Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Viscosity Controlling
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
Tallow (rendered animal fat) has been used for centuries in soap and candle production. Hydrogenated talloweth compounds were developed in the 20th century as emulsifiers and conditioning agents in cosmetics, replacing some natural oil-based emulsifiers with more stable, shelf-stable alternatives.