Gentle & Sulfate-Free Shampoo Base Alternatives for Herbal Shampoo

Here are some gentle and safe shampoo base alternatives you can use to replace your previous ingredients (like N70) for making herbal shampoo:

There are two main approaches for choosing gentle base ingredients:

1. Using Sulfate-Free Ready-Made Shampoo Bases: These bases already contain a blend of gentle cleansing agents, making it convenient to add herbal extracts, nourishing ingredients, and adjust viscosity.

   • Sulfate Free Shampoo Base (pH 7, Clear, Foaming): A clear, Sulfate-Free shampoo base that provides good foam and is easy to thicken with salt. Suitable for adult shampoos.
   • Sulfate Free No-Tear Shampoo Base (pH 6, Clear, Foaming): An extra gentle, Sulfate-Free clear shampoo base formulated to be "no-tear" (does not irritate eyes). Ideal for baby shampoos or those requiring maximum mildness.
   • Sulfate-Free Foaming Base (pH 6, Clear, Foaming): A gentle, Sulfate-Free foaming base that lathers well. Can be used for shampoo, body wash, or even facial/intimate cleansers.
   • Sulfate-Free No-Tear Foaming Base (pH 6, Clear, Foaming): Similar to the Sulfate-Free Foaming Base but with added "no-tear" properties, focusing on ultimate mildness.
   • SweetWash™ Hair (Shampoo Foaming Base Built-in fixative): A shampoo base designed to help fragrance adhere better to the hair, also formulated to be Sulfate-Free.

2. Using Gentle Individual Surfactants: You can combine these surfactants to create your own shampoo formula from scratch or use them alongside a shampoo base to modify its properties.

   • Cocamidopropyl Betaine: A very mild amphoteric surfactant commonly used as a co-surfactant to boost foam and reduce irritation from primary surfactants. Often found in baby products.
   • IseFoam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate): An anionic surfactant known for its mildness and good foaming properties, frequently used in Sulfate-Free formulations.
   • Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate: An amino acid-derived surfactant that is highly gentle, provides a soft, fine lather, and leaves the skin feeling moisturized.
   • Decyl Glucoside: A naturally derived non-ionic surfactant considered very mild and non-irritating, suitable for sensitive skin.

Using a ready-made shampoo base is generally the easiest and most convenient starting point for making herbal shampoo. If you wish to customize the formula further or achieve specific properties (e.g., different foam characteristics or a particular level of mildness), you can consider incorporating these gentle individual surfactants.