 % of propylene glycol, glycerine or alcohol to be self preserved.

A gelling agent used in cosmetics and body care products. Creates clear aqueous and alcohol-based gels, such as hand sanitizers, hair gels and non-oily massage products.

Neutralize with triethanolamine to form a clear gel. Buy 1 oz. TEA per 4 oz. Carbomer. OR Use 1 tsp sodium hydroxide per cup of water to neutrelize to slightly cloudy gels.

Sold by weight.

Click here to learn how to make water-based gels with Carbomer.

EMULSIFYING WAX NF
INCI: Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60
or Emulsifying Wax NF

Popular and standardized, this easy-to-use emulsification system is the basis for many lotion formulas.

Sold by weight.

Click here for recipes using e-wax.

GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
INCI: Glyceryl Monostearate

Made from stearic acid and glycerin, this product will provide stable emulsions, without the greasy drag common in e-wax. Use approximately 2-3% per oil weight (for 10 oz. oil, use .2 - .3 oz., or for 100 grams of oil, use 2-3 grams of glyceryl monostearate).

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Natrasorb-100
INCI: Wheat Starch, modified

Lotion a little too greasy or unstable? All natural Natrasorb is designed to absorb the excess oil and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Excellent base for liquid powders. Recommended use rate is 3-10% of the batch weight. Add Natrasorb to the oil phase, or "back-add" this de-greaser to an existing lotion or oil formula by sprinkling a small amount of product on the surface of the formulation and whisking to incorporate. Sold by weight. Click here for Natrasorb recipes.

Try our Skinflow for dry and flavored body powders.

PALM STEARIC ACID
INCI: Palm Stearic Acid

Our palm stearic is completely vegetable derived--not stream-mixed with animal fats. Use with xanthan gum to provide a binding emulsion. Also used to harden soaps and candle wax mixes.

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Triethanolamine
INCI: Triethanolamine (TEA)

A pH balancer used in cosmetics and body care products. Dilute with water to use: 1 part TEA to 4 or 5 parts water. Mix with Carbomer 940 to make clear, non-oily gels that can thicken lotion and cream type emulsions.

Sold by weight.

Click here to learn how to make water-based gels with Carbomer.

EmulClear®
INCI: PEG40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

EmulClear® is a very versatile non-ionic solublizer and emulsifier. It can be used to make clear water based sprays, as well as lotions. EmulClear® will form clear solutions with any combination of water and alcohol. Since it contains no water, it may also be used as a dispersing agent in water-free products, such as bath melts

See the EmulClear page for directions on its use.

Preparing Xanthan Gum solutions For best results, xanthan gum and blended products must be properly hydrated before use. Hydration depends upon 4 factors: size of the particles, dispersion of the particles, agitation rate and composition of the hydration medium.

Liquid Mix Dispersion: Xanthan gum granules may be separated with non-solvents such as miscible non-aqueous liquids (alcohols or glycols or non-miscible liquids (vegetable oils). Gum is then slurried in non-aqueous liquid and poured into water being agitated.