BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HBL) "Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HBL). A numerical expression of the ratio of hydrophilic or ""water-loving"" groups to the lipophilic or ""fat-loving"" groups in the molecule of surfactants (q.v.) that govern their degree of miscibility in aqueous and oil systems."