A

Lighter Touch

Cithrol DPHS
TM
 Unique light skin feel, uncommon in W/O
emulsions
 Superior spreadability
Light, elegant and soft are not words that usually describe water-in-oil
emulsions... but with the inclusion of Cithrol DPHS as your W/O emulsifier, you  Improved patient compliance
can move away from thick, heavy creams and add a touch of elegance to your  Excellent stability
medicated formulations.
 High internal water phase (up to 90%)
Cithrol DPHS (PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate) is an extremely versatile W/O
emulsifier. It has the unique ability to produce very stable, fluid, low viscosity  PhEur monograph in 2011
emulsions which spread easily on the skin while creating a light, non-oily skin
feel.
With the publication of the PhEur monograph in 2011, now is the time to
consider how Cithrol DPHS can benefit your dermatological solutions.
Cithrol DPHS Sensory study
Function A W/O emulsifier with a difference, A trained Sensory Spectrum panel assessed a commercial W/O
providing a uniquely light, elegant skin feel medicated cream against an in-house formulation containing
to medicated creams. Cithrol DPHS as the emulsifier. The commercial W/O cream used was a
market-leading medicated brand containing lanolin alcohol as the W/O
Previous tradename Arlacel P135*
emulsifier.
Chemical description PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
The panel study was carried out using a set of Qualitative Descriptive
Applications Medicated W/O creams, body milks and Analysis Attributes (QDAA) developed by Sensory Spectrum. These
baby care, low viscosity W/O emulsions, attributes are designed to correlate with consumer sensory perception
extremely high internal phase W/O of the products.
emulsions.
Wetness
Typical usage levels 1-2% 70

HLB 5.5 60
50
Melting point 32-40°C 40
Greasy Spreadability
30
Specific gravity (25°C) 0.92-0.96
20
10

A unique W/O emulsifier 0

Water-in-oil formulations are typically found to be thick, heavy creams

and so tend to be unpleasant and difficult to apply effectively. When
formulating with traditional W/O emulsifiers, the following problems are Stickiness Thickness

encountered:
■ Difficult to achieve light skin feel
■ Poor stability Absorbency
■ Difficult to achieve fluid, low viscosity emulsions
In-house formulation containing Cithrol DPHS
Cithrol DPHS is a solution to all of the above problems associated with Commercial W/O cream
traditional W/O systems as shown in the table below.
Figure 1: Comparison of the sensory characteristics of a commercial W/O cream with an
in-house formulation containing Cithrol DPHS
Skin feel Offers unique emulsification characteristics at low
usage levels (1-2%). High internal water phase is The study shows that the in-house formulation containing Cithrol DPHS
possible up to 90%, leading to a light, non-oily skin as the W/O emulsifier has a very different skin feel to the commercial
feel. W/O cream. The panel found the formulation containing Cithrol DPHS to
Stability The Cithrol DPHS molecule is of optimal molecular be significantly more spreadable, much lighter and less greasy and
weight, featuring ideal interfacial packing and large sticky than the commercial cream.
polymeric oil and water phase anchors. These
attributes provide a large steric barrier to droplet Light skin feel
coalescence, giving the emulsion its superior stability.
With Cithrol DPHS, it is possible to achieve an appealing light skin feel.
Liquid lamellar structures form in the oil phase,
This level of lightness is extremely rare in W/O formulations and
causing very low interfacial tensions and enabling
compares favourably to popular commercial water-in-oil products,
stability up to 50°C.
which tend to have a heavier thick feel.
Viscosity It is possible to formulate sprays, milks, lotions and
creams, leading to improved patient compliance as Improved patient compliance
thick, heavy creams can be unpleasant to apply.
The light skin feel is particularly appealing when encouraging patients
to use topical W/O formulations, as medicated creams typically feel
Cithrol DPHS is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, heavy and greasy, leaving smears when applied to exposed skin. In
including medicated creams, body milks and lotions and sprayable order to ensure willingness of patient application, it is beneficial to
solutions for all. formulate medicated creams with the most pleasant possible skin feel,
It allows for easy and reproducible emulsion processing, including allowing ease and encouraging regularity of application.
pseudo-cold emulsification. Cithrol DPHS also has excellent
compatibility with a large number of oils, electrolytes, alcohols and
polyols, making it versatile in terms of other ingredients that can be
incorporated into your formulation.

