Hair Spray Formula Review for Stability and Conditioning
Question
I would like the staff to review my formula for a hair spray intended to add fragrance and condition dry, damaged hair, to check for compatibility before production. The formula is as follows: 1. Jojoba Oil (Golden - Deodorized) 0.5%, 2. Hair Collagen (Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen) 3%, 3. Pure Keratin™ (Natural, Sheep Wool) 2%, 4. Water 20%, 5. Fragrance 30%, 6. Ethyl Alcohol (99.9% , 200 Proof, Perfumer Grade) 44.5%. Thank you.
Answer
Based on the formula you provided for a hair spray intended for fragrance and conditioning, here are some points for consideration:
English Analysis:
The formula includes Jojoba Oil, Hair Collagen, Pure Keratin, Water, Fragrance, and Ethyl Alcohol. The total percentage adds up to 100%.
Here are some potential points to consider regarding this formulation:
- High Fragrance (30%) and Alcohol (44.5%) Content: The combined percentage of fragrance and alcohol is very high (74.5%).
- A fragrance concentration of 30% is significantly higher than typically used in leave-on hair products (which are often in the 0.1-2% range, sometimes up to 5-10% for intense fragrance, but 30% is exceptionally high). High fragrance levels can potentially cause scalp irritation or sensitivity for some individuals. It might also make the product feel heavy or sticky on the hair.
- An alcohol concentration of 44.5% can be very drying to the hair, especially for hair that is already dry and damaged, which contradicts the goal of conditioning. Alcohol can strip natural oils and potentially lead to increased brittleness or frizz over time. While alcohol helps with quick drying and can solubilize some ingredients, this level might be counterproductive for conditioning.
- Solubility and Stability: Jojoba oil is an oil and will not dissolve in water or high concentrations of alcohol without a suitable solubilizer or emulsifier. The formula does not list one. This will likely lead to the oil separating from the water/alcohol phase, resulting in an unstable product that requires shaking before each use and may not distribute evenly.
- Sprayability: The presence of oil without proper solubilization can potentially clog the spray nozzle over time.
- Conditioning vs. Drying: While Hair Collagen and Keratin are good conditioning agents, the high concentration of alcohol might significantly reduce their perceived conditioning benefits due to its drying effect on the hair.
Recommendations:
- Review Fragrance and Alcohol Levels: Consider significantly reducing the percentage of both fragrance and alcohol. A lower alcohol content would be less drying and more suitable for conditioning dry/damaged hair. A lower fragrance level would reduce the risk of irritation and potentially improve the feel on the hair.
- Add a Solubilizer: To ensure the Jojoba oil (and potentially the fragrance, depending on its type) is evenly dispersed in the water/alcohol base, you will need to add a suitable solubilizer. This is crucial for product stability and sprayability.
- Adjust Water Content: The water content might need adjustment depending on the final percentages of other ingredients and the type of solubilizer used.
- Consider Additional Conditioning Agents: Depending on the desired level of conditioning, you might consider adding other conditioning agents suitable for a spray application that work well in a water/alcohol base.
This formula, as is, presents challenges regarding stability, sprayability, and potentially counteracting the conditioning benefits due to the high alcohol content and lack of a solubilizer. Adjusting the percentages and adding a solubilizer would likely be necessary to create a stable and effective product for conditioning dry/damaged hair while providing fragrance.
