Emulsifier composition based on pentaerythritol esters and alkoxylated nonionic emulsifiers

A process for the production of an emulsion, comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing an emulsifier composition, comprising:
• (a) an ester of a C6-22 fatty acid and a polyol selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, and mixtures thereof;
• (b) at least one alkoxylated nonionic emulsifier;
• and
• (c) less than 10% by weight water,
• wherein said emulsifier composition comprises less than about 10% by weight of partial glycerides, based on the amount of component (a) present in the composition;
• (ii) dispersing the emulsifier composition in an oil phase;
• (iii) heating the emulsifier composition dispersed in the oil phase to a temperature above the phase inversion temperature thereof;
• (iv) heating an aqueous phase to a temperature above the phase inversion temperature thereof;
• and
• (v) stirring the oil phase with the aqueous phase and cooling to room temperature,
• wherein said alkoxylated nonionic emulsifiers are ethoxylated and/or propoxylated.

A cosmetic composition, comprising:

• an emulsifier composition, comprising:
• (a) an ester of a C6-22 fatty acid and a polyol selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, and mixtures thereof;
• (b) at least one alkoxylated nonionic emulsifier;
• and
• (c) less than 10% by weight water,
• wherein said emulsifier composition comprises less than about 10% by weight of partial glycerides, based on the amount of component (a) present in the emulsifier composition, and wherein the emulsifier composition is present in the cosmetic composition in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 40% by weight of the cosmetic composition, and wherein said alkoxylated nonionic emulsifiers are ethoxylated and/or propoxylated.