Emollients are used in topical preparations to impart lubrication, spreading ease, texture, and softening of the skin. They also counter the potentially drying or irritating effects of surfactants on the skin. LLS Health offers IID-listed emollients for topical formulations, including lanolin derivatives and light and medium ester emollients; these emollients offer a variety of benefits. For example, Schercemol™ esters provide excellent sensory properties. Due to their different properties/miscibility, Schercemol™ esters can be formulated with a broad range of drugs and co-excipients, rendering them suitable for different types of formulations. Additionally, some Lubrizol emollients may provide solubilizing properties and/or serve as penetration enhancers. Several are also naturally derived, meaning their renewable carbon index (RCI) is above 0.5. Lubrizol’s IID-listed emollients are used in a variety of marketed products across several dosage forms, including creams, patches, topical solutions, ointments, lotions, wipes, foams, and gels.
An emulsifier or emulsifying agent is an ingredient that stabilizes an emulsion. An emulsion is a thermodynamically unstable system comprising two or more immiscible liquids, one of which is dispersed in the other liquid. LLS Health emulsifiers are non-ionic oil-in-water emulsifiers and are naturally derived. Due to their non-ionic nature, they are non-irritant, meaning they are particularly preferred for sensitive products. They also serve as structurants and may impart some emolliency to formulations. LLS Health’s IID-listed emulsifiers add value to numerous marketed products encompassing multiple dosage forms, such as creams and lotions.
A humectant is a substance that promotes the retention of moisture on the skin. This increased moisture can increase an active ingredient’s solubility, which can then in turn increase the skin penetration. These ingredients deliver light, satiny after-feel to skin formulations and are effective at reducing the tack of glycerin. There are several creams on the market containing these IID-listed humectants and formulated with a variety of APIs.