Why Cetaphils cleanser has higher viscosity than mine?

Formulating

Why Cetaphils cleanser has higher viscosity than mine?

Posted by Abdullah on November 12, 2024 at 9:23 am

This is ingredients list of an old Cetaphil cleanser

Water, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol,butyl, propyl,methyl parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol.

It has ≤1% SLS.

This is my formula

Water

Cetearyl alcohol 5%

SLS 1%

Citric acid 0.8%

CMI MI 0.02%

Formalin 0.02%

Fragrance 0.01%

pH 6

Method

.Add SLS to 45% hot water

.add citric acid to reduce pH to 6

. Add melted cetearyl alcohol

. Homogenize for 5 minutes

. Add 50% cold water while mixing to reduce temperature below 40c.

.add preservatives and fragrance.

My product is more white than Cetaphil product and i think i use more cetearyl alcohol and SLS than them but their product has higher viscosity than mine. Why their product has higher viscosity than mine?

Abdullah replied 1 day, 3 hours ago 3 Members · 9 Replies
9 Replies

Aniela

Member
November 15, 2024 at 4:19 am

Hi,

Not sure how this helps but the ingredients are listed in this order: Water, Cetyl alcohol, Propylene glycol, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Stearyl alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, thus SLS might be/is at >1%.
- Abdullah
  
  Member
  November 16, 2024 at 8:36 pm
  
  Thanks
  
  Where is it written like this?
  
  I saw a picture of product itself and in label it is written the way i wrote it.
  - Aniela
    
    Member
    November 17, 2024 at 6:52 am
    
    Here https://incidecoder.com/products/cetaphil-cleansing-milk and here https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/cetaphil-gentle-skin-facial-cleanser-old-formula
    
    Maybe not your “go-to” sources, but to me, it makes more sense their lists.
    - Abdullah
      
      Member
      November 17, 2024 at 10:20 am
      
      Screenshot_2024-11-17-20-48-58-37_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 539 KB Image File - Click to view
      
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      - Aniela
        
        Member
        November 17, 2024 at 11:49 am
        
        I think your list is right (proof that my common sense can be wrong😳), as the new version lists the SCI in the <1% section- Aqua, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Pantolactone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid.
ketchito

Member
November 18, 2024 at 7:23 am

Keep in mind that they’re are using way more cetyl than stearyl alcohol. That can influence final viscosity.

Also, this might be a bit counterintuitive, but try with a bit less of SLS.
- Abdullah
  
  Member
  November 18, 2024 at 8:14 pm
  
  I made a version with 0.5% SLS and it had less viscosity.
  
  My product with 5% fatty alcohol is completely white while there product wasn’t that white at all. More fatty alcohol makes it more white right?
ketchito

Member
November 19, 2024 at 7:07 am

The key there for the not completely solid white color is propylene glycol.
- Abdullah
  
  Member
  November 20, 2024 at 10:14 am
  
  Good point
  
  Thanks