Irritancy steric effects

As will be discussed later, one of the main features of effective steric stabilization is strong adsorption (anchoring) of the chains to the interface. This anchoring is produced by the use of polymeric surfactants, the main topic of this chapter. These materials have attracted considerable attention in recent years for stabilization of many o/w and w/o emulsions. Apart from their effectiveness in prevention of flocculation and coalescence of the droplets, they are also expected to cause no skin irritation. The high molecular weight of the surfactants prevents their penetration through the skin and hence they do not cause any disruption of the stratum corneum. 

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