How to Adjust pH of Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate)

Asked by: psn.tree On: January 06, 2026 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

How do I adjust the pH of Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate, High Foaming Oil-Based Liquid Soap)?

  • The product description mentioned to check instructions below, but I couldn't find any information provided.
  • Could you please explain the procedure for lowering the pH of this ingredient?

Answer

To adjust the pH of Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate), you can follow the specific procedure outlined for this type of oil-based surfactant system. While the default pH is typically around 7.0 (which is already gentle), you can lower it to approximately 5.5 for a more skin-friendly profile.

pH Adjustment Procedure:

  1. Prepare the Acid Solution: Mix Citric Acid (or other fruit acids like Lactic Acid) with water at a ratio of 20% acid to 80% water.
  2. Gradual Addition: After completing your main mixture, gradually add the prepared acid solution into the formula.
  3. Stir and Measure: Stir thoroughly and measure the pH. Continue adding the solution in small increments until you reach the target pH of 5.5.
    • Note: Since this is an oil-based system, to get an accurate reading, it is recommended to dilute a small sample of the finished product (e.g., 10% product in 90% water) before testing with a pH meter or strip.

Important Warnings:

  • Cloudiness: Adding too much of the acid-water solution can cause the formula to become cloudy.
  • How to Fix Cloudiness: If the formula turns opaque or cloudy after adding the acid, you can resolve this by increasing the proportion of Oil Soap™ WW-CF in the recipe until it becomes clear again.
  • Anhydrous Formulas: In formulas that contain no water at all, the pH cannot be adjusted directly within the oil phase. The adjustment only becomes relevant when the product comes into contact with water during use.

Recommended Ingredients for Adjustment:

  • Citric Acid (Anhydrous, Natural)
  • Lactic Acid (AHA) 90% Deodorized

Follow-up Replies

psn.tree
January 06, 2026 23:07
Question:

I am looking to adjust the pH of Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate, High Foaming Oil-Based Liquid Soap). The product description mentions checking instructions, but I couldn't find any information provided.

  • If I prepare a solution of Citric Acid or Lactic Acid by mixing it with Propylene Glycol (as a water replacement) to adjust the pH, will this reduce the risk of the formula becoming cloudy?
  • Could you please explain the recommended procedure for lowering the pH of this ingredient?
Answer:

Yes, using Propylene Glycol (USP) instead of water to dissolve the acid for pH adjustment in Oil Soap™ WW-CF is a much better approach and significantly reduces the risk of cloudiness.

Why Propylene Glycol is better:

  1. Prevents the "Oil-to-Milk" Reaction: Oil Soap™ WW-CF is designed to emulsify and turn into a milky lotion upon contact with water. Using even a small amount of water to dissolve the acid can trigger this reaction, leading to unwanted cloudiness or opaqueness in your oil-based formula.
  2. Better Compatibility: Since Oil Soap™ WW-CF already contains Propylene Glycol as part of its composition, using additional Propylene Glycol (USP) ensures perfect compatibility and maintains the clarity of the oil system.
  3. Maintains Anhydrous Integrity: If you are aiming for a 100% water-free (anhydrous) formula, using Propylene Glycol allows you to adjust the pH without introducing water into the system.

Procedure for pH Adjustment:

  1. Prepare the Acid Solution:
    • If using Citric Acid (Anhydrous, Natural): Dissolve the powder in Propylene Glycol (USP). (Citric acid is soluble in PG, though it may require thorough stirring or slight warming).
    • If using Lactic Acid (AHA) 90% Deodorized: Mix the liquid lactic acid with Propylene Glycol (USP) at a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 for easier incremental adjustment.
  2. Adjustment: Gradually add the acid-PG solution to your main mixture while stirring.
  3. Measurement: To get an accurate reading for an oil-based system, take a small sample of the finished product and dilute it with water (1 part product to 9 parts water). Measure the pH of the resulting milky emulsion using a pH meter or strip. The target pH for skin-friendliness is typically around 5.5.

Additional Tips:

  • While Propylene Glycol significantly reduces the risk of cloudiness, always add the solution slowly and monitor the clarity.
  • If the formula begins to turn hazy due to over-addition, you can usually restore clarity by adding a bit more Oil Soap™ WW-CF.

Relevant Products:

  • Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate)
  • Propylene Glycol (USP)
  • Citric Acid (Anhydrous, Natural)
  • Lactic Acid (AHA) 90% Deodorized

Related Products Mentioned

Lactic Acid (AHA) 90% Deodorized (odorless)
Citric Acid (Anhydrous, Natural)
Oil Soap™ WW-CF (MIPA-Laureth sulfate, High Foaming Oil-Based Liquid Soap)
Propylene Glycol (USP)

Tags

Acidic Formulation Clarity Liquid Soap Oil-based Formulation pH Adjustment