Recommended Ingredients for Cold Process Facial Cleansing Gel (Sensitive Skin)

For a Facial Cleansing Gel specifically designed for sensitive skin using a cold process (no heat required), you should select ingredients that are exceptionally mild and easy to mix at room temperature.

Here is a recommended selection of ingredients:

1. Primary Surfactants (Gentle Cleansing)

• AminoWash™ (Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate): An amino acid-based surfactant that is extremely gentle, provides a soft feel, and has a skin-friendly pH (around 5.6). It is ideal for sensitive skin and "no-tears" formulas.
• Mild-Wash C™ (Sodium Cocoamphoacetate): An extra-gentle amphoteric surfactant that is 100% naturally biodegradable. It works well in combination with other surfactants to reduce irritation.

2. Thickening Agent (Cold Process Gel Maker)

• ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer): A liquid thickening agent designed specifically for surfactant systems. It does not require heat and allows you to create a beautiful, clear gel texture. It is stable at pH 4-6, which is perfect for skin-neutral products.

3. Skin Care & Anti-Irritation

• Natural Betaine: A natural extract from sugar beets that provides deep hydration and significantly reduces irritation caused by surfactants. It is a crystal powder that dissolves easily in water at room temperature.

4. Preservative

• Mild Preserved Eco™: A mild, preservative-free system suitable for sensitive skin products to ensure the formula remains safe from microbial growth.

Basic Cold Process Steps:

1. Water Phase: Dissolve Natural Betaine and AminoWash™ in water. Stir gently until clear.
2. Surfactant Phase: Add Mild-Wash C™ to the mixture and stir slowly to avoid creating excessive foam.
3. Thickening: Add ThickClean™ and stir.
4. pH Adjustment: Adjust the pH to approximately 5.0–6.0 (using Citric Acid or Lactic Acid if necessary). For ThickClean™, the gel will typically thicken once the pH is adjusted to the appropriate range (usually around 6.0 for maximum clarity and thickness).
5. Preservation: Add Mild Preserved Eco™ and stir until well combined.

You can browse more options for thickening surfactant-based formulas in the Surfactant thickening category.