At ORY Skincare, every custom lotion, cream, and moisturizer is a harmonious blend of nature and science. Central to our formulations is the magic of emulsifiers—plant-derived ingredients that unite oil and water to create the silky, luxurious textures you love. Our Emulsifier Science (#) page dives into how these unsung heroes work, why we choose natural emulsifiers, and how they elevate your personalized skincare ritual. Whether you’re crafting a lotion for Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination, Sensitive, Mature, or Acne-Prone skin, our emulsifiers ensure your formula is stable, skin-friendly, and effective.
Emulsifiers are the glue that binds two immiscible liquids—oil and water—into a smooth, stable emulsion. Think of your favorite ORY lotion: its creamy texture comes from emulsifiers expertly blending nourishing oils (like jojoba or shea butter) with hydrating water-based ingredients (like ionized H₂O or aloe vera). As detailed in this Emulsifier Science page, emulsifiers are amphiphilic molecules with both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (oil-loving) parts, reducing surface tension to create a uniform product that delivers consistent benefits to your skin.
Oil droplets are dispersed in water, creating lightweight lotions perfect for Normal, Combination, or Oily skin (e.g., our Oily Skin Lotion with grape seed oil)
Water droplets are dispersed in oil, ideal for richer creams suited for Dry or Mature skin (e.g., our Dry Skin Lotion with shea butter).
Complex blends like W/O/W, used in specialized formulations for targeted delivery, ensuring actives like salicylic acid reach your skin effectively.
Emulsifiers do more than just mix ingredients—they enhance your skincare experience in key ways:
They prevent oil and water from separating, ensuring your lotion stays consistent from the first pump to the last, as noted in our Inside ORY page.
Emulsifiers like cetearyl alcohol create silky, non-greasy textures that feel luxurious on your skin, whether it’s a lightweight lotion for Oily skin or a rich cream for Dry skin.
They stabilize active ingredients (e.g., niacinamide or vitamin C), ensuring they penetrate effectively to address concerns like acne or fine lines.
Our plant-based emulsifiers, like Montanov 68, double as emollients, softening and hydrating your skin while supporting its natural barrier.
At ORY Skincare, we choose gentle, eco-friendly emulsifiers derived from natural sources like coconut, sugar, or rapeseed. These align with our mission of sustainability and clean beauty, as outlined in our Ory Lotion Mission Statement (About Us). Below are the emulsifiers we use, their benefits, and how they cater to your skin type, drawn from our Inside ORY page.
Source: Plant-derived, typically from rapeseed oil.
Benefits: Acts as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener, delivering a velvety texture and deep hydration. It strengthens the skin barrier, making it ideal for Dry, Sensitive, or Mature skin.
Best for: Sensitive Skin Lotion with sweet almond oil and chamomile extract, providing a non-irritating, creamy finish.
Why We Love It: Gentle and non-comedogenic, it suits all skin types, including Acne-Prone skin in balanced formulations.
Source: Derived from coconut or palm oil, a non-ionic emulsifier.
Benefits: Enhances spreadability and creates a lightweight, non-greasy texture, perfect for Acne-Prone or Oily skin lotions that need to control shine without clogging pores.
Best for: Acne-Prone Skin Lotion with squalane oil and salicylic acid, ensuring a smooth, matte finish.
Why We Love It: Its cleansing properties complement exfoliants like salicylic acid, making it a go-to for clearer skin.
Source: A blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols from coconut or palm oil.
Benefits: Stabilizes emulsions and adds a creamy, non-greasy feel, supporting hydration without heaviness. Ideal for Oily or Combination skin needing balance.
Best for: Oily Skin Lotion with grape seed oil and niacinamide, delivering a lightweight, shine-free texture.
Why We Love It: Its versatility suits all skin types, offering a smooth glide for daily use.
Source: Plant-based, often from coconut oil.
Benefits: Provides mild emollience and a smooth texture, enhancing product glide without overwhelming the skin. Perfect for Combination or Normal skin seeking balanced hydration.
Best for: Combination Skin Lotion with jojoba oil and Centella asiatica, balancing oily and dry zones.
Why We Love It: Its gentle nature ensures comfort for mixed skin types without clogging pores.
Source: Derived from glycerin and stearic acid, often from vegetable oils.
Benefits: Emulsifies and softens, locking in moisture for a plush, non-sticky finish. Excellent for Mature or Dry skin needing nourishment.
Best for: Mature Skin Lotion with argan oil and vitamin C, offering a luxurious, firming texture.
Why We Love It: Its skin-softening properties enhance anti-aging benefits, creating a rich yet breathable formula.
Source: Eco-certified, derived from sugar and coconut.
Benefits: Creates stable, lamellar emulsions that mimic the skin’s structure, providing long-lasting hydration and a silky feel. Ideal for Normal or Sensitive skin seeking gentle care.
