Gentle Shower Gel Formula for Foam Pump

Gentle Shower Gel Formula for Foam Pump Bottle

Creating a gentle shower gel for a foam pump bottle that emphasizes mildness can be achieved by selecting mild surfactants and formulating it to have low viscosity suitable for foam dispensing. The concept of adapting a face wash formula is a good approach, focusing on gentle surfactants that help create foam.

Here is a guideline for the formula and detailed instructions:

Ingredients (Approximate)

• Distilled Water/Deionized Water: 60-70%
• Glucoside Surfactant (e.g., Decyl Glucoside or Lauryl Glucoside): 15-25% (Choose one or use a combination)
  • Decyl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant of natural origin. It is very gentle and non-irritating, suitable for sensitive skin. It has a high pH and requires pH adjustment.
  • Lauryl Glucoside is similar to Decyl Glucoside but slightly less water-soluble. It provides good and gentle cleansing. It also has a high pH and requires pH adjustment.
• Coco-Betaine: 5-10%
  • A zwitterionic surfactant derived from coconut oil. It is very mild, helps boost foam quality to be soft and stable, and gives the product a smoother feel.
• Glycerin: 3-5%
  • A humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, preventing dryness after washing.
• Preservative: 1-1.5% (Choose a type suitable for the formula and pH range)
  • Mild Preserved Eco™ is an ingredient that helps control microbial growth and is not classified as a preservative by some regulatory bodies. It also has moisturizing properties and no odor. It works in the pH range of 4-9.
  • PE 1090 Preservative is a broad-spectrum preservative, paraben-free and formaldehyde-free. It works in a wide pH range of 3-12.
• pH Adjuster: Citric Acid or Lactic Acid (dissolved in a small amount of water)
  • Used to adjust the pH of the formula to be suitable for the skin (around 5.0-6.0) and to ensure certain preservatives work effectively.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Water Phase: Weigh the required amount of clean water into a clean container.
2. Add Glycerin: Add Glycerin to the water and mix until combined.
3. Add Surfactants: Slowly add the Glucoside surfactant (Decyl Glucoside or Lauryl Glucoside or a combination) and Coco-Betaine to the water mixture. Stir gently and slowly to avoid creating excessive foam.
4. Mix Thoroughly: Stir all ingredients together until well combined and homogeneous. It may take some time for the surfactants to fully dissolve and integrate.
5. Add Preservative: Add the chosen preservative to the mixture and stir until incorporated.
6. Check and Adjust pH: Use a pH meter or pH paper to measure the pH of the product. Glucoside surfactants typically have a high pH (around 11.5). Slowly add a solution of Citric Acid or Lactic Acid (e.g., 20-50% Citric Acid dissolved in water) drop by drop, stirring gently and re-measuring the pH after each addition. Continue until the desired pH is reached (around 5.0-6.0). Adjusting the pH helps reduce skin irritation.
7. (Optional) Add Other Ingredients: If you wish to add fragrance, color, or other water-soluble skin conditioning agents, you can add them at this stage. Stir gently to combine.
8. Package: Pour the finished product into a foam pump bottle.

Precautions:

• Stir gently throughout the process to prevent excessive foam formation, which can make mixing difficult.
• Adjust pH carefully, adding the pH adjuster very slowly, drop by drop.
• Always test the compatibility of all ingredients before making a large batch.
• This formula is a basic guideline. You can adjust the percentage of surfactants as needed to achieve your desired foam and cleansing performance, while keeping mildness in mind.

This formula will result in a gentle shower gel suitable for sensitive skin, providing a soft foam that works well with a foam pump bottle.