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So how do we use the HLB system to create an emulsifier? Click here for a great PDF with all the required HLB values of our oil phase ingredients and the HLB values of our potential emulsifiers. You will need to refer to this to play along! The steps to finding out the HLB value...
The next few days are going to be a blast from the past as we learn more about the HLB system. I’ve updated these posts with more information and ideas so it’s not just a re-posting of something I wrote two years ago! When we’re working with emulsification systems like e-wax or BTMS, we don’t...
Yep, polysorbates – like polysorbate 20 and 80 – are esters! They’re ethoxylated sorbitan esters, which means they start off as sorbitan and are esterified, then they are reacted with ethylene oxide to create a non-ionic surfactant with a water loving head and lipophilic tail. You might find them as “tween 20” or “tween 80”,...
Anonymous posted this question in this post: What’s the difference between polysorbate 80 & 20? Polysorbates are ethoxylates of fatty acids esterified with anhydrosorbitol. Polysorbate 20 is a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan monolaurate whereas polysorbate 80 is a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan and oleic acid. And as much as I love chemistry, I realize this really...
Anonymous asked…Can i replace Laureth-4 for Laureth-3? I’m trying to do up a oil shower gel & i’m using MIPA –Laureth Sulfate as the suractant…Great question! Let’s take a look at what laureth-4 is, then figure out if it can be substituted by laureth-3. Laureth-3 and -4 are ethers, subcategory alkoxylated alcohols. They are non-ionic...