Recommended Foaming Agents and Usage for Foam Pump Liquid Soap
Question
What are the recommended foaming agents and their usage percentages for liquid soap formulations (body wash and face wash) intended for foam pumps, especially to achieve abundant foam? The original question mentioned Coco Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, and Coco Glucoside, which were found not to provide sufficient foam.
Answer
Recommended Foaming Agent Usage for Foam Pump Liquid Soap
For creating liquid soap suitable for a foam pump, especially for body wash and face wash, the foaming agents Cond-Foam (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate) and Clarify-Wash (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate) are generally more suitable than Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco Glucoside, or Lauryl Glucoside if you desire abundant foam.
Here are recommended starting percentages for formulations intended for foam pump bottles:
Using Cond-Foam (Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate)
Cond-Foam is known for its high gentleness and good foaming properties, making it suitable for both body and face wash.
- For Body Wash: Start with a concentration of 10-20%.
- For Face Wash: Use a lower concentration for increased gentleness, starting around 5-15%.
For optimal foaming and gentleness with Cond-Foam, ensure your final formula has a pH in the range of 5-6.
Using Clarify-Wash (Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate)
Clarify-Wash provides high cleaning efficiency and abundant foam. It is generally more suitable for body wash due to its stronger cleansing power.
- For Body Wash: A starting concentration of 10-15% is recommended.
Clarify-Wash can be irritating at high concentrations and has a high inherent pH. It is crucial to adjust the final formula's pH to the 5-6 range for better skin compatibility.
When formulating for a foam pump, the total surfactant concentration is typically lower than in standard liquid soaps to maintain the necessary low viscosity for the pump mechanism.
Updated Review: May 2026
This section was added after reviewing the original answer against current product availability and formulation knowledge at the stated point in time.
Update as of 2026-05-31
The earlier guidance is still broadly valid: Cond-Foam™ remains the gentler high-foaming choice, while Clarify-Wash™ remains the stronger-cleansing, high-foaming choice. Current catalog listings now separate some materials by form, so choose the version according to the formula type: Cond-Foam™ Liquid is easier for liquid foam-pump cleansers, while Cond-Foam™ Powder is better suited to dry formats. Clarify-Wash™ is available as a high-active powder and as Clarify-Wash™ 35 Liquid; adjust the percentage according to active matter and keep the finished foam-pump formula low in viscosity.
For Cond-Foam™, keep the finished formula around pH 5-6 for best foaming. For Clarify-Wash™, adjust the finished formula to a skin-compatible pH, commonly around pH 5-6, and avoid excessive use in face-wash formulas because it is a stronger cleanser. If convenience is more important than building the surfactant system from individual ingredients, current sulfate-free foaming bases such as Sulfate-Free Foaming Base or Sulfate-Free No-Tear Foaming Base can be considered for foam-pump cleanser development.
