Formulation
Emulsifier Calculator (HLB)
(hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) is a 0–20 scale for how water-loving or oil-loving an emulsifier is. For a stable oil-in-water emulsion, like most lotions and creams, your emulsifier blend's HLB should match your oils' required HLB within ±1.
Oil phase
17.00%HLB 7
HLB 8
HLB 15.5
Emulsifier blend
4.00%HLB 14.9
HLB 4.7
Result
Required HLB
8.29
weighted oil phase
Blend HLB
12.35
weighted emulsifier mix
Δ HLB
+4.06
✗ retune blend
Suggested ratio for required HLB 8.29:
35.2% Polysorbate 60 + 64.8% Sorbitan Stearate (Span 60) (of total emulsifier mass)
Notes: total emulsifier ≈ 4–8% for lotions, 6–12% for creams. Always include a co-emulsifier or fatty alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol 2–4%) for body and stability. Validate with a 4-week stability trial (see /stability).