AGC Chemicals Americas explains how recent advances in silica gel technology mean W/O (water-in-oil) sun care formulations can now be created that rival the appeal and processing ease of O/W (oil-in-water) formulations
Skincare product formulators often turn to water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions when working with inorganic sunscreen actives because of their superior sun protection factor (SPF) efficiency per unit of active. Oil-in-water (O/W) formulations have tactile aesthetic advantages but are less SPF-efficient and present formulation issues with inorganic sunscreen actives, especially zinc oxide.
W/O formulations provide better SPF efficiency in part because of the more consistent film they apply to the hydrophobic skin surface. There are other advantages as well, including the fact W/O emulsions have a degree of inherent water resistance not seen in O/W emulsions that contain hydrophilic emulsifiers.
Challenges of W/O formulations using mineral actives
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