| What is it? | Olivem® 300 is a water-soluble lipid (fat) that softens skin and adds richness to our products. |
| INCI | Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters |
| Appearance | Pale yellow liquid |
| Usage rate | 1–84% |
| Texture | Lightweight oil-like liquid |
| Scent | Nothing strong; a bit oil-like |
| pH | 5–7 (5% solution) |
| Solubility | Water & oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | In watery concoctions like room sprays, body sprays, and hand washes Olivem 300 will self-disperse so you can easily include a bit of oil, making surfactant products gentler and mists more moisturizing. It can also help solubilize essential oils and fragrance oils.
In oil-based products like cleansing oils and cleansing balms Olivem 300 adds cleansing power and boosts rinse-off. I’ll often include it in body oils or after-bath oils because it means the body oil will self-emulsify with any water on the skin during application, but unlike a polysorbate it isn’t sticky and still has a lovely skin feel. |
| Do you need it? | It isn’t essential, but I enjoy having it around and using it. |
| Strengths | It’s an easy way to incorporate a bit of oil into otherwise watery concoctions. |
| Weaknesses | It can be hard to find in some parts of the world. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Check out this page to learn more about making solubilizer substitutions. Water soluble shea butter (PEG-50 Shea Butter) would be a fairly simple alternative.
You cannot Olivem 300 instead of a complete emulsifying wax, and you cannot use a complete emulsifying wax in place of Olivem 300. You cannot use a liquid surfactant in place of Olivem 300, and Olivem 300 is not a good alternative for a liquid surfactant. You cannot use other members of the Olivem family, like Olivem 1000, in place of Olivem 300. |
| How to Work with It | Mix the Olivem 300 with the oil phase before gently whisking it into the water phase. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Olivem 300 should last at least 3 years. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | It can cause some foaming in your products but it isn’t a surfactant and cannot be used in place of surfactants in recipes. |
| Recommended starter amount | 100mL (3.3fl oz) |
| Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
Some Formulations that Use Olivem 300
- Silk & Shine Shampoo
- Sweetgrass Conditioning Hair Gel Serum
- Rosé Shimmer Body Oil
- Sugar Plum Body Oil
- Rose Silk Hydrating Sheet Mask
- Oatmeal & Milk After Shower Oil
- Eucalyptus Mint Hand Wash
- Gentle Calendula Cleansing Oil
- Hydrating Rose Water Facial Toner
- Luminous Summer Body Oil
- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
- Hydrating Summer Facial and Body Mist
- Green Tea Cleansing Oil
- Grapefruit Deep Cleansing Oil
- London Fog Bath Salts
