What is an emulsion-based serum?
Emulsion-based serums are products that contain water and oils in a stable mixture. They can contain water and oil soluble ingredients along with emulsifiers that bind water and oil together as well as a broad-spectrum preservative.
Emulsion serums combine the benefits of anhydrous (water free) and gel serums – with a complex mixture of water and oil soluble active ingredients for a hydrating and softening effect of moisturisers.
Formulating emulsions can be tricky.
They can become unstable, can separate, and adjusting the viscosity can be difficult in serums, as they contain higher percentages of active ingredients compared to regular lotions and moisturisers. High or very low pH values or high concentrations of salt can also destabilise the emulsion.
What is the difference between emulsified serums & regular moisturisers?
The main difference is the content of active ingredients. Lotions are designed to moisturise and soften the skin, while serums contain very specific benefits to the skin (eg anti-aging, sebum regulating, with a large percentage of high-performance active ingredients.
Different types of emulsion-based serum...
There are two main types of emulsion-based serums, - typical emulsions and gel-creams.
Gel-creams are something in between an aqueous gel and an oil-in-water cream. They normally contain low amounts of oil, around 10% and feel very light, silky and non-greasy on the skin.