Co-surfactants & emulsifiers
O/W and W/O emulsifying
- Ionic type
- Nonionic / mixed
- Typical HLB
- Pair low + high to required HLB
- Foam
- Low to moderate
- Key industries
- Personal care, Agro, Paint
Biodegradability: Sorbitan esters and polysorbates are well-characterised; use the HLB calculator to set the pair before a biodegradability claim.
| Goal | Call it | Typical tool |
|---|---|---|
| Clean / wet / foam | Surfactant | Anionics, mid-HLB ethoxylates |
| Hold oil + water as one phase | Emulsifier | HLB-matched pair or wax |
| Both in one formula | Both | Primary surfactant + emulsifier blend |
Co-surfactants (Emulsifiers)
What are co-surfactants and emulsifiers? Co-surfactants and emulsifiers are specialty surfactants that help form and stabilize emulsions by reducing interfacial tension between oil and water. They work alongside primary surfactants to improve droplet stability, texture, and shelf life. Esteem’s range includes ethoxylated alcohols, esters, and sorbitan-based products used in personal care, home care, and industrial emulsions.
Key benefits of our co-surfactants & emulsifiers
- Improved emulsion stability and shelf life by optimizing interfacial tension and forming robust interfacial films around dispersed droplets.
- Fine control over cream and lotion aesthetics, including viscosity build, spreadability, and sensory feel on skin and hair.
- Wide pH and electrolyte tolerance for use in challenging formulations such as antiperspirants, depilatories, sun care, and medicated products.
Typical applications
- Skin care and sun care emulsions (creams, lotions, serums) that require elegant textures and long-term stability.
- Hair care systems, color cosmetics, and bath & shower products where co-emulsifiers and solubilizers are needed for complex oil phases and actives.
- Industrial and specialty emulsions where controlled droplet size and phase behavior are critical, including certain agrochemical and coating systems.
Technical highlights
- Portfolio spanning ethoxylated fatty alcohols, esters, sorbitan derivatives, and polyol-based emulsifiers with tailored HLB values.
- Grades selected for compatibility with primary surfactants, oils, esters, and active ingredients used in modern formulations.
- Backed by formulation support to help you choose the right emulsifier or blend for desired HLB, phase inversion temperature, and long-term product stability.
Co-surfactants technical guide
Ceteth-2, Ceteth-20EO, Steareth-2/20/21, Ceteareth-20EO, laureths, and oleths are the published fatty alcohol ethoxylate grades. Cream pairs versus fragrance solubilizers are in the Ceteth-2 and fatty alcohol ethoxylate pairs guide. PEG-200/400 laurate–stearate–oleate and PEG-1500/1750/2000 stearates: PEG-200/400 ester emulsifiers. O/W process: cream and lotion emulsifier selection.
Related CAS Numbers
Technical guides for this product family
Primers matched to this chemistry family. Start here, then open a TDS.
Frequently Asked Questions - Co-Surfactants & Emulsifiers
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Need a sample or formulation support?
Talk to Esteem Industries formulators about grade selection, HLB matching, custom ethoxylation, and application trials. Request a sample or technical discussion for your next project.