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Adding cationic guar directly to anionic surfactants
Currently for shampoo i add ingredients in this order.
SLES, SLS, citric acid, CAPB, cationic guar and it works fine.
As after adding CAPB product becomes a bit thick and makes mixing a bit slow, i tried to make a sample with CAPB after guar in this order.
SLES, SLS, citric acid, cationic guar, CAPB. I mixed cationic guar directly with anionic surfactants and then added CAPB, this product is also completely stable since past 4 days, doesn’t look any different and foam and hair conditioning is also as good as first one. So no difference.
They say cationic guar should not be added directly to anionic surfactants because of incompatibility but i dont see any problem or incompatibility.
What problem or incompatibility should i be looking for and when will it happen?
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2 Replies
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The main advise is not to mix directly both cationic guar and the anionic surfactant, to prevent forming a coacervate in the mixture rather than during rinsing.
But for me, the main issue with adding it after surfactants is that they prevent the polymer to uncoil and properly hydrate (a portion of an acid is always added to the polymer solution, to speed hydration). This is needed for better interaction of binding sites with surfactants and fully display of viscosity. It’s like trying to make a carpet fit on the floor when all your guests are already in the room…and drunk…and dancing.
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Wouldn’t that extra anionic surfactant solubilize that coacervate?
I am using SLES 70% so i have to add it first in water to dilute it.
I mix my guar with FO and then add it to main tank. What is your opinion on that?
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