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Writer's picturetaralee
Feb 85 min read

Best Lotion Emulsifiers for Beginners - Formulating Cosmetics for Beginners

This is a list of all in one emulsifiers that I recommend for beginners who are just starting out with formulating.



Quick recap

All-In-One Emulsifiers allow home crafters to make relatively quick and easy emulsions that are pretty reliable as long as you follow the directions. Here are some of my favorite Waxy All-In-One Emulsifiers that I recommend using as a beginners.


Quick Introduction to each Emulsifier



Ritamulse SCG / Ecomulse - is my favorite all in one emulsifier to use for Face moisturizers.  It's vegan and Ecocert and it considered natural by many people. So this is another reason why I'm putting it at the top. This is my number one recommendation for beginners to use and is typically one of my go to all in one emulsifier. I think it makes great face moisturizers for those with any skin type.


Emulsifying Wax NF / Emulsifying Wax - this is my number one recommendation if you don't care about being natural or Ecocert. This is the first emulsifier that I started using myself and it was extremely reliable for me. I never had a failed emulsion when working with this emulsifier, which is why it would be my number one recommendation for beginners who don't care about being Ecocert or natural. You can purchase this emulsifier from most suppliers.


BTMS 50 - this emulsifier is perfect for those of you trying to find an ingredient that can be used for a wide range of products. This emulsifier can be used in lotions and creams but can also be used to make amazing hair conditioners. So if you are on a budget and can only purchase minimal ingredients, this is the number one emulsifier for you. Personally I love using it in a body moisturizer because it’s conditioning. It leaves your skin with this velvety/powdery feel. You get this sensory feel because of its cationic which offers Conditioning benefits. 


Olivem 1000 - I personally don't have much to say about this emulsifier because I don't have a lot of experience with it. It’s known to have more of a Soaping effect compared to other emulsifiers. And what I mean by soaping is, it leaves this white cast on the skin and it takes longer to rub in. But don't let this discourage you from trying this emulsifier because I do know of some people who swear by this emulsifier and it's their go to emulsifier. I just haven't personally work with it much and I'm sure there are ways to formulate with it to minimize that soaping effect. Of course the perks of this emulsifier is that it is Ecocert and is considered natural.


Glyceryl stearate (and) PEG-100 stearate - this emulsifier is perfect to create thinner emulsions. So it's perfect for body milks which I actually have an entire video going into detail about body milks, but it is also the secret ingredient to most store-bought body butters. Which I do have a tree hut body butter Dupe recipe on my channel using this ingredient. Honestly, I could say a lot about this ingredient because it is a must have in my collection of emulsifiers and I do reach for it a lot when I'm looking for a specific type of viscosity for my emulsions.



More Info about each Emulsifier 



Ritamulse SCG / Ecomulse

  • This emulsifier is Ecocert and considered natural by many people, but it depends on what your definition of natural is.

  • Vegan

  • Suggested Usage Rates: 2-10%

4% - Serum

5% - Lotion

8% - Cream - (according to FSS)

  • INCI: Glyceryl Stearate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Sodium Stearyl Lactylate

Glyceryl Stearate                      55-65%

Cetearyl Alcohol                        20-30%

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate      10-20%





Emulsifying Wax NF / Emulsifying Wax

  • Is not considered natural or ecocert. 

  • Vegan

  • Suggested Use Rate: “Recommended to add at a rate of approx. 25% of your oil phase plus 1%- for example, if your formulation has 24% oils (not including emulsifying wax), then you want to add 6% +1% = 7% emulsifying wax to your oil phase. The usage rates are typically about 3-5% by mass for lotions and 5-10% for creams.” (According to lotioncrafter)

  • INCI:  Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60 or Emulsifying Wax NF

Cetearyl Alcohol       70% - 80%

Polysorbate 60         20% - 30%

  • Can go by a few different names; Emulsifying wax/ emulsifying wax nf / Polawax / Polawax Emulsifying wax. There are lots of different all in one emulsifiers that might be sold under a similar name. Make sure you are reading the description and looking at the INCI. The INCI will say either Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60 or Emulsifying Wax NF. Also Emulsifying wax can vary from supplier to supplier. So if you ever decide to buy your emulsifying wax from a different supplier make sure you do a test batch to see how it compares. Emulsifying Wax C20 & Emulsifying Wax - Soft & Silky are not the same as emulsifying wax NF/polawax. 

  • Contains ethoxylated ingredients (Polysorbate 60)

  • Nonionic

  • HLB of 14.9

  • Is stable in products with a pH between 3 - 13





BTMS 50 / CreaMaker CAT

  • Is not considered natural or ecocert.

  • Vegan

  • Suggested Use Rate: 1-10% up to 25%

  • INCI: Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol

Behentrimonium methosulfate - 50%

Cetyl Alcohol - 40%

Butylene Glycol - 10%

  • Is different from BTS 25 because of BTMS 25 contains 25% Behentrimonium methosulfate instead of 50%

  • Contains no ethoxylated ingredients

  • Cationic, meaning it is conditioning.

  • No HLB

  • Is stable in products with a pH between 3 - 6




Olivem 1000

  • is Ecocert and considered natural by many people, but it depends on what your definition of natural is.

  • Vegan

  • Maximum usage rate is 25%  

3-4% for serums & lotions   

7-8% for lotions & creams

  • INCI; Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate

*The exact percentage (concentration) of composition has been withheld as a trade secret.

  • Contains no ethoxylated ingredients

  • Nonionic

  • 9 but Is based on liquid crystal formation. So the HLB value is not  critical for this emulsifier.

  • Is stable in products with a pH between 3 - 12





Glyceryl stearate (and) PEG-100 stearate / Lotionpro 165

  • Is not considered natural or ecocert.

  • Vegan

  • Suggested usage rate; 1-5% can vary on supplier

  • INCI; Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG 100 Stearate

Glyceryl Stearate  > 50%

PEG 100 Stearate < 50%



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