Emulsifiers

This is a large class of chemical compounds and it is also a sub-class of a very large category of chemicals called Surfactants. Basically, emulsifiers (and surfactants) are molecules that have two different functions in the same molecule – oil solubility and water solubility. This makes them able to connect oil and water by making the interface between the oil and the water more compatible. To make oil-in-water emulsions (such as salad dressings, Curel, Vaseline Intensive Care and Cetaphil), emulsifiers tend to be surfactants, or combinations of surfactants, that have about equal water and oil soluble parts. That is, they have an HLB value (Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance) of about 10. To make water-in-oil emulsions (such as butter and Nivea Cream) the emulsifiers, or combinations of emulsifiers, have an HLB that is around 5. There are many types of emulsifiers and surfactants, from soaps to complete synthetics such as silicone polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene combinations. While these products have their uses, at Suncoast Products, we prefer to use natural or naturally derived ingredients.