EVAPORATION FROM A COMPLEX EMULSION SYSTEM

The phase equilibria were analyzed in a typical skin lotion system of water, decane, triethanolamine, and isostearic acid, and the evaporati on rate was determined. The system showed two isotropic solutions, one of decane/isostearic acid, and a water/triethanolamine combination. I n addition, a large region of lamellar liquid crystal phase was found plus a small region of liquid crystal that consisted of close-packed c ylinders. Evaporation of water and decane initially led to a transfer of triethanolamine from the aqueous solution to the decane/isostearic acid solution. With sufficient depletion of water and decane, a three- phase region was entered with the third phase, the lamellar liquid cry stal.