Gentle Cleansing Gel Formula for Dry & Sensitive Skin

This formula uses mild surfactants and includes moisturizing and soothing ingredients to cleanse without stripping the skin.

• Water (Aqua): Up to 100% (Base of the formula)
• Gentle Surfactant Blend (10-20%):
  • Decyl Glucoside: A very mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from plants. It creates a good foam and is gentle on the skin.
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine: An amphoteric surfactant that helps boost foam and reduce the potential irritation of other surfactants, making the formula milder.
• Humectants (5-10%):
  • Glycerin: A highly effective humectant that draws moisture into the skin, helping to prevent dryness during cleansing.
  • Butylene Glycol / Propylene Glycol: These can also function as humectants and help improve the texture and stability of the formula. Butylene Glycol is often preferred for its gentler profile compared to Propylene Glycol.
• Skin Conditioners / Emollients (1-5%):
  • Shea Butter: Provides a moisturizing and conditioning feel to the skin, counteracting any potential dryness from cleansing. Refined and deodorized Shea Butter or Ultra Soft Shea Butter are good options.
  • Betaine: Acts as a humectant and helps reduce irritation, contributing to the gentle nature of the cleanser.
• Soothing & Beneficial Extracts (1-5%):
  • Aloe Vera Extract: Known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for sensitive skin.
  • Licorice Root Extract (such as Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A 1%, Water-Soluble) or Licorice Extract (Glabridin 4.5%, Water-Soluble)): Offers anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits, helping to calm irritated skin.
  • Green Tea Extract (such as Hi-EGCG™ (Green Tea Extract) or Pure-EGCG™ (Green Tea Extract, 98% EGCG)): Provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• pH Adjuster (as needed, typically <1%):
  • Lactic Acid: Used to adjust the pH of the final product to a skin-friendly range (around pH 5.0-5.5).
• Thickener (as needed, typically <2%):
  • Choose a suitable water-soluble thickener (e.g., Xanthan Gum, Carbomer) to achieve the desired gel consistency.
• Preservative (as needed, typically <1%):
  • Essential for preventing microbial growth. Choose a broad-spectrum preservative suitable for rinse-off products.
• Salt (Sodium Chloride): (as needed, typically 0.5-2%) Can be used to help thicken certain surfactant systems.
• Polysorbate 20: Can be used as a solubilizer if small amounts of fragrance or oil-soluble ingredients are included, or as a mild co-surfactant.
• Fragrance (Optional, <0.5%): If desired, use a gentle fragrance suitable for sensitive skin, or omit entirely. Be mindful of potential allergens like Limonene.

Important Considerations:

• This is a sample formula with suggested ranges. The optimal percentages may vary depending on the specific raw materials used and the desired feel and performance of the final product.
• Formulating cosmetics requires careful measurement, mixing, and testing (including pH adjustment and stability testing).
• Always follow the usage rate guidelines provided by the supplier for each raw material.

This proposed formula provides a gentle alternative to the one containing Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, focusing on mild cleansing and skin conditioning suitable for dry and sensitive skin.