Emulsifying Wax

Have you every heard of emulsifying wax before? If you are like me you haven't, not until I started making lotion and needed it! Emulsifying wax is an ingredient that for me specifically, binds my water-based ingredients with my oil-based ingredients. It is key in lotion making because it prevents the ingredients from separating back out from each other after time. It also helps to add thickness and creaminess to your formulation.

When I first started making lotions I just bought pretty much the first ingredient that showed up on a google search. I have sense learned that there are all different kinds of emulsifying wax. The regular -emulsifying wax- that I have on hand has so controversy over it. E wax is created when a wax material, generally vegetable wax, is combined with a polysorbate, which is a big, fancy name for an organic compound. Together, these two ingredients are able to bind the water to the oils, to prevent separation. My supplier of the emulsifying wax that I have been using no longer is carrying it. So I have been doing more research and going to experiment with some other, more natural, types of emulsifiers.

That all sounds big and scientific and confusing, but the research has shown that Emulsifying wax is widely regarded as safe for all skin types, with minimal concerns about side effects. Its non-irritating properties are particularly praised, making it a suitable choice even for sensitive skin. E wax has a big impact on your lotions so I am very picky about how it acts in my lotion recipe. I will update with another post about the how the new types of e wax work and react with my lotions.