When I start thinking about a creating a new product or remaking something from my makeup line the first thing I do is pull out my emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are the foundation for any product. They help makeup adhere to your skin, they mix oil with water, they feel silky, powdery or waxy and they help everything blend smoothly. They are always going to be near the top of the ingredient list. Which means they need to be of good quality because you will be putting quite a lot of it on your skin.
Then I ask myself what you, my customer, want from each product I am making. What kind of lipstick look is hot right now, glossy or matte? Do you want your foundation waterproof or barely there? Should your age-fighting moisturizer soak in quickly or offer rich, long-lasting moisture? Once you help me answer these questions from feedback and testing it often seems like the emulsifier choice becomes obvious. There are tons of options when it comes to emulsifiers, and they all bring something different to the party. The reason I have chosen the ones I use is because I believe in natural products that aren’t petroleum derived and many of you seem to agree. These also have the best skin feel. Some natural emulsifiers tend to feel heavy and sticky, Yuck! Who wants that? So when you see words like Behetrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Stearate and Sorbitan Olivate don’t be afraid because these things are sourced from plants; mostly olive and canola (not too scary) and they are what is holding all your products together.
I am not a paid endorser for Lotioncrafter. I do buy most of my supplies through them though, so you will see their labels repeatedly in the pictures I take and post.