Glossary · Formulation
What Is Emulsifier?
An emulsifier is a surfactant that allows oil and water to stay mixed by sitting at the interface between the two phases. Emulsifiers are chosen by their balance of hydrophilic and lipophilic character, and that balance, with the oil-to-water ratio, decides whether the result is a lotion, a cream or an unstable mixture.
Why it matters when you source
The emulsifier system is the backbone of every cream and lotion, so a change in it is a new formula rather than a tweak: texture, viscosity and stability all move together. When a supplier proposes a similar formula at a lower price, this is the first place to ask what changed.
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