stumped on shampoo thickness

Formulating

stumped on shampoo thickness

Posted by Henry on June 15, 2021 at 6:36 pm

trying to make a sulfate free conditioning shampoo.. I can not get this to thicken to 7,00-10,000 cps. I know this is based on Ph I can’t anything to work… any suggestions…

water 61%
Polyquaternium-10-0.5%
PG-3%
Cetrimonium Chloride- 1%
capb-5%
Cocamide MIPA-2%
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate=3.00%
cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultain-7%
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate -15.50%
chelating agent-0.25%
citric acid 0.50%
euxyl 9010-1.00%

ngarayeva001 replied 3 years, 5 months ago 8 Members · 10 Replies
10 Replies

Paprik

Member
June 15, 2021 at 6:58 pm

This is not only based on pH.
Taurates should be easily thickened by salt. I don’t see any NaCl in your formula. ?

What you’re trying to reach, is different type/shape of micelles. You are basically reducing the head group size, so it can form cylindrical shape. Those can tangle when mixed and this is what’s building viscosity.

Start to add salt in 0.3-0.5% increments, mix thoroughly and see what’s happening. Once you reach your desired viscosity, stop adding salt, record the amount and re-do the sample with updated formula. (If you would add too much salt, micelles could turn into bilayer and this would turn your product water thin again)

Hope that helps.
ozgirl

Member
June 17, 2021 at 2:33 am

Try reducing the Propylene Glycol or removing it as this can reduce viscosity.

Also Cetrimonium Chloride is generally not recommended with anionic surfactants and may also be causing some issues. You already have polyquat 10 so probably don’t need this.
Henry

Member
June 18, 2021 at 4:41 pm

@Paprik this has to be a salt free formulation. Otherwise I know salt is my best friend.
Paprik

Member
June 18, 2021 at 11:42 pm

You will need to use gum a polymer to thicken your product then. I don’t think there is another solution, unless you are really lucky with the pH (perfect combination of surfactants).
Aziz

Member
June 21, 2021 at 2:48 am

Henry said:

@Paprik this has to be a salt free formulation. Otherwise I know salt is my best friend.

You can try HPMC .
David

Member
June 22, 2021 at 8:26 pm

@Henry capb already contains salt. Probably cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine too. Check the CoA
hobbiz

Member
June 23, 2021 at 3:54 pm

IMO, the Cetrimonium Chloride thinned out your shampoo. Leave it out and try adding 0.5-1% salt.
Abdullah

Member
June 24, 2021 at 1:04 pm

Is it %15.5 powder AOS or liquid?
How is the foam of it?
Does it make clear Shampoo or opaque?

I am recently working on it and salt decreases the viscosity.
Henry

Member
June 24, 2021 at 5:49 pm

this is a salt free formulation
it is opaque.
AOS is a liquid.
using thickners..
ngarayeva001

Member
June 26, 2021 at 6:03 am

Definitely remove CTAC. Try PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate, methyl gluceth-10 blend, PEG-150 distearate or crothix liquid.