White Emulsifying Wax

✦ Primary O/W self-emulsifying wax that creates stable, smooth creams and lotions without a separate co-emulsifier
✦ Dual-function blend of Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60 — emulsifies and thickens in a single ingredient
✦ Produces an elegant, non-greasy skin feel suitable for lightweight to medium-bodied emulsions
✦ Effective across skincare, haircare, and body care applications at low use levels of 2–8%
✦ Nonionic emulsifier — broadly compatible with actives, preservatives, and most cosmetic raw materials
✦ Beginner-friendly with consistent, predictable performance across a wide range of formula types
✦ Cosmetic-grade quality suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on finished products

White Emulsifying Wax, commonly sold as E-Wax or Emulsifying Wax NF, is a nonionic self-emulsifying blend of Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60. It has been a foundational ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation for decades, appearing in skin creams, pharmaceutical topicals, and personal care products worldwide. It is available in white to off-white pellet or flake form, making it easy to weigh, melt, and incorporate into both small-batch and large-scale production.

What makes White Emulsifying Wax particularly valuable is its self-emulsifying character. The Polysorbate 60 component acts as the primary emulsifier while Cetearyl Alcohol functions simultaneously as a co-emulsifier, thickener, and emollient — all in a single raw material. This eliminates the need to source and balance multiple emulsifying agents, streamlining the formulation process considerably. The result is a stable, creamy emulsion with a smooth application and a soft, pleasant finish on skin and hair.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade White Emulsifying Wax suitable for DIY beauty formulators, home crafters, soap makers, hair care developers, and professional cosmetic manufacturers.

INCI Name : Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60
Chemical Name : Cetearyl Alcohol and Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monostearate
CAS Number : Mixture — Cetearyl Alcohol: 67762-27-0; Polysorbate 60: 9005-67-8
Molecular Formula : Mixture — Not applicable as single formula
Appearance : White to off-white waxy pellets or flakes
Odor : Faint, waxy; practically odorless
pH (1% solution) : 6.0 – 7.0
Solubility : Dispersible in hot water; miscible with oils when melted
Specific Gravity : 0.87 – 0.95 (measured at 70°C, melted)
Flash Point : Above 100°C
HLB Value : 14 – 15
Recommended Use Level : 2 – 8% of total formula weight
Type : Nonionic O/W Self-Emulsifying Wax
Shelf Life : 24 months stored in cool, dry conditions; keep sealed

Skincare (Creams, Serums, Lotions) : ★★★★★
White Emulsifying Wax is the backbone of most O/W skin creams and body lotions, delivering reliable stability and a smooth application finish. Use at 4–6% with a balanced oil phase of 15–25% for a classic moisturizing cream.

Haircare (Shampoo, Conditioner, Masks) : ★★★★☆
It performs well in leave-in conditioning creams and hair milks where an O/W emulsion with light hold is required. Use at 3–5% for a fluid, non-greasy hair conditioning cream.

Soap Making (Cold Process, Melt and Pour) : ★★☆☆☆
White Emulsifying Wax is not suited to traditional cold process or melt-and-pour soap bases and offers negligible benefit in saponified formulas. It can be incorporated at low levels in syndet bars or emulsified scrub bases where an O/W emulsifier is needed.

Body Care (Scrubs, Butters, Balms) : ★★★★☆
Excellent for emulsified body butters and self-rinsing scrub bases where oil and water phases must be combined into a stable, pourable product. Use at 4–6% to stabilize emulsified scrub and body butter formulas effectively.

Functional Cosmetics (Deodorants, Sunscreen, Baby Care) : ★★★★☆
Performs reliably in sunscreen emulsion bases and gentle baby lotion formulas where a stable, mild O/W base is required. Confirm compatibility with UV filter actives and conduct freeze-thaw stability testing before commercial use.

