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CETAC 30% Causing Irritation!
I noticed that whenever I include CETAC 30% in my conditioner formulation it seems to sting a bit as I rinse my hair. It’s feels like little pinches on my face here and there. I get no blotches or anything on my face or body after, but it’s just really irritating and I would rather not have that.
My question is:Is CETAC 30% too much at 1.5% in a deep conditioner formulation?
These are the other ingredients in the formulation:Honeyquat
C13-15 alkane
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Panthenol
Glycerin
Aloe Vera Juice
Btms
Stearyl alcoholCould any of these ingredients be causing the the reaction with the CETAC 30%?
Many thanks,
Sasse
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6 Replies
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I am also using Optiphen plus as a preservative at 1%
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I don’t think it’s too much, it’s probably too little.
What is the product’s pH?
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Hello alchemist01, thanks for replying!
The most recent one I formulated was a 3.45. I thought it was a bit low. -
I think that pH is a little low for a conditioner. I have no idea if that’s the issue, but it should be a quick adjustment to try. I would try and bring it closer to 4-5, but that’s a personal range. For a rinse-off conditioner cetrimonium chloride is usually more like 2-3% active. If you feel your product works well you can leave it as is (maybe whatever your honeyquat % is makes up for it), or change it once you resolve the stinging.
Maybe someone with more experience than I can pick out incompatibilities with your LOI, but if none of that helps you should just try cutting out ingredients one by one to pinpoint the issue.
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What’s your BTMS level? It can also be irritating. You could also try upping your stearyl alcohol percentage, as fatty acids are known to reduce the irritation potential of cationic surfactants.
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Thank you all for the comments, and sorry for the late reply.
@alchemist01 I might just have to let go of the CETAC and up my Honeyquat levels as suggested. I’m not familiar with how to increase pH, only how to lower.@LincsChemist I am using 5% Btms and 3% stearyl alcohol.
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