• Formulating

  Effect of PEG40 hydrogenated castor oil on thickening of shower gel formulation

  Posted by Anonymous on March 7, 2019 at 2:29 pm

  Hi there, 

  Would really appreciate some insight on the following…

  Formulating a shower gel with sodium coco sulphate and lauryl glucoside as the surfactants. Total active matter = 14%.

  Also have some oils and perfume in the formulation (total 2.4%). Formulation is not clear when made up so I was concerned about stability so wanted to try adding a solubiliser.
  Mixed the oils with 2% PEG 40 Hydrogenated castor oil and added to the  surfactant/water mix.
  However, this mix did not thicken with salt (the one without the PEG40 hydrogenated castor oil did). 
  Is it normal for PEG40 HCO to reduce the thickening ability of the salt? 
  Also in the formulation is aloe vera powder 200x (0.05%).

  Method:
  Heat water and sodium coco sulphate to 40 degrees C.
  Add lauryl glucoside.

  Heat PEG 40 HCO until liquid and add oils. Mix and add to previous phase.
  Add aloe vera powder.
  Add preservative (benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid).
  Add salt.
  Adjust pH.

  It would be great to get your thoughts! Thanks in advance.

  Gunther replied 5 years, 9 months ago 1 Member · 1 Reply

  • formula development
  • surfactant
  • surfactants
  • viscosity
• 1 Reply

• 

  Gunther

  Member

  March 7, 2019 at 3:19 pm

  I believe the glucoside is the main reason it won’t thicken, and not (or not much) the fragrance and PEG-40 HCG.
  Glucosides are notorious for thinning down formulations.

  Consider replacing coco sulfate with something milder.
  Coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid,
  
  https://www.hebebotanicals.co.nz/sodium-coco-sulfate-another-synthetic-detergent/
  so coco sulfate is about 50% SLS = irritating.

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