Ethylcellulose oleogel lip glosses: the effects of different emollients and pigments on rheology and textural properties

Ethylcellulose (EC) is an organogelator that forms stable oleogels with castor oil (CO). This work aimed to investigate the effects that different emollients and pigments have on the physical properties of EC oleogels for lip gloss applications. Oleogels and lip glosses were tested via shear rate sweep and oscillatory stress sweep. Their textural properties were also tested. Stable, shear-thinning oleogels were obtained. Higher concentrations of CO resulted in higher viscosity and rigidity, and lower elasticity. Lip glosses had similar viscosity and higher rigidity compared to their respective oleogels. Favourable textural properties were obtained only at lower concentrations of CO (~30%). The chemical properties of oils affected the rheological and textural properties of EC oleogels and lip glosses. The physical properties of EC and CO oleogels have shown great potential in lip gloss applications.