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Tear-free Shampoo Materials
I’m interested in making a tear-free shampoo. I understand that the pH should be close to 7 because it matches the pH of the eyes. Also, it helps if the majority of the shampoo is composed of water to achieve that pH and reduce the probability of irritability. However, are there any chemicals whether specific or general categories of functional groups like alcohols that I should avoid? I’m thinking about water, SLS, SLES, Coca MEA, NaCl and glycerin as potential ingredients. In other words, I’m asking what type of chemicals causes tears?
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3 Replies
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anything which can cause irritation to the eye - in other words, nearly everything!
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You are missing the point. A Tear Free product is generally made with Amphoteric surfactants. This is the primary factor. pH and avoiding sensitizing materials such as fragrances are secondary.
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It used to be said that tear-free shampoos were formulated with benzyl alcohol as preservative. The preservative properties were incidental to its real purpose of acting as a local anaesthetic on the eye.
Anyway, that is by-the-bye.
A look at the ingrdient listing of a well known baby shampoo will take you a long way in formulating something similar.
Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo declares:
Aqua,Coco-Glucoside,Sodium Lauroamphoacetate,Sodium Laureth
Sulfate,Citric Acid,Polysorbate 20,Peg-80 Sorbitan Laurate,Peg-150
Distearate,Sodium Chloride,Polyquaternium-10,Sodium Benzoate,Parfum,CI
15985,CI 47005
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