Hair Spray Formulation: pH, Preservation, and Conditioning

Question

I am developing a water-based leave-in hair spray formulation with the goal of nourishing hair, adding shine, and preventing tangles. My current formula includes:

Hydrolyzed Silk Protein
Pure Keratin
Creatine 100
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Sea Kelp Extract

Previously, I used Poly-Conditioner Pro but removed it, and I prefer to avoid silicones if possible. I have a few questions:

Is pH adjustment needed for this formula, or will it naturally have a neutral pH?
Is a preservative necessary, and if so, is Phenoxyethanol SA at 1% appropriate?
Do the listed ingredients (Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Pure Keratin, Creatine 100, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), N-Acetyl Cysteine, Sea Kelp Extract) provide sufficient nourishment, shine, and detangling properties?
Will this hair spray formulation clog the scalp when used as a leave-in product?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Subject: Advice on Hair Spray Formulation

Thank you for sharing your updated hair spray formulation and your goals for nourishing hair, adding shine, preventing tangles, and creating a leave-in, water-based spray.

Based on your formula and the staff's feedback:

pH Level: The staff confirmed that your formula is expected to result in a neutral pH, so no adjustment should be needed.
Preservative: A preservative is necessary for water-based formulas. The staff recommended Phenoxyethanol SA at 1%, which is a suitable choice.
Nourishing Ingredients: Your current formula includes excellent ingredients for hair nourishment, such as Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Pure Keratin, Creatine 100, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), N-Acetyl Cysteine, and Sea Kelp Extract. These ingredients work to strengthen, moisturize, and provide building blocks for the hair structure.
Enhancing Shine and Detangling: While your current ingredients provide nourishment, achieving significant shine and preventing tangles often benefits from ingredients that coat the hair surface. As the staff mentioned, hair conditioner ingredients are effective for this purpose, helping to smooth the cuticle and reduce friction. You initially included Poly-Conditioner Pro, which is a good example of such an ingredient. Adding a hair conditioner back into the formula (you can choose a non-silicone option if preferred) would likely enhance the detangling effect and shine, complementing the internal nourishment provided by the other ingredients.
Focus on Hair Strands: The ingredients in your formula and the suggested conditioner are primarily beneficial for the hair strands. When applied as a spray to the lengths of the hair, they are unlikely to clog the scalp.

In summary, your updated formula is a good base for a nourishing hair spray. Adding a suitable hair conditioner ingredient would further help achieve your goals of shine and detangling, alongside the internal benefits from the other active ingredients. Remember to follow recommended usage percentages for all ingredients.