Formulating Gentle Foam Dry Shampoo for Adults and Babies

Question

I would like advice on formulating a non-rinse foam dry shampoo that includes hair conditioner to make hair soft, tangle-free, and long-lasting fragrance. It should be used for cleaning hair without needing water rinse-off, suitable for both children and adults, gentle, and non-irritating for sensitive infant scalps. I have seen the ingredient list for Pigeon Dry Shampoo which is:
Water, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/706-alcohol-%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AE%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C.html:3ntuhaf3]ethanol[/url:3ntuhaf3], [url=https://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/143-glycerin-%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99.html:3ntuhaf3]Glycerin[/url:3ntuhaf3], PCA-Na, polyquaternium -39, tea dry distillation liquid, Kawarayomogiekisu extract, clove extract, cocoyl glutamic acid TEA, polyglyceryl-4 lauryl ether, BG, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1-aldehyde-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99/2443-octanoic-acid-c8-caprylic-acid.html:3ntuhaf3]Caprylic Acid[/url:3ntuhaf3] glyceryl, polyglyceryl lauric acid -10, methyl paraben, propyl paraben , perfume

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Guide to Formulating a Gentle Foam Dry Shampoo

To create a gentle, non-rinse foam dry shampoo suitable for both adults and babies, with conditioning and long-lasting fragrance properties, you need to select specific ingredients that are mild and effective without leaving residue or causing irritation.

Essential Components

Water: The primary base.
Gentle Cleansing/Foaming Agent: Use a very mild surfactant for light cleansing and foam creation without rinsing.
- Recommended Ingredients:
  - Powderly Foam (Potassium Laureth Phosphate): A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant providing a soft feel.
  - Sophorolipid: A natural, gentle surfactant from fermentation with good cleaning and foaming properties.
Conditioning Agent: To soften hair, improve combability, and prevent tangles without rinse-off. Cationic polymers are effective.
- Recommended Ingredients:
  - Poly-Conditioner 47 (Polyquaternium-47): Compatible with various surfactants, provides detangling and a moist feel.
  - Poly-Conditioner 28 (Polyquaternium-28): Offers good conditioning, improves wet combability, and is stable over a wide pH range.
  - Cola-Cond (Cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate): A conditioner that helps soften hair and skin.
Humectant: To help retain moisture in the hair and scalp.
- Recommended Ingredient:
  - Glycerin: A widely used humectant that helps attract and hold moisture.
Soothing Agent: To ensure the formula is gentle and non-irritating, especially for sensitive or baby scalps.
- Recommended Ingredients:
  - Portulaca Extract: Known for its ability to reduce skin irritation.
  - Witch Hazel (Distillate - Alcohol Free, Paraben Free) or Witch Hazel (Alcohol Free, Paraben Free) Plus Allantoin: Gentle, alcohol-free options to help soothe the scalp.
Preservative System: Crucial for preventing microbial growth. For baby products, consider gentle options or those not classified as traditional preservatives by regulatory bodies.
- Recommended Ingredients:
  - Mild Preserved Eco™ or Mild Preserved CGZ™: Not classified as traditional preservatives by the FDA, suitable for "preservative-free" claims, and offer humectant properties.
  - Mild Preserved™ COS: A broad-spectrum, odorless preservative effective over a wide pH range.
Fragrance: Choose a fragrance specifically designed for sensitive skin or baby products.
pH Adjuster: To adjust the final pH to be compatible with ingredients and suitable for the scalp (typically slightly acidic, around pH 4.5-5.5).

Formulation Considerations

Foam Dispenser: Design the formulation to work with a foam pump bottle.
Mildness: Prioritize ingredients known for mildness and suitability for sensitive skin/babies.
Non-Rinse: Ensure ingredients are suitable for leave-on application without residue.
Mixing: Most water-soluble ingredients can be added to the water phase. Follow supplier instructions for specific ingredients (e.g., temperature limits).

By carefully selecting ingredients and formulating correctly, you can create a gentle, effective, and pleasant-to-use foam dry shampoo.