Formulating Moisturizing Liquid Hand Soap with Alcohol

Adding Moisturizing Ingredients to Sulfate Free Shampoo Base

The first formulation you provided uses Sulfate Free Shampoo Base, Water, and Preservative. To add extra moisturizing properties to this water-based formula, you can incorporate water-soluble or water-dispersible moisturizing ingredients.

• Aloe Vera Extract: This is an excellent water-soluble option that provides skin conditioning and hydration. You can add Aloe Vera Extract at a concentration of 1-10%. A typical starting point could be 3-5%.
• Glycerin: Another common humectant that draws moisture to the skin. It is water-soluble and can be added at various percentages, typically 1-10%.
• Vitamin E (Water-Soluble): While the Vitamin E Acetate (oil-soluble) you mentioned is great for oil formulas, a water-soluble version of Vitamin E would be more suitable for this base. If using the oil-soluble Vitamin E Acetate, it would need to be properly emulsified or dispersed, possibly at a low concentration (0.1-0.5%) to avoid affecting clarity or stability.

A modified formula could look like:

• Sulfate Free Shampoo Base: 30-35%
• Aloe Vera Extract: 3-5%
• Preservative: 1%
• Water: Balance to 100%

Mix the Sulfate Free Shampoo Base and water gently to avoid excessive foaming. Add the preservative and Aloe Vera Extract, stirring until fully incorporated.

Using the Oil Soap™ Formulation as Hand Soap

The second formulation you listed, based on Oil Soap™, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E Acetate, and Oil Blender, is designed as an oil-based liquid soap.

• This type of formula is particularly suitable for dry or sensitive skin because of its high oil content.
• It cleanses gently and provides good moisturization.
• When mixed with water, it typically turns milky and produces a normal level of foam.

Yes, this formulation can be used as a hand soap, especially if you are looking for a very gentle and moisturizing cleanse. The feel and lather will be different from a traditional water-based liquid soap.

Combining Alcohol, Sulfate Free Shampoo Base, and Moisturizers

You asked about combining Ethyl Alcohol, Sulfate Free Shampoo Base, Water, Preservative, Vitamin E Acetate, and Aloe Vera Extract to create a moisturizing liquid soap with an alcohol feel. This is possible, but requires careful formulation as alcohol can affect the viscosity and foaming of the soap base and can be drying to the skin.

To achieve a balance of cleansing, moisturizing, and an alcohol feel, you could consider a starting formulation like this:

• Sulfate Free Shampoo Base: 25-30%
• Ethyl Alcohol (96% or 99.9%): 5-15% (Adjust based on desired alcohol feel and tolerance for potential drying)
• Aloe Vera Extract: 3-5%
• Vitamin E Acetate (Oil-Soluble): 0.1-0.5% (Mix thoroughly, potentially pre-dispersing in a small amount of the base or using a suitable solubilizer if needed to ensure it blends well in the water/alcohol mix)
• Preservative: 1%
• Water: Balance to 100%

Mixing Instructions:

1. Combine Water, Sulfate Free Shampoo Base, and Aloe Vera Extract. Stir gently until uniform.
2. In a separate container, mix the Vitamin E Acetate with a small amount of the Sulfate Free Shampoo Base or a suitable solubilizer if necessary, ensuring it is fully dispersed.
3. Slowly add the alcohol to the main water/base mixture while stirring gently.
4. Add the dispersed Vitamin E mixture and the preservative to the main batch.
5. Continue stirring gently until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is uniform. Avoid vigorous mixing, which can create excessive foam.

Important Considerations:

• Adding alcohol can decrease the viscosity of the final product. You may need to adjust the percentage of the Sulfate Free Shampoo Base or use a thickener suitable for alcohol-containing formulas if a thicker consistency is desired.
• High concentrations of alcohol can be drying to the skin. The suggested percentages aim to provide an alcohol feel without being excessively drying, especially when combined with moisturizing ingredients like Aloe Vera Extract and Vitamin E.
• If the goal is significant hand sanitizing, a much higher alcohol concentration (typically 60-70%) is required, which is difficult to achieve in a traditional liquid soap base without significantly altering its properties and increasing skin dryness. The formulation above is more for a cleansing soap with a noticeable alcohol presence rather than a primary hand sanitizer.

Experimenting with small batch sizes is recommended to find the proportions that best meet your desired feel, foaming, and moisturizing properties.