Gentle Sulfate-Free Shampoo Formula for Children and Sensitive Skin

Based on the ingredients you provided, you can develop a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo formula. Here are the key ingredients and their typical recommended usage rates in cosmetic formulations:

• Coco Glucoside: A very gentle, natural-origin non-ionic surfactant derived from coconut/palm oil and glucose. It is an excellent alternative to sulfates like SLS and SLES, suitable for sensitive skin. It provides cleansing but minimal foam and has a high pH, requiring adjustment. Recommended usage for gentle skin is 5%, but can be used up to 25%.
• Glycerin: A humectant that helps retain moisture. Can be used from 1% up to 100%, but is typically used at lower concentrations in rinse-off products like shampoo. A range of 2-5% is common.
• 1,3-Propanediol (Natural): A natural humectant and solvent derived from glucose fermentation. It can enhance the moisturizing effect of Glycerin and act as a solvent. Usage rate is 1-20%. It is also a component of Mild Preserved Eco.
• Mild Preserved Eco: A blend of Ethylhexylglycerin and 1,3-Propanediol. It functions as a preservative booster and humectant and is not classified as a preservative by the FDA, allowing for "preservative-free" claims. Usage rate is 0.5-2.0%, with 1.0-1.5% recommended for general cosmetics.
• SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate): A plant-derived thickener specifically designed for detergent systems. It can help reduce irritation from detergents and is suitable for baby products. Usage rate is 1-5%, with 1-3% recommended.
• Citric Acid: Used to adjust the pH of the formula. Coco Glucoside has a high pH (around 11.5), so Citric Acid will be needed to bring the shampoo's pH down to a skin-friendly range (ideally 5.5-6.5 for sensitive skin). Use as needed to reach the desired pH.

Maltodextrin was not found in the product search results for cosmetic ingredients.

Here is a possible gentle, sulfate-free shampoo formulation using your ingredients and recommended percentages. You will also need purified water to complete the formula.

Example Gentle Sulfate-Free Shampoo Formula

Formulation Steps:

1. Combine Purified Water, Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, and 1,3-Propanediol. Stir gently to avoid excessive foaming.
2. Slowly add SugarThick while stirring. Gentle warming (50-60°C) may help SugarThick dissolve and thicken the mixture. Continue stirring until fully dissolved and the desired viscosity is reached upon cooling.
3. Once the mixture has cooled, add Mild Preserved Eco and stir to combine.
4. Measure the pH of the mixture. Gradually add small amounts of Citric Acid solution (e.g., 10-20% solution in water), stirring well after each addition, until the pH is in the range of 5.5-6.5.
5. Perform a stability test and potentially a challenge test to ensure the formula is stable and adequately preserved.

Claiming Your Shampoo:

Based on the ingredients used:

• Sulfate-Free: Yes, you can claim this as Coco Glucoside is a non-sulfate surfactant.
• Paraben-Free: Yes, Mild Preserved Eco does not contain parabens.
• Gentle/Suitable for Sensitive Skin/Children: Yes, Coco Glucoside and SugarThick are known for their mildness and suitability for sensitive skin and baby products.
• Natural Origin: Many of the ingredients (Coco Glucoside, Glycerin, 1,3-Propanediol, Citric Acid, SugarThick) are derived from natural sources, allowing you to highlight the natural origin of the formula. However, claiming "100% Natural" depends on the origin of all ingredients, including the water. You can claim "Natural Origin Ingredients" or similar.
• Free from irritating chemicals: While the formula avoids sulfates and parabens, the term "irritating chemicals" is broad. You can specifically state the absence of sulfates and parabens and emphasize the mildness of the chosen ingredients.

Adding Other Natural Hair Conditioning Ingredients:

Yes, you can definitely enhance the formula with natural hair conditioning ingredients. Consider adding:

• Natural Extracts: Such as Chamomile extract (soothing), Aloe Vera extract (moisturizing), or Oat extract (calming). These can be added at the end of the formulation process.
• Hydrolyzed Proteins: Like Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein or Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, which can help strengthen and condition hair.
• Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Known for its moisturizing and hair strengthening properties.

When adding new ingredients, research their recommended usage rates and compatibility with your existing formula. You may need to adjust the water percentage accordingly.

Remember that formulating cosmetics requires careful measurement, proper mixing techniques, and testing to ensure safety, stability, and efficacy. Always perform small test batches first.