Formulation Advice for Purifying Shampoo using SweetWash™ Hair
Question
Can I use the following formulation for a purifying shampoo?
SweetWash™ Hair: 51%Distilled Water: 47%Essential Oil: 2%
Is this acceptable, or should I add anything else to improve the formula?
Answer
Your proposed formula (SweetWash™ Hair 51%, Distilled Water 47%, Essential Oil 2%) is a good starting point and aligns well with the manufacturer's recommended 1:1 dilution ratio. However, to make it a truly effective "Purifying" shampoo and ensure a good hair feel, I recommend the following additions:
1. For the "Purifying" Effect (Oil & Scalp Control)
To enhance the purifying properties, especially for oily scalp or deep cleaning:
- Zinc PCA (0.2-0.3%): This is an excellent addition for a purifying formula. It helps reduce scalp oiliness, controls dandruff, and helps keep the scalp clean for longer.
2. For Hair Conditioning and Texture
Since SweetWash™ Hair does not contain built-in conditioning agents, using it with just water might leave the hair feeling dry or tangled.
- GuarCat™ Standard (0.15-0.3%): This will provide the necessary "slip" and softness so the hair doesn't tangle. It also helps increase the viscosity (thickness) of the shampoo, as the base becomes quite thin when diluted with water.
Recommended Purifying Shampoo Formula
- SweetWash™ Hair: 50%
- Distilled Water: 47.5%
- Essential Oil: 2%
- Zinc PCA: 0.3% (For oil control/purifying)
- GuarCat™ Standard: 0.2% (For conditioning and thickness)
Mixing Instructions
- Fragrance Phase: Mix your Essential Oil directly into the SweetWash™ Hair base first. This base is specifically designed to fix the scent.
- Water Phase: In a separate container, dissolve the Zinc PCA and GuarCat™ Standard into the Distilled Water.
- Note: GuarCat™ Standard may take about 15 minutes to fully hydrate and thicken the water.
- Combination: Gradually pour the Water Phase into the Fragrance Phase while stirring gently until the mixture is uniform.
- pH Check: For the best results with Zinc PCA and for scalp health, ensure the final pH is around 4.5-5.5.
Important Note: Do not mix this base with other surfactants (soap/cleansing agents), as they may be incompatible and cause the formula to separate.
Follow-up Replies
Question:
I have a follow-up question. If this formula is used in a spa setting, how can it be adjusted to prevent the therapists' hands from drying out?
I want to make the shampoo more "friendly" to the therapists' hands. Is it possible to adjust the formulation for this, or does protection depend entirely on the therapists themselves?
The initial formulation discussed:
SweetWash™ Hair: 51%Distilled Water: 47%Essential Oil: 2%
Answer:
For spa use where therapists frequently handle shampoo, you can definitely adjust the formula to be "Therapist Friendly" by adding ingredients that protect the skin barrier and reduce irritation from surfactants.
Recommended "Therapist Friendly" & Purifying Formula
This formula enhances the purifying effect for the client while providing a protective "shield" for the therapist's hands:
- SweetWash™ Hair: 50% (Base)
- Distilled Water: 43.5%
- Starch Care™ (Maltooligosyl Glucoside): 3% (Crucial for therapists; reduces skin roughness and protects against surfactant-induced irritation)
- Essential Oil: 2%
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5): 0.5% (Strengthens skin barrier and hydrates hair)
- Zinc PCA: 0.3% (For the purifying/oil-control effect)
- GuarCat™ Standard: 0.2% (Provides conditioning and thickness)
- Allantoin: 0.5% (Soothes the skin and reduces irritation)
Key Ingredients for Hand Protection:
- Starch Care™: This is a standout ingredient for your needs. It significantly reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin redness caused by cleansing agents, helping to keep the therapist's hands from becoming dry and cracked.
- Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Acts as a humectant that retains moisture and serves as a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
- Allantoin: Provides anti-irritant and soothing properties, which is essential for skin that is frequently wet and exposed to detergents.
Mixing & Usage Tips:
- Dissolving Allantoin: Ensure Allantoin is fully dissolved in the water phase first (it can be slow to dissolve at room temperature).
- pH Balance: Maintain a final pH of 5.0–5.5. This is the "sweet spot" for both a healthy scalp and maintaining the therapist's natural skin acid mantle.
- Therapist Care: Even with a friendly formula, therapists should ideally rinse their hands thoroughly and apply a barrier hand cream (containing oils or waxes) after treatments to ensure maximum protection.
This adjustment allows you to offer a high-performance purifying treatment that is also gentle on your staff's hands.
Related Products Mentioned
GuarCat™ Standard (1,000-5,000mpas)
Zinc PCA
Bergamot Essential Oil (Fruit, India)
Allantoin
