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Reference Guide to HLB Values of Common Emulsifiers

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What Is HLB System and Why Is It Important?

The HLB system is a numerical scale developed by William Griffin in the 1940s to classify emulsifiers based on their balance between hydrophilic (water-attracting) and lipophilic (oil-attracting) properties.

This balance, typically represented on a scale from 0 to 20, determines the surfactant's emulsifying capabilities. Emulsifiers with lower HLB values exhibit more lipophilic characteristics, making them suitable for water-in-oil emulsions, while those with higher HLB values display greater hydrophilicity, making them apt for oil-in-water emulsions.

reference-guide-to-hlb-values-of-common-emulsifiers An illustration of HLB Scale. [1]

Given the wide variety of surfactants available in today's specialty chemicals market, formulators need efficient tools to narrow down their choices. The HLB system is one of the most practical and effective tools. The following table lists the HLB values of some commonly used emulsifiers for reference only.

HLB Values of Common Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers	HLB Values	Emulsifiers	HLB Values
Glycol Distearate	1	Polysorbate 85	11
Sorbitan Trioleate	1.8	PEG-7 Olivate	11
Propylene Glycol lsostearate	2.5	Ceteary Glucoside	11
Glycol Stearate	2.9	PEG-8 Oleate	11.6
Sorbitan Sesquioleate	3.7	Polyglyceryl-3 Methyglucose Distearate	12
Glyceryl Stearate	3.8	Oleth-10	12.4
Lecithin	4	Oleth-10 / Polvoxvl 10 Oleyl Ether NF	12.4
Sorbitan Oleate	4.3	Ceteth-10	12.9
Sorbitan Monostearate NF	4.7	PEG-8 Laurate	13
Sorbitan Stearate	4.7	Cocamide MEA	13.5
Sorbitan Isostearate	4.7	Polysorbate 60 NF	14.9
Steareth-2	4.9	Polysorbate 60	14.9
Oleth-2	4.9	Polysorbate 80	15
Glyceryl Laurate	5.2	Isosteareth-20	15
Ceteth-2	5.3	PEG-60 Amond Glvcerides	15
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate	5.5	Polysorbate 80 NF	15
Glyceryl Stearate SE	5.8	PEG-20 Methy Glucose Sesquistearate	15
Sorbitan Stearate (and) Sucrose Cocoate	6	Ceteareth-20	15.2
PEG-4 Dilaurate	6	Oleth-20	15.3
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate	6.6	Steareth-20	15.3
Lecithin	variable	Steareth-21	15.5
PEG-8 Dioleate	8	Ceteth-20	15.7
Sorbitan Laurate	8.6	Isoceteth-20	15.7
PEG-40 Sorbitan Peroleate	9	Polysorbate 20	16.7
Laureth-4	9.7	Polysorbate 20 NF	16.7
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate	10	Laureth-23	16.9
PEG-20 Almond Glycerides	10	PEG-100 Stearate	18.8
PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil	10.8	Steareth-100	18.8
Stearamide MEA	11	PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate	19.1
Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate	11

How to Choose Emulsifier Based on HLB System?

Choosing an emulsifier according to the Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) system involves considering the HLB values of both the oil phase and water phase in the emulsion you are creating.

Determine the HLB value of the oil phase

reference-guide-to-hlb-values-of-common-emulsifiers

Different oils have different HLB requirements for effective emulsification. For example, a low HLB value (3-6) is suitable for creating oil-in-water emulsions with oils that are more hydrophobic, while a higher HLB value (8-18) is needed for water-in-oil emulsions with oils that are more hydrophilic.

Determine the HLB value of the water phase

The HLB value of the water phase (including any water-soluble additives) also needs to be considered. For instance, this could include any surfactants or co-emulsifiers that contribute to the overall HLB requirement of the water phase.

Calculate the required HLB value for the emulsifier

Once you have the HLB values for the oil and water phases, you can calculate the required HLB value for the emulsifier using various HLB calculation methods or charts.

Select an emulsifier with the appropriate HLB value

Choose an emulsifier with an HLB value that matches or is close to the calculated required HLB value. Emulsifiers with a range of HLB values are often used to achieve the desired stability and characteristics of the emulsion.

Learn more about selecting emulsifiers based on HLB systems.

Reference

W Vikrant, et al. Journal of Chemistry, 2018, 2319-9849.

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