In a formulation where a water-based extract containing natural pigments is mixed with oil-based cosmetic ingredients, what natural emulsifiers can ensure stable emulsion formation without the use of synthetic chemicals? Additionally, which parameters should be optimized to preserve pigment stability in such a natural system?"
Hi,
From experience, natural emulsifiers such as lecithin (especially sunflower-derived), acacia gum, and sucrose esters tend to perform well in such systems. Their effectiveness, however, strongly depends on the oil polarity and the overall HLB balance. For pigment-containing emulsions, it’s also crucial to optimize pH (generally mildly acidic), minimize oxygen exposure, and consider antioxidant inclusion (e.g., tocopherols) to mitigate pigment degradation.
Hope this helps.
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