2022-04-20
and diaper rash cream for use on baby skin.
Emulsion types that can be used for this purpose have been evaluated.
Emulsion Types
We can define an emulsion as an unstable system consisting of two or more immiscible liquids such as water and oil or polar and non-polar. Emulsions can be in the form of water-in-oil (w/o) (water-in-oil phase) or oil-in-water (o/w) (oil-in-water phase). Emulsifiers are used to keep emulsions composed of immiscible substances in balance. Thus, a mechanical and chemical barrier is created between the particles by means of an emulsifier between two phases or two substances that do not mix with each other, and by reducing the interfacial tension, the aggregation of the particles is prevented and a homogeneous system is established.
n order to obtain stable emulsions, it is very important to choose the emulsifier according to the emulsion type. In order to make this selection correctly, the Hydrophilic - Lipophilic Balance (HLB - Hydrophilic - Lipophilic Balance) value is calculated in accordance with the water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion. Substances with a low HLB value are more lipophilic, and substances with a high HLB value are more hydrophilic. Emulsions with low HLB values need emulsifiers with low HLB values. Emulsions with high HLB values need emulsifiers with high HLB values. In short, the HLB system helps in making decisions about the types and amounts of emulsifiers needed for the formed formula to be a stable emulsion.
Oil-in-Water Emulsions
In Oil-in-Water emulsions, the oil phase is in the form of a discrete phase dispersed in the continuous water phase. Emulsifiers suitable for oil-in-water work by reducing the surface tension of water from 72.8 millinewtons/m (mN/m) at 20°C to that of the oil phase, which is between 30-50 mN/m. The lower the interface tension surface tension difference between the phases, the easier it is to form the emulsion. In order to form Oil-in-Water emulsions, the emulsifier used must be more soluble in the water phase than in the oil phase. Oil-in-water emulsifiers have an HLB value greater than 15. Emulsions prepared in the form of Oil-in-Water have the property of spreading easily on the skin. Since the outer phase of oil-in-water emulsions is water, it creates a cooling effect on the skin. Emulsions prepared in oil-in-water form are vulnerable to the formation of microbial and bacterial contamination. Therefore, they may require the use of preservatives to prevent deterioration of the formulation.
Water-in-Oil Emulsions
Water-in-Oil emulsions are generally called inverse emulsions and the water phase forms the discontinuous phase, while the oil phase forms the outer continuous phase. This type of emulsion is more difficult to stabilize than oil-in-water emulsions. To stabilize Water-in-Oil emulsions, appropriate emulsifiers are used. In Water-in-Oil emulsions, since the skin first comes into contact with the oil, a feeling of oiliness occurs on the skin. The emulsifiers used to form these emulsions are more soluble in the oil phase. HLB values range from 2.5 to 6. Emulsions prepared as water-in-oil are resistant to water and make the product more resistant to microbiological effects that may occur in the product. They form a lighter structure than emulsions prepared as oil-in-water and do not damage the lipid bilayers in the skin. In order to obtain a stable structure in emulsions prepared as Water-in-Oil, it may be necessary to use a stabilizer.
Conclusion
As a result of the evaluations made on emulsion types, two different emulsion types were determined in accordance with the intended use of the product to be developed for the Planto Baby cosmeceutical product development project.
Plantobaby Face and Body Moisturizing Lotion, which contains herbal extracts, provides an easy application while moisturizing the baby's skin with its formula prepared according to Oil-in-Water emulsion. In this way, it does not leave any sticky feeling on the skin.
Plantobaby Rash Cream, which contains herbal extracts prepared according to Water-in-Oil emulsion, prevents diaper rash by forming a barrier with its formula that does not clog the pores of the baby's skin.