As a formulator, White Emulsifying Wax is my first recommendation to anyone starting their cream-making journey. It is predictable, forgiving, and produces elegant emulsions across a wide range of oil phase percentages. I find it performs best when the total oil phase sits between 15 and 30% — go above that and you will need to increase the emulsifier level or add a secondary stabilizer. For professional work, I often layer it with a small percentage of Cetearyl Alcohol or Glyceryl Stearate to lift the skin feel from functional to truly luxurious.

ADVANCED TIP: To produce a lighter, more fluid emulsion with reduced heaviness, use White Emulsifying Wax at 3% combined with Glyceryl Stearate at 1.5% and Cetearyl Alcohol at 0.5%. Heat both phases independently to 72°C, then add the water phase to the oil phase in a slow, steady pour while mixing at medium speed. Switch to a hand homogenizer for 60 seconds once combined, then continue stirring until the batch cools below 40°C. This triblend approach reduces the occasionally waxy skin feel of E-Wax alone and produces a noticeably silkier, more elegant lotion texture.

Skincare (Creams, Serums, Lotions) : ★★★★★
White Emulsifying Wax is the backbone of most O/W skin creams and body lotions, delivering reliable stability and a smooth application finish. Use at 4–6% with a balanced oil phase of 15–25% for a classic moisturizing cream.

Haircare (Shampoo, Conditioner, Masks) : ★★★★☆
It performs well in leave-in conditioning creams and hair milks where an O/W emulsion with light hold is required. Use at 3–5% for a fluid, non-greasy hair conditioning cream.

Soap Making (Cold Process, Melt and Pour) : ★★☆☆☆
White Emulsifying Wax is not suited to traditional cold process or melt-and-pour soap bases and offers negligible benefit in saponified formulas. It can be incorporated at low levels in syndet bars or emulsified scrub bases where an O/W emulsifier is needed.

Body Care (Scrubs, Butters, Balms) : ★★★★☆
Excellent for emulsified body butters and self-rinsing scrub bases where oil and water phases must be combined into a stable, pourable product. Use at 4–6% to stabilize emulsified scrub and body butter formulas effectively.

Functional Cosmetics (Deodorants, Sunscreen, Baby Care) : ★★★★☆
Performs reliably in sunscreen emulsion bases and gentle baby lotion formulas where a stable, mild O/W base is required. Confirm compatibility with UV filter actives and conduct freeze-thaw stability testing before commercial use.

As a formulator, White Emulsifying Wax is my first recommendation to anyone starting their cream-making journey. It is predictable, forgiving, and produces elegant emulsions across a wide range of oil phase percentages. I find it performs best when the total oil phase sits between 15 and 30% — go above that and you will need to increase the emulsifier level or add a secondary stabilizer. For professional work, I often layer it with a small percentage of Cetearyl Alcohol or Glyceryl Stearate to lift the skin feel from functional to truly luxurious.

ADVANCED TIP: To produce a lighter, more fluid emulsion with reduced heaviness, use White Emulsifying Wax at 3% combined with Glyceryl Stearate at 1.5% and Cetearyl Alcohol at 0.5%. Heat both phases independently to 72°C, then add the water phase to the oil phase in a slow, steady pour while mixing at medium speed. Switch to a hand homogenizer for 60 seconds once combined, then continue stirring until the batch cools below 40°C. This triblend approach reduces the occasionally waxy skin feel of E-Wax alone and produces a noticeably silkier, more elegant lotion texture.

INCI Declared : Yes — full INCI declaration required on finished product label
EU Cosmetics Reg : Permitted — no restriction listed under EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex; used as emulsifier and thickener
Rinse-Off Limit : No limit established at standard cosmetic use levels
Leave-On Limit : No limit established at standard cosmetic use levels
Allergen Alert : No — not a declared EU fragrance allergen; patch test advised for those with known surfactant sensitivities
Skin Safety : Safe at recommended levels of 2–8%
Eye Area Use : Use with caution — avoid direct mucous membrane contact; assess safety for eye contour products
Ingestion : Not for internal use
Pregnancy Use : Generally considered safe at cosmetic use levels; consult a physician for specialized applications
Child Safety : Safe for use in baby lotions and gentle leave-on products at standard dilution; avoid use on broken or inflamed skin
Ventilation : Not required under normal mixing and handling conditions
Storage : Cool, dry place away from direct heat, humidity, and sunlight; keep container sealed between uses
Container : HDPE or glass preferred — avoid prolonged storage in reactive metal containers

⚠️ Polysorbate 60, a key component of this blend, has been associated with rare skin sensitivity reactions in individuals with known surfactant or ethoxylated ingredient sensitivities. Conduct a full stability assessment and patch test on all finished formulations before market release or retail distribution.

