Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating How to thicken a shampoo formulation and maintain excellent performance

  • 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 2 years, 5 months ago 6 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • oldperry

    Member
    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

    Member
    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

    Member
    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

    Member
    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.

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