Best for: Normal Skin Lotion with jojoba oil and green tea extract, maintaining a balanced glow.
Why We Love It: Its sustainable sourcing and skin-mimicking properties align with ORY’s clean beauty ethos.
Emulsifiers operate through key scientific principles, as explained in this Emulsifier Science section:
Surface Tension Reduction: Their amphiphilic nature lowers the barrier between oil and water, allowing them to blend seamlessly.
Stabilization: Emulsifiers form a protective layer around oil or water droplets, preventing separation via steric hindrance (physical barrier) or electrostatic repulsion (charged droplets).
HLB System: The Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) value determines an emulsifier’s suitability for O/W or W/O emulsions. For example, ceteareth-20 (high HLB, 15–17) is ideal for O/W lotions like our Oily Skin formula, while glyceryl stearate (lower HLB, 3–6) suits richer W/O creams for Dry skin.
Emulsification Techniques: We use high-shear mixing and homogenization to create fine, stable droplets, ensuring your lotion feels smooth and absorbs evenly.
These principles ensure that your custom lotion delivers active ingredients—like salicylic acid for acne or hyaluronic acid for hydration—exactly where your skin needs them, without separation or greasiness.
Our emulsifiers are plant-derived, eco-certified, and chosen for their skin-friendly properties, aligning with our mission to nurture skin and planet. Here’s why they matter:
Gentle on Skin: Unlike synthetic emulsifiers, our natural options (e.g., behenyl alcohol) minimize irritation, making them safe for Sensitive or Acne-Prone skin.
Sustainable Sourcing: Derived from renewable sources like coconut or sugar, they reflect our commitment to eco-friendly practices (Botanical Infusion).
Enhanced Feel: They create luxurious textures, from lightweight lotions for Oily skin to rich creams for Dry skin, enhancing your sensory experience.
Compatibility: Our emulsifiers work harmoniously with other ingredients, like botanical infusions (e.g., chamomile in jojoba oil) and actives (e.g., niacinamide), ensuring effective delivery (Inside ORY).
When you create a custom lotion on our Start Your Custom Order (#start-your-custom-order) page, you can trust our emulsifiers to bring your formula to life. Here’s how they enhance lotions for each skin type, based on our Skin Types section:
Normal Skin : Montanov 68 creates a silky, lightweight lotion with jojoba oil and green tea extract, maintaining balance without greasiness.
Dry Skin : Glyceryl stearate delivers a rich, nourishing texture with shea butter and rosehip oil, locking in hydration.
Oily Skin : Cetearyl alcohol ensures a matte, non-comedogenic finish with grape seed oil and tea tree oil, controlling shine.
Combination Skin : Cetyl alcohol provides a versatile, smooth texture with jojoba oil and Centella asiatica, balancing oily and dry zones.
Sensitive Skin : Behenyl alcohol offers a gentle, non-irritating base with sweet almond oil and chamomile extract, soothing redness.
Mature Skin : Glyceryl stearate enhances a plush, firming lotion with argan oil and vitamin C, reducing fine lines.
Acne-Prone Skin : Ceteareth-20 supports a lightweight, cleansing formula with squalane oil and salicylic acid, preventing clogged pores.
Creating stable emulsions isn’t without challenges, as noted in this Emulsifier Science section. Here’s how ORY addresses them:
Stability Over Time: We use eco-certified preservatives like phenoxyethanol and Germall Plus (Inside ORY section) alongside emulsifiers to prevent separation, ensuring your lotion remains fresh for 6–12 months when stored properly.
Sensory Properties: Our emulsifiers are chosen for their smooth, non-sticky feel, tailored to your skin type’s needs (e.g., lightweight for Oily skin, creamy for Dry skin).
Compatibility: We formulate with ingredients that complement emulsifiers, like botanical infusions and humectants, to avoid reactions and ensure efficacy.
Safety and Regulation: Our emulsifiers meet global cosmetic standards, are non-irritating, and are patch-test recommended, especially for Sensitive skin (Ingredients section).
Sustainability: By choosing plant-based emulsifiers like Montanov 68, we minimize environmental impact, aligning with our eco-friendly mission.
Emulsifiers may work behind the scenes, but they’re the heart of ORY’s luxurious, effective formulations. They ensure your custom lotion—whether it’s a Squalane + Chamomile Serum for Sensitive skin or a Rosehip + Elderflower Elixir for Mature skin—feels as good as it performs. Paired with our laser-engraved bottles (Personalization), your skincare becomes a personalized masterpiece.
Explore the science behind your glow and start crafting your custom lotion today. Visit our Start Your Custom Order (#start-your-custom-order) page to choose your ingredients, or dive into our Skin Types page to find the perfect formula for your skin. Have questions? Contact our skincare experts at hello@oryskincare.com for personalized advice.
