How to thicken a shampoo formulation and maintain excellent performance

Formulating

How to thicken a shampoo formulation and maintain excellent performance

Posted by Leo on September 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm

How do you thicken a shampoo formulation that will allow it to be non-drying or sticky on the hair without the use of salt or guar gum, etc.?

Abdullah replied 3 years, 4 months ago 6 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

OldPerry

Professional Chemist / Formulator
September 21, 2021 at 5:27 pm

You’ll need to list the ingredients in the shampoo formula to get any helpful response. But Salt does not dry the hair.
Leo

Member
September 21, 2021 at 10:26 pm

@ Perry -Ingredients below in ranked order (after water):

ISELUX ULTRA MILD: Water & Sodium Methyl Isethionate & Cocamidopropyl Betaine &
Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate & Lauryl Glucoside & Coco-Glucoside

CARBOPOL AQUA SF-1
POLYMER: Acrylates Copolymer

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Cocamide DEA

GRANSOFT INTENSE-PCA: Dimethicone & PCA Dimethicone Crosspolymer & Water &
Butylene Glycol & Polysorbate 20

Glyceryl Caprylate & Glyceryl Undecylenate

Fragrance

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
kconley

Member
September 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

Does also apply to body cleansers?
Stanley

Member
September 29, 2021 at 6:25 am

You can increase the percentage of Aqua sf. You might need a base (AMP / NaOH/TEA) to activate this.

CAPB would definitely thicken in the presence of salt.
em88

Pharmacist
September 29, 2021 at 8:15 am

Why did you add cocamide dea?
As Stanley said. Carbopol aqua sf-1 should do the trick. What viscosity do you need?
Abdullah

Entrepreneur
September 29, 2021 at 9:26 am

Percentage
Leo

Member
October 2, 2021 at 5:33 pm

@em88 @Abdullah @ Stanley

Cocamide DEA (1.5%) was added as a foaming agent. Is there a better foaming agent to use as a substitute?

RE: Carbopol aqua SF-1 (3%), will and increase in the amount require more base?

Any comments on the use of Betaine (trimethyl glycine) to thicken?
Abdullah

Entrepreneur
October 3, 2021 at 1:16 am

Write the percentage of all ingredients so we know what the problem is.

ISELUX ULTRA MILD at 30% will increase the viscosity with salt. ingredients in this blend are good foaming agents. You dont need to add any more.