Abstract: A method of increasing viscosity of a pharmaceutical formulation for oral or topical administration comprises the steps of combining: a. an effective amount of one or more hydrophobic active ingredients; b. 5 to 50% of one or more compounds selected from polyglycerol esters of fatty acids of formula (1) CH2OR—CHOR—CH20-[CH2CHOR—CH2O—]NCH2—CHOR—CH2OR??(1) wherein n is an integer from 4 to 13 and R is H or CO.R? wherein R? is C8-22 saturated, unsaturated or hydroxylated alkyl and wherein at least one group R is not hydrogen; c. 5 to 50% of one or more compounds selected from polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids of formula (2) CH2OR—CHOR—CH20-[CH2CHOR—CH2O]NCH2—CHOR—CH2OR??(2) wherein n is an integer from 0 to 10 and R?H or CO.R? wherein R? is C8-22 saturated, unsaturated or hydroxylated alkyl, and wherein while at least one group R is not hydrogen; d.