[Dragonturtle]

ketchito said:

@ajw000 It’s ok to have a pH a bit higher than that of the skin…but just a bit. It helps anionic surfactants to perform better. 

You could use Sodium citrate as a chelator (just keep in mind that it’s actually a weak one), or use Citric acid and then add NaOH.

You don’t need to replace completely the Isethionate. Actually, I remember it’s stable in a pH range of 6-8, else it’d hydrolyze, and maybe that’s what’s happening, so you definitely need to raise you pH a bit.

Try this, and if the gain is not too much, you could replace a bit for another anionic that foams better, or even adding a zwitterionic like Cocamidopropylbetaine.  

Cocamidopropyl betaine is great. I use it in all my shampoo bars to get a good lather and seems to be pretty gentle on skin too.

[Dragonturtle]

Hello everyone!

I’m Amanda and I am from Missouri, USA. I make hair and skin products as a hobby. I do not have any background in chemistry. I went to school for literature. lol.

I started experimenting with making my own shampoo and soap a little over a year ago because I both am cheap and wanted to be more self-sufficient. It has been a whole lot of fun. I’ve even started using some of the herbs from my garden for scent purposes.

Anyway thanks for letting me join and it’s nice to find a place to talk to other people about this stuff.  :smiley:

[Dragonturtle]

@Thota Thanks! I’ll definitely give that a try. 🙂  

[Dragonturtle]

Thank you for responding. :smiley: To answer your question it could be a little foamier. Friends have told me it can be a little hard to get going and maybe a little more drying for me personally.