Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Understanding how to Formulate with Surfactants

  • Understanding how to Formulate with Surfactants

    Posted by Heath0o7 on May 7, 2024 at 10:00 pm

    Hi all,

    I’m still fairly new at this and I have a couple of questions I was hoping I could get help with:

    1. If you wanted to use 2 or 3 different surfactants when you’re making say a shampoo/body wash/face wash. How do you assign each surfactant their ASM?

    2. Can you use 2 anionic surfactants plus an amphoteric or non-ionic when formulating?

    Heath0o7 replied 5 months, 1 week ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • fareloz

    Member
    May 8, 2024 at 2:30 am

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjrRxDr30gw

    2. Yes, companies always do this. Let’s take a look at classic Head & Shoulders shampoo:

    INCI: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Piroctone Olamine, Parfum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Limonene, Polyquaternium-10, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Verbena Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Triacetin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, CI 17200, CI 19140

    Sodium Laureth Sulfate - anionic

    Sodium Xylenesulfonate - anionic

    Cocamide MEA - non-ionic

    Cocamidopropyl Betaine - amphoteric

  • Perry44

    Administrator
    May 8, 2024 at 12:48 pm

    As to how much of a ratio you use between surfactants, that is just a matter of experimentation. You want to balance performance with gentleness and cost. The ratio / amount is different with different formulas.

    • Heath0o7

      Member
      May 8, 2024 at 2:48 pm

      I see. If both of my surfactants are mild/gentle, do I just focus on finding a ratio that results in good performance I’d imagine?

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