Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
197,787 studies31 sourcesUpdated 28 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Oleo Science

Replacing Emulsifiers with Gelation: A Surfactant-Free Approach to Emulgel Formulation Using Polyvinyl Alcohol

  • Ömer Yedikaya
  • Aleyna Başar
  • Ahmet Doğan Ergin
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Conventional emulgels require emulsifiers to stabilize oil and water, which may cause skin irritation and complicate formulations. This study aimed to develop a surfactant-free emulgel using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as both gelling and stabilizing agent. METHODS: factorial design evaluated the effects of PVA concentrations (2 %, 4 %, 10 %) and olive oil ratios (10 %, 20 %, 40 %) on emulgel properties. Nine formulations were prepared via freeze-thaw gelation and homogenization. They were analyzed for pH, viscosity, particle size, and zeta potential. The optimized formulation was further assessed through spreadability, Texture Profile Analysis (TPA), rheological tests, and in vitro occlusion studies. RESULTS: All formulations showed skin-compatible pH and viscosity. Higher PVA increased viscosity and network strength, while olive oil influenced droplet size and viscosity. The optimized formulation (4 % PVA, 20 % olive oil) exhibited favorable rheology, texture, and spreadability. Occlusion studies showed a moderate occlusion factor of 62.69 ± 7.95 %, lower than petrolatum (89.26 ± 3.19 %) but higher than control (0 %), indicating formation of a thin semi-occlusive film that reduced transepidermal water loss and promoted hydration. CONCLUSIONS: Surfactant-free emulgels using PVA can be successfully formulated. The moderate occlusion effect highlights their potential in dermal and cosmetic applications as biocompatible, stable, and patient-friendly systems.

Related

  1. Sustainable Polyvinyl Alcohol/Carnauba Wax Films: D-Optimal Formulation Optimization for Improved Water Resistance
    Abodunrin Tirmidhi Tijani, Tawakalt Ayodele, Taofeek Mukaila +4
    Clean TechnologiesPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textMaterials & polymersDOAJ
  2. Rational design of O/W nanoemulsions based on the surfactant dodecyldiglyceryl ether using the normalized HLD concept and the formulation-composition map
    Lucie Delforce, Jesús Ontiveros, Véronique Nardello-Rataj +1
    Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering AspectsPeer-reviewedLicence not stated12 citedOrganic chemistryHAL
  3. Predicting Synergistic and Antagonistic Micellization Effects in Surfactant Blends for Optimized Formulation Design.
    Sofía González-Núñez, Carlos Amador, Mariano Martín
    Journal of chemical information and modelingPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textOrganic chemistryEurope PMC
  4. Development and Evaluation of a Novel Zwitterionic Surfactant-Based Foaming Formulation for Gas Well Deliquification.
    Sanbao Dong, Yao Yan, Haifeng Liu +4
    Gels (Basel, Switzerland)Peer-reviewedCC BYFull textOrganic chemistryEurope PMC
  5. Chemical Generalization Boundaries in Fire-Extinction Prediction from a Public Surfactant Formulation Database
    Aris Tsai
    ChemRxivPreprintCC BYFull textMaterials & polymersChemRxiv

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yedikaya2026replacing,
  title = {{Replacing Emulsifiers with Gelation: A Surfactant-Free Approach to Emulgel Formulation Using Polyvinyl Alcohol}},
  author = {Ömer Yedikaya and Aleyna Başar and Ahmet Doğan Ergin},
  journal = {Journal of Oleo Science},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.5650/jos.ess26085},
  url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/75/10/75_jos.ess26085/_article},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Replacing Emulsifiers with Gelation: A Surfactant-Free Approach to Emulgel Formulation Using Polyvinyl Alcohol
AU  - Ömer Yedikaya
AU  - Aleyna Başar
AU  - Ahmet Doğan Ergin
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/07
JO  - Journal of Oleo Science
DO  - 10.5650/jos.ess26085
UR  - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/75/10/75_jos.ess26085/_article
AB  - Conventional emulgels require emulsifiers to stabilize oil and water, which may cause skin irritation and complicate formulations. This study aimed to develop a surfactant-free emulgel using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as both gelling and stabilizing agent. METHODS: factorial design evaluated the effects of PVA concentrations (2 %, 4 %, 10 %) and olive oil ratios (10 %, 20 %, 40 %) on emulgel properties. Nine formulations were prepared via freeze-thaw gelation and homogenization. They were analyzed for pH, viscosity, particle size, and zeta potential. The optimized formulation was further assessed through spreadability, Texture Profile Analysis (TPA), rheological tests, and in vitro occlusion studies. RESULTS: All formulations showed skin-compatible pH and viscosity. Higher PVA increased viscosity and network strength, while olive oil influenced droplet size and viscosity. The optimized formulation (4 % PVA, 20 % olive oil) exhibited favorable rheology, texture, and spreadability. Occlusion studies showed a moderate occlusion factor of 62.69 ± 7.95 %, lower than petrolatum (89.26 ± 3.19 %) but higher than control (0 %), indicating formation of a thin semi-occlusive film that reduced transepidermal water loss and promoted hydration. CONCLUSIONS: Surfactant-free emulgels using PVA can be successfully formulated. The moderate occlusion effect highlights their potential in dermal and cosmetic applications as biocompatible, stable, and patient-friendly systems.
SN  - 1347-3352
SN  - 1345-8957
ER  -