*Uniqema tradename

A Lighter Touch
Excellent stability
Figure 2 details the results of a stability trial comparing three
formulations, A and B containing 1% and 5% w/w of a standard W/O
emulsifier and C containing 1% w/w Cithrol DPHS. The superior stability
afforded by Cithrol DPHS even at the low inclusion rate of 1% can be
clearly seen.
Viscosity (Pas)
A B C
Figure 2: Formulations contain: A: Standard W/O emulsifier @1% w/w, B: Standard W/O
emulsifier @5% w/w, C: Cithrol DPHS @1% w/w
The structure of the Cithrol DPHS molecule is what gives the emulsifier
its superior stability. The diagram below shows the oil/water interface.
There is a larger portion of the Cithrol DPHS molecule anchored in both
the water and the oil phases compared to the smaller sorbitan ester
emulsifier molecule. This creates a larger steric barrier to droplet
coalescence, effectively preventing it, and so the stability of the
emulsion is increased.
Oil Cithrol DPHS
Polyhydroxystearate
chains
Sorbitan Ester
Polyethylene
oxide
Water
Figure 3: Orientation of a molecule of Cithrol DPHS compared to that of a standard W/O
emulsifier at the water-oil interface
The structure of the Cithrol DPHS molecule also encourages its optimal
packing at the water-oil interface, meaning that no co-emulsifier is
needed. As the polyhydroxystearate chains are soluble in most oils, they
are effectively anchored into place, physically stabilising the emulsion.
The optimal molecular weight of the Cithrol DPHS molecule enables it
to move quickly to the water-oil interface, where it adsorbs irreversibly
and further stabilises the emulsion.
Superior spreadability
The rheology of formulations B and C, featured in figure 2, was tested.
Figure 4 demonstrates that both emulsions have shear thinning
behaviour however formulation C, containing 1% W/W of Cithrol DPHS,
provides lower viscosity values over the whole range of torque used.
This shows the superior ability of Cithrol DPHS to deliver stable, low
viscosity W/O emulsions.
10000
1000
100
10
1
B: Standard W/O emulsifier @ 5% w/w
C: Cithrol DPHS @ 1% w/w
0.1
100 1000 10000
Torque (micro Nm)
Figure 4: Comparison of the viscosity of a formulation containing Cithrol DPHS with a
formulation containing a standard W/O emulsifier
High internal water phase
Cithrol DPHS is most effective at internal phase ratios where traditional
W/O emulsifiers fail. Such emulsifiers tend to require an inclusion level
of at least 27% of the oil phase by weight. However when formulating
with Cithrol DPHS, a higher internal water phase actually makes it
easier to produce more stable emulsions. Extreme examples are
emulsions using 1% Cithrol DPHS to emulsify 90% of the water phase.
This exceptionally high level of internal water phase contributes to the
light skin feel of formulations containing Cithrol DPHS.
Monograph
The application for the PhEur monograph for
PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate has been submitted and progressed to
the final approval stages. The full monograph will be published in 2011.
Be among the first to feel the benefits of this unique emulsifier in your
dermatological formulation. To find out more about Cithrol DPHS, visit
www.croda.com/healthcare or contact your local Croda Sales
representative.
Example formulations
Renewing cleanser for problem skin PH086
Product/Chemical Description Monograph Functionality % by wt
Phase A
Super RefinedTM ArlasolveTM DMI (Dimethyl Isosorbide)1 - Penetration enhancer 5.00
Salicylic Acid PhEur Keratolytic agent 2.00
Phase B
CrodamolTM IPP (Isopropyl Palmitate)1 JPE Emollient 17.00
Crodamol AB (Alkyl (C12-15) Benzoate)
TM 1
NF Emollient 3.00
Cithrol DPHS (PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate)
TM 1
PhEur pending* W/O emulsifier 2.00
Liquid Medilan Ultra (Liquid Lanolin)
TM 1
- Skin repair 1.00
Propylparaben PhEur Preservative 0.15
Phase C
Water Deionised - - To 100
Pricerine 9093 (Glycerin)
TM 1
PhEur Humectant 5.00
Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate PhEur Emulsion stabiliser 0.70
Methylparaben PhEur Preservative 0.20

Suppliers:- 1: Croda
Method
Combine phase A and stir by hand until dissolved. Weigh out ingredients of phase B, add phase A and heat up to 50-60ºC. Separately combine phase
C and heat it up to 50-60ºC. While stirring, slowly add phase C into combined A/B phases. Continue stirring for 2 minutes then homogenise for
1 minute/100g. Stir until cools down to room temperature.

Hydrating baby lotion PH094

Product/Chemical Description Monograph Functionality % by wt
Crodamol OPG (Ethylhexyl Pelargonate)
TM 1
- Emollient 10.00
Arlamol PS15E (PPG 10-15 Stearyl Ether)
TM 1
- Emollient 5.00
Crodamol DA (Diisopropyl Adipate)
TM 1
JPE Emollient 4.50
Medilan Super (Lanolin)
TM 1
USP/NF Skin repair benefits 2.00
Cithrol DPHS (PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate)
TM 1
PhEur pending* W/O polymeric emulsifier 1.50
CrodamolTM GTCC (Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides)1 PhEur, USP/NF Emollient 1.00
Propylparaben - Preservative 0.15
Water Deionised - - To 100
Pricerine 9093 (Glycerin)
TM 1
PhEur Humectant 5.00
Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate PhEur Emulsion stabiliser 0.70
Methylparaben - Preservative 0.15

Suppliers:- 1: Croda
Method
Combine oil and water phases separately and heat to 70-75°C. Add water phase to oil with high shear stirring. Homogenise for 2 minutes per 100g.
Stir to cool.
*publication expected 2011
Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is made. Suggestions for
uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed
or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party
patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright, trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
©2010 Croda Europe Ltd Printed on recycled paper

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