The form of a sunscreen product has a significant impact on its sensory characteristics and ease of application to the skin. Oil-in-water (O/W) lotions are favored for their stability, high water content (lowering costs), and non-greasy skin feel. Compared to oil-in-water emulsions, the external oil phase in water-in-oil systems generally spreads more easily on the skin, lasts longer, has improved emollient properties and resistance to washout, which are significant advantages for sunscreen products. Despite these properties, conventional water-in-oil systems can still have a greasy, greasy feel and lack formulation flexibility.
Silicone emulsifiers, such as Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, act to bridge these two systems while providing the best properties of both. It is an alkyl silicone polyether specifically designed for the production of water-in-oil emulsions. The combination of alkyl (hydrophobic) and polyether (hydrophilic) groups on the silicone backbone makes it an elegant non-ionic silicone emulsifier.
Due to the presence of alkyl groups in the structure, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone has a strong ability to emulsify UV filters, esters, mineral and vegetable oils, waxes and butters. It can emulsify oil contents up to 30% and is able to accommodate oil phases of low to medium polarity, including high levels of silicone oils. Water-in-oil emulsion suitable for hot and cold processing. Cold-processed water-in-oil emulsions reduce energy costs and shorten processing times.
