Incorporating Multiple Ingredients into Herbal Shampoo
Question
Can the following ingredients be incorporated into a herbal shampoo formulation? What are the considerations regarding their compatibility, especially when combining them? The ingredients are:
- Hydro Protein
- Panthenol Extralite
- Trehalose
- Hydrogel
- Creatine 100
- Lanolin
- Pure Keratin
- Guar Cationic
- Baby Foam
- Thyme Care
Answer
Incorporating Ingredients into Herbal Shampoo
Many of the ingredients you've listed can be incorporated into a herbal shampoo formulation, offering various benefits for hair health. Here's a breakdown of their suitability and some considerations:
- Proteins (Hydrolyzed Protein, Pure Keratin): Ingredients like Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hair Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, and Hydrolyzed Keratin are beneficial for strengthening and repairing hair. They are generally water-soluble and suitable for shampoo. However, be mindful that cationic proteins like Hair Wheat Protein may have compatibility issues with anionic surfactants such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Baby Foam).
- Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Panthenol is excellent for moisturizing and improving hair elasticity. It is water-soluble and commonly used in shampoos at low concentrations (0.1-0.5%).
- Trehalose: Trehalose is a humectant that helps retain moisture, which can be beneficial for both the scalp and hair in a shampoo formulation. It is water-soluble.
- Hydrogel (Biosaccharide Gum-1): This ingredient provides moisturization and can help coat the hair, contributing to softness and manageability without using silicones. It is water-soluble.
- Creatine 100: Creatine can help strengthen hair and improve its moisture level. It is water-soluble.
- Lanolin: Traditional Lanolin is oil-soluble and can be difficult to incorporate into a typical shampoo base. Water Soluble Lanolin (PEG-75 Lanolin) is a much better option for ease of mixing and providing conditioning properties in a shampoo.
- Guar Cationic: Cationic Guar is a conditioning agent that helps reduce tangling and makes hair soft and smooth. It is suitable for conditioning shampoos but requires the formula's pH to be below 7.0 for proper dissolution and function. Like cationic proteins, its compatibility with anionic surfactants needs careful formulation.
- Baby Foam (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate): This is a gentle anionic surfactant suitable for cleansing. It can be used as the primary or secondary detergent in your shampoo.
- Thyme Care: This natural preservative is suitable for use in shampoo formulations to prevent microbial growth. It is compatible within a wide pH range (2-10).
Considerations for Formulation:
When combining these ingredients, especially cationic ones (Hair Wheat Protein, Guar Cationic) with anionic surfactants (Baby Foam), it's crucial to consider their compatibility to avoid precipitation or reduced performance. You may need to adjust the order of addition or the overall formulation to ensure stability and efficacy. Using Water Soluble Lanolin is recommended over oil-soluble Lanolin for easier incorporation into a shampoo base.
Related Products Mentioned
GuarCat™ Standard (1,000-5,000mpas)
TreMoisture™ (Trehalose)
Hydro Gel (Biosaccharide Gum-1)
Creatine 100
Thyme Care™ (natural preservative)
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein (High-Peptide)
Lanolin Water Soluble (PEG-75 Lanolin)
Hydrolyzed Keratin (Liquid, Deodorized)