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Improving Shampoo Foam
Hi everyone,
I’m a hobbyist who makes DIY cosmetics, primarily for personal use and for a small circle of friends and family. I’ve been making this shampoo formula, and the only consistent feedback I get is that the foaming is lackluster.
I’m wondering if there’s a simple tweak I can make, or if the issue lies with my primary surfactant and I need to consider a different system altogether.
Here is my current formula:
· Water: q.s. to 100%
· Cola®Det COCO (Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine; 60% Active): 25%
· Crothix™ Liquid (PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Aqua, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides; 45% Active): 2.5%
· Quaternium-80 (50% Active): 0.4%
· Fragrance: 0.3%
· Phenonip (Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben): 0.3%
· Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate (50% Active): 0.2%
· Ethylhexylglycerin: 0.1%
Here’s what I’ve already tried:
· Removing the Crothix Liquid.
· Using different fragrances.
· Swapping the Phenonip/Ethylhexylglycerin system for Liquid Germall Plus.
None of these changes made a noticeable difference to the foam quality or volume.
I would appreciate any advice. Thank you in advance!
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4 Replies
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I have taken a different approach to the shampoo that I have produced and exported globally since 2006. In 2024, I retired.
My approach is to saponify coconut oil plus a few other natural oils. This produces a shampoo without synthetics that is very cleansing and with a lot of lather. It was a good seller globally, and I did private label for a few labels globally.
Dr Mike Thair
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Try adding a small amount of CAPB or an amine oxide.
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Do you know the percentage of each surfactant in that blend?
Depending on that adding some CAPB or some SLES may improve foam.
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Thank you for the suggestions! I reduced the surfactant blend from 15% active to 12% and added 3% active CAPB. This thickened the shampoo to the point where I was able to completely remove the crothix liquid, which I believe is due to the sodium content in the CAPB, but I originally struggled to thicken it with a salt solution.
The foam definitely improved with this modification, but it is still not at the level of commercial shampoos from big brands, specifically when used on the body. I assume this is a limitation of using the surfactant blend, and I cannot find information on the percentage of each surfactant in that blend.
Nonetheless, I am grateful for the support and the improvement this modification imparted on my shampoo!
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