1.2.4 Skin cream composition
Skin creams can be formulated from many different ingredients, the most
common include: water, emollients, emulsifiers and preservatives. Water is the most
commonly used liquid in cosmetic preparations. The level of water in a skin cream
can affect the skin feel on application, as water evaporates from the formulation it
has a cooling effect on the skin surface. Vanishing creams contain high levels of
water which results in easy application of the cream that appears to vanish during
application leaving a non-greasy residue on the skin (Shai et al., 2001).
Emollients include oils and lipids that are easy to spread on the skin. They
hydrate the skin through partial occlusion of the stratum corneum which improves
the overall appearance (Rawlings et al., 2004). Different emollients provide different