Foam Soap Formulation for Eye Area: Foaming Agents, Thickeners, and Makeup Removal

Question

I am developing a foam soap formulation for the eye area, intended for a foam pump bottle. The current ingredients include Decyl Glucoside, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, and Panthenol. Which foaming agent should I use: BabyFoam (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) or AminoWash (Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate)? Which thickener should I use for this foam soap: SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate) or EasyThick? I also want the product to remove makeup. Can nourishing ingredients or ingredients to reduce dark circles be added to this wash-off product?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Regarding your foam soap formulation for the eye area using a foam pump bottle with Decyl Glucoside, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, and Panthenol:

Foaming Agent (BabyFoam vs. AminoWash):
- AminoWash (Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate) provides better cleaning power than BabyFoam (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate).
- Both provide similar foam levels.
- AminoWash is more expensive.
- Decyl Glucoside already provides a certain level of cleaning.
- Choose AminoWash if the cleaning power from Decyl Glucoside is insufficient for your needs, especially for makeup removal. Choose BabyFoam if Decyl Glucoside's cleaning is sufficient and you primarily need an ingredient to boost foam.
Thickener (SugarThick vs. EasyThick):
- Both SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate) and EasyThick can be used. The staff did not indicate a preference or difference in function for this specific application based on the provided text.
For Makeup Removal:
- To improve makeup removal capability, you can add MakeUp-Wash (PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides) at 2-3% to the formula.
For Nourishment or Reducing Dark Circles:
- Wash-off products are generally not suitable for adding skin-nourishing ingredients as they are rinsed off immediately, providing minimal benefit.
- Ingredients from the skin/hair conditioning category (which are often cationic) might adhere to the skin better and provide some residual effect, but typical nourishing ingredients for dark circles are not recommended in a wash-off format.