Water-removable emulsion base, hydrophilic

Water-removable bases are basically oil-in-water emulsions. Unlike hydrocarbon and absorption bases, a large proportion of aqueous phase can be incorporated into water-removable bases with the aid of suitable emulsifying agents. It is easy to remove these bases from the skin due to their hydrophilic nature. Hydrophilic ointment USP is an example of a water-removable ointment base. 

When you use soap to remove grease from dirty dishes, the soap forms an emulsion with the grease that is easily removed by water through interaction with the hydrophilic head of the soap molecules. Likewise, a detergent can be used to emulsify spilled oil for removal by water. And emulsifiers in commercial salad dressings keep the oil suspended evenly throughout the water-based mixture. 

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