Intimate Area Cleanser & Conditioner Formulation: Ingredient Function, Usage, Shelf Life, and Mixing

Question

I am developing a formula for cleansing and conditioning the intimate area, specifically pubic hair. I have some questions regarding ingredients, shelf life, and mixing steps: In the hair conditioning category, do silicones help nourish hair as well, or do they only coat the hair to make it soft, smooth, and tangle-free? Does Poly conditioner Pro (400m Pa.s) help nourish hair, or does it only coat it for softness and smoothness? If I want to add it to the formula recommended by your team, can I add it at 0.5-2.0%? Is this percentage range appropriate? I understand that Panthenol (Vitamin B5) Extraclite helps nourish hair. Can I add it at 0.5-1%? What other ingredients would you recommend for hair nourishment that are compatible with the formula? If I use a preservative like Phenoxyethanol SA which expires on 10/2019, does the cosmetic product containing this ingredient also expire on the same date (10/2019)? Based on the formula provided by your team (Cond-Foam™ 10%, Lauryl Glucoside 5%, Coco Glucoside 3%, EasyThick 1-3%, Phenoxyethanol SA 0.5%, Water to 100%), could you confirm the mixing steps? Is the correct order to mix ingredients 1-4, then measure pH, then add a mild acid like Citric Acid to adjust pH to 5-6, and finally add Phenoxyethanol?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Based on the ingredients list you provided and the staff's responses:

Which ingredient softens hair?
- Among the ingredients you listed, Polyquaternium-10 is a known hair conditioning agent that helps make hair soft and smooth. Hair conditioning ingredients in general work by coating the hair strands.
Recommended alternative ingredients and formula:
- Pubic hair is similar in structure to head hair, so ingredients used for hair conditioning can be effective.
- The staff recommended a gentle formula suitable for cleansing and conditioning pubic hair:
  - Cond-Foam™: 10%
  - Lauryl Glucoside: 5%
  - Coco Glucoside: 3%
  - EasyThick: 1-3% (adjust for desired thickness)
  - Phenoxyethanol SA: 0.5% (preservative)
  - Water: Balance to 100%
- You can add Panthenol (Vitamin B5) (0.5-1.0%, 0.5% is often sufficient) for hair nourishment.
- You can also add Polyquaternium-10 (Poly conditioner Pro) (0.5-2.0%, start with 0.5%) for additional conditioning and smoothness.
Hair vs. Pubic Hair Structure & Conditioning:
- Pubic hair is similar to head hair.
- Hair conditioning ingredients like Polyquaternium-10, silicones, and Poly-Conditioner work by coating the hair to make it soft and smooth.
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) nourishes the hair but does not provide the same smoothing/softening effect as conditioning agents.
Preservative Expiry vs. Product Shelf Life:
- The expiry date on an ingredient like Phenoxyethanol SA is the manufacturer's guarantee date, not the final product's expiry date.
- A finished product typically has a shelf life of 2 years from the manufacturing date, provided a sufficient amount of preservative is used and the formula is stable.
Mixing Steps for the Recommended Formula:
- Add the ingredients (Cond-Foam™, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, EasyThick, and any additional ingredients like Panthenol or Polyquaternium-10) to the water.
- Stir gently until everything is dissolved and mixed.
- Measure the pH and add a mild acid like Citric Acid to adjust the pH.
- Important: For cleansing the intimate area, the pH should be adjusted to 4.2-4.5 (not 5-6), and should not be lower than 4.
- The preservative (Phenoxyethanol SA) can be added at the beginning with the other ingredients or at the very end after pH adjustment.