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Hydrotrope Alternatives
I am using Danox HC-30 to make a Solid Conditioner.
It is recommended that a hydrotrope (sodium xylene sulfonate) be used if the concentration of Danox HC-30 is more than 12%. Currently I am experimenting with 30-40%.
My questions,
Is there any natural alternative hydrotrope available from online supplier that I can use in replace of sodium xylene sulfonate?
or what else can I use that is easily available at small quantity? Would an electrolyte work?TIA.
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8 Replies
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@hubahubister Propylene glycol has also some hydrotropic properties, of course, not as potent as SXS, but it’s worth to try.
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How about potassium caprate/caprylate?
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biofm said:How about potassium caprate/caprylate?
@biofm I’ve tried to find both Potassium Caprylate and Potassium Caprylate/Caprate and so far, no where to be found in small quantity, since I am testing out.
ketchito said:@hubahubister Propylene glycol has also some hydrotropic properties, of course, not as potent as SXS, but it’s worth to try.I will definitely give this a try. Thanks.
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What quantities of the caprylate, caprate or both would work for your trials?
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Well known ‘hydrotropes’ (a really silly term of undefined meaning or rather everyone thinks of it differently) which are more on the natural side and don’t give the same impression of household cleaning products as sodium xylene and cumene sulfonates include urea, niacinamide, sodium benzoate and sodium salicylate.However, I don’t know why a ‘hydrotrope’ is recommended… if it’s only for increased transparency of the product, you may as well just go with a turbid conditioner or try some workarounds like perlising or colouring agents to mask the ‘defect’.Propylene glycol is not a ‘hydrotrope’ in the same sense as sodium xylene sulfonate is and should better be described as solubiliser or solvent. However, adding sufficient amounts may turn your product gooey or even liquid. By ‘proper’ definition, hydrotropes are commonly added in excess of the sparingly soluble compound to be dissolved in the corresponding liquid. Given that you don’t have a liquid but a solid and 30-40% ‘insolute’… ??? -
@Pharma thank you for responding. The suggestion to use hydrotrope is to improve solubilization. My formula contain approximately +/-20% water /water soluble ingredients.
I noticed some liquid droplets in the conditioner bar with Danox HC-30 which I did not see in other conditioner bars such as with Emulsense HC, Varisoft EQ.
This liquid droplets will also be an issue when it comes to packaging in a box.I’ve never worked with hydrotrope before, so this is something very new to me.
biofm said:What quantities of the caprylate, caprate or both would work for your trials?I have no idea how much is needed in a formula as I’ve never work with it before. If there is not much of alternative, I will go ahead with sodium xylene sulfonate.
I have tested with both propylene glycol and SXS (40%). Both at 2% and after 24 hours, no liquid stain coming out from the PG but with SXS, the bar still has some liquid out. With 2% PG, it does lower the setting temp slightly. I’ll be experimenting with different % and see how they perform.
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I don’t think that the guidelines for hydrotrope usage are relevant when using it in a solid conditioner.The starting formulations for this product in a solid conditioner use around 65% Danox HC 30 and 15% cetearyl alcohol with shea butter and other emollient additives.20% of water soluble ingredients seems very high for a solid conditioner. I would try reducing these. -
@ozgirl Yes, I have seen the 3 Danox formulas mentioned. I just want to experiment beyond the basic sample formulas.
I definitely experiment further. Thanks
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