An emulsifier composition for skin care formulations, which is present in the form of a bilayer lamellar gel network, which is stable up to a temperature of about 50 DEG C., comprising by weight, about 3-40% of a high HLB swellant which is lecithin, and a blend of low HLB emulsifier gellants, to 100%, the blend of gellants having a resultant HLB of about 1.5 to about 5. In a skin care formulation, the lamellar gel network forms a discrete third phase between the oil and water phases.