Increasing Foam in Clear Liquid Soap Base

How to Increase Foam in Clear Liquid Soap Base

Regarding your existing liquid soap base that doesn't produce much foam and your desire to make a clear liquid soap with more foam, using Lauric Acid directly may not be the suitable method.

1. Will adding Lauric Acid help increase foam and will the liquid soap be cloudy? (Want clear liquid soap)

   • Lauric Acid is a fatty acid. When added directly to a liquid soap base, it often does not dissolve well and will make the liquid soap cloudy. Lauric Acid itself is not a direct foaming agent but is one of the components used in the production of foaming surfactants.
   • Therefore, adding pure Lauric Acid will not increase foam in the way you desire and will make the liquid soap cloudy.

2. If Lauric Acid can be used, what should it be mixed with to be compatible with the soap base?

   • If you want to use Lauric Acid to create foam, it needs to undergo a saponification reaction (Saponification) with a base like Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) to become a fatty acid salt (soap). This is a soap manufacturing process, not simply adding it to a finished soap base. The resulting clarity may also depend on the other components in your original soap base.

3. Please recommend substances that can create foam if Lauric Acid cannot be used.

   • There are several surfactants that can help increase foam in liquid soap, and some can also help maintain the clarity of the formula. These substances are direct foaming agents and can be mixed into your existing liquid soap base. Use them at the recommended usage rates.
   • Popular substances that are effective for increasing foam in clear liquid soap include:
     • Creamy Foamer™ (Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate): A foam booster that creates soft foam and can be used in clear formulas.
     • Coco-Foam-50™ (Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine): A good foam booster often used in combination with other primary surfactants and is compatible with clear formulas.
     • SulFoam™ (Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate): A very gentle surfactant that provides good foam and can be used in clear formulas.
     • IseFoam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate): A gentle surfactant that produces good foam.
     • Cond-Foam™ (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate): A gentle surfactant that provides good foam and a conditioning feel on skin/hair.

You can choose one or two of these substances to mix into your existing liquid soap base to increase foam. It is recommended to test with small amounts first to adjust for the desired foam level and clarity.