Understanding Cloudiness in Your Cleansing Water Formulation

The cloudiness you are observing in your mineral cleansing water formulation is likely due to the interaction between the surfactant (PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate) and the minerals present in the mineral water. Surfactants can react with ions in hard or mineral water, leading to reduced solubility and causing the solution to appear cloudy or hazy.

Here's a breakdown of your ingredients and their roles:

• PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (5%): This acts as a gentle cleansing agent and provides a soft feel to the skin. While it is water-soluble, its interaction with minerals in the water is a common cause of cloudiness in formulations like this.
• Butylene Glycol (20%): This functions as a solvent and humectant, helping to dissolve ingredients and attract moisture to the skin. Your concentration is within the typical usage range.
• Phenoxyethanol (1%): This is used as a preservative to prevent microbial growth. Your concentration is within the recommended usage range.
• Mineral Water (74%): Unlike purified or de-ionized water, mineral water contains various dissolved salts and minerals. These minerals are the most probable cause of the cloudiness when combined with the PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate.

To achieve a clear cleansing water like those found commercially, the most effective solution is to replace the mineral water with purified water or de-ionized water. Purified water has had the minerals removed, preventing the reaction that causes cloudiness.

If you specifically wish to use mineral water, you might need to incorporate a suitable solubilizer into your formula to help maintain clarity, but using purified water is the simplest and most direct way to resolve the cloudiness issue.