Emulsifiers for homemade lotion

Handmade lotions are fun to make and are a luxurious gift or product. Because most lotions and moisturizers have a water phase and an oil phase, an emulsifier is needed to keep the lotion from separating out. Nobody wants a bottle of oil and water!
Emulsifiers work to blend oil based liquids and water based liquids because their molecules have a hydrophilic (water loving) end and a hydrophobic (water hating) end. The hydrophilic side is attracted to the water and the hydrophobic side is attracted to the oil. That causes the two to mix together smoothly and to stay together longer.
We carry a few emulsifying waxes that are perfect for making DIY lotion. These emulsifiers are easy to use; melt them with the oils and butters that you’re using, and mix. We even offer an emulsifying wax called Bio-Mulsion Wax that’s derived from plants. This emulsifying wax is perfect for lotions for sensitive skin.
Our BTMS-50 Conditioning Emulsifier also keeps your water and oil phases together, plus it adds conditioning properties to your lotion. It can also be used alongside emulsifying wax.
We also offer stearic acid, which comes as a powder. This emulsifier is also added to the oil phase of your lotion recipe and heated before mixing. Stearic acid is considered a co-emulsifier; that means that it works alongside a primary emulsifier to thicken the product and keep the emulsion stable. Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 are also emulsifiers that can be used in lotion, but they won’t stabilize your product alone. Instead, they’ll help colorants and fragrances blend into the rest of your lotion ingredients.
Using the right emulsifier is key to making a truly wonderful DIY lotion. We have a variety of emulsifiers with their own properties and uses, and we’re sure you’ll find what you need to make a wonderful lotion.