Working pH Range : 4.0 – 8.0
Heat Stability : Stable; melt fully into oil phase at 65–75°C before combining with water phase
Freeze-Thaw Stable : No — repeated freeze-thaw cycles may cause phase separation; conduct cycling stability tests for commercial products
Emulsion Type : O/W (Oil-in-Water)
Emulsification Phase: Hot process — both phases must be heated to 65–75°C before combination
Compatible With : Fatty alcohols, carrier oils, esters, silicones, glycols, water-soluble actives, most broad-spectrum preservative systems
Incompatible With : High electrolyte concentrations above 5%, cationic emulsifiers, and strongly acidic systems below pH 4.0
Oxidation Risk : Low — Cetearyl Alcohol has low intrinsic oxidation tendency; add antioxidant to oil phase if using oxidation-prone carrier oils
Discoloration Risk : None under standard processing conditions — slight yellowing possible if heated above 80°C for extended periods
Formulation Notes : Always melt White Emulsifying Wax into the oil phase before combining with the heated water phase. Never add it to a cold or lukewarm water phase — it will not emulsify and will produce a grainy, unstable product. Maintain continuous stirring until the emulsion cools below 40°C to prevent phase separation during cooling.

Q: What is White Emulsifying Wax and what does it do in a cream formula?
A: White Emulsifying Wax is a self-emulsifying blend of Cetearyl Alcohol and Polysorbate 60 that allows oil and water to combine into a stable, smooth emulsion. It acts as both the emulsifier and a mild thickener, making it the core structural ingredient in most DIY O/W creams and lotions.

Q: How much White Emulsifying Wax should I use in a lotion or cream?
A: A starting range of 4–6% works well for most standard O/W creams with an oil phase of 15–25%. For lighter, more fluid lotions reduce to 3–4%, and for richer formulas with higher oil content move toward 6–8% to maintain stability.

Q: Do I need to add a co-emulsifier when using White Emulsifying Wax?
A: No — it is self-emulsifying and does not require a separate co-emulsifier. However, adding Cetearyl Alcohol at 1–2% or Glyceryl Stearate at 1–1.5% alongside it will noticeably improve the skin feel and produce a creamier, more elegant finished texture.

Q: Can I use White Emulsifying Wax to make a hair conditioner?
A: Yes, it works well in leave-in conditioning creams and hair milks at 3–5%. For rinse-out conditioners requiring detangling and slip, pairing it with or replacing it with a cationic conditioning emulsifier such as BTMS-50 will produce significantly better conditioning and anti-static performance.

Q: How does White Emulsifying Wax compare to BTMS-50?
A: White Emulsifying Wax is a nonionic O/W emulsifier designed for skin creams, body lotions, and light hair products, with no conditioning charge. BTMS-50 is a cationic conditioning emulsifier engineered specifically for hair care, providing superior detangling, moisture retention, and anti-static performance that nonionic E-Wax cannot replicate; for serious hair formulations, BTMS-50 is the stronger choice.

Product evaluation

Review the specifications, supplied grade, intended use and compatibility of White Emulsifying Wax before ordering for production. Test a small quantity in the actual application and document the result before scaling.

Quality control

Inspect the received batch for expected appearance, odor, texture, packaging condition and labeling. Keep supplier and batch records, use accurate measurements, and retain a reference sample when the material is used commercially.

Storage and responsible use

Store tightly closed in a clean, cool and dry location away from direct sunlight. Follow the current supplier instructions and all safety, labeling and regulatory requirements that apply to the intended finished product.