Ingredients Watch: What's So Bad About Emulsifiers?

How often do you try a new moisturiser yet your skin still feels dry? Do you feel that no matter how you try to boost hydration, your skin just isn't getting any better? It's probably not that your skin is a lost cause, it's more likely due to emulsifiers in your products.

What are emulsifiers?

Emulsifiers are an easy and inexpensive way of combining oil and water in an emulsion. An emulsifier prevents you from having to vigorously shake them in order to combine the oil and water in your products before use.When used in creams, they are called emulsifiers but are often referred to as surfactants in cleansing products.

What's so bad about them?

After the hydrating waters and nourishing oils of your creams have absorbed into the skin, the emulsifiers are left on the surface. You may not know it's there but this soapy residue damages the skin's protective barrier layer, making it harder to keep ageing environmental aggressors out and lock vital moisture in.In cleansers, emulsifiers also often contribute to the foaming effect. Many of us like this as we feel it's a sign of a deep cleanse but in reality we are just stripping away essential oils and impairing the skin's barrier function.

How do I know if my product contains emulsifiers?

If the product does not state that it's emulsifier free, check the label for ingredients such as emulsifying wax, polysorbate, stearate, steareth, cetearyl and ceteareth.

What are the best products to use?

Emulsifiers have long been widely used in skincare but many brands now are starting to switch up their methods. One of the earliest adopters of emulsifier free skincare was the brand Dermaviduals. They are a clinical brand who's products are not only free from emulsifiers but also preservatives, perfumes and other potential irritants.

For more information on emulsifier-free skincare, call our experts on 0113 282 7744.

Written for you by: Ellie, Face the Future

Image source: freepik.com