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  • Cream Shampoo Is Expanding in Bottle

    Posted by Marenick on June 13, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    Hi Everyone - I have been reading Chemists Corner for years but this is my first post.  I’m hoping some of the great minds in here can help me figure this out.

    I have a cream based shampoo formula that is expanding in the bottle to the point where the the bottom of the bottle actually becomes curved.  I use this same formula for another cream based shampoo that has Salicylic Acid in it and I don’t have this problem.  Can anyone tell me what is going on and how I can stop this reaction from occurring? 

    Formula Below

    Thanks,
    Mike

    CREAM SHAMPOO
    1 Water 43.2
    1 Methylparaben 0.25

    2 Ethylene Glycol Monostearate 4.00
    2 Propyel Paraben 0.10
    2 Procol CS-20 Ceteareth Alcohol 4.00

    2A Egg Powder 1.00

    3 Propylene Glycol 0.85
    3 Xanthan Gum 0.40

    4 Soduium Lauryl Ethel Sulfate  SLES 30.00

    5 Cocomidalpropylbetaine 15.00
    5 PolyQuat 7 0.40
    5 Triethanolamine 0.30
    5 Peppermint Oil 0.25
    5 Lemongrass 0.25
    METHOD
    Heat phase 1,2 to 65c
    Prior to combining phases add 2A to 2 and stir till clumps are removed - then combine.
    Cool to 45c and add phase 3
    After thickening add phase 4
    Combine all phase 5 and add to batch.
    OldPerry replied 1 year, 11 months ago 5 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • PhilGeis

    Member
    June 13, 2022 at 3:29 pm

    Suspect microbial contamination.  Just parabens are not that great for shampoos.

  • Marenick

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    Hi Phil - can you suggest a better preservative for a shampoo like this?

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    Sure - I’m ignorant of your policy or pursuit of alternatives or “naturals”  but the best is chloromethyl isothiazolinone/benzoate/EDTA.  Do you have preservative testing capacity or budget?

    Is this product intended for commercial sale or for personal use?

  • Marenick

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    I will be doing preservative testing.  I just did a few lab batches based on my other formulations that have passed testing.  

    Thank you for that recommendation.  I am going to test Euxyl® PE 9010 since I have this in stock.  Do you have any thoughts on this working as a preservative for this formulation?

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    9010 is ok - if it works.  Some shampoos screw it up. 
    The primary micro issue for shampoos is due to Gram negative bacteria and those are the target of phenoxy and its EHG booster. Don’t buy its “broad spectrum” marketing BS.
    Think a chelator (EDTA or phytate) Na benzoate would be good additions.

  • Abdullah

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    Dont waste your money by adding parabens in shampoo.

  • Marenick

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    Got it - Thank you Phil!

  • evchem2

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 3:46 pm

    I’d second Phil’s point- and can you clarify what exactly is ‘egg powder’

  • OldPerry

    Member
    June 14, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    @evchem2 - I think it is probably “bacteria food”  :smiley:

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