Reviewing a Shampoo Ingredient List for Formulation Feasibility
Question
Please review the following list of ingredients and advise if they can be used to make a shampoo:
- Sodium Sulfate Sodium
- Stearic Acid
- Water
- Dai Cumin Extract
- Glyceryl stearate (SE)
- Cocoampho acetate Na
- Perfume
- Bakuhashi Ashibitori Leaf Oil
- Lemon Oil
- Iran Oil Iran
- Lecithin
- Fractionated Coconut Oil
- Wasabinoki Leaf
- Dextrin
- Gardenia Yellow
Answer
Regarding the shampoo formula you provided:
This list contains many ingredients that are commonly used in shampoo formulations, such as mild surfactants (Cocoamphoacetate Sodium), thickeners (Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Dextrin), conditioning agents (Fractionated Coconut Oil, Soy Lecithin), botanical extracts (Dai Cumin, Moringa Leaf), fragrance (Lemon Oil, Perfume), and colorant (Gardenia Yellow). Water is also the necessary base.
However, based on the list provided, it appears to be missing some essential components required for a functional shampoo:
- Primary Surfactant: While Cocoamphoacetate Sodium is a good co-surfactant for mildness and foam boosting, a primary cleaning surfactant (like Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, or a non-sulfate alternative) is typically needed to effectively clean hair and scalp. The term "โซเดียมซัลเฟตโซเดียม" (Sodium Sulfate Sodium) is unclear and might be a typo or refer to Sodium Sulfate, which is a filler/viscosity modifier, not a primary cleaner.
- Preservative: Any water-based product requires a preservative system to prevent microbial growth and ensure safety and shelf life. This is crucial and is not listed.
- pH Adjuster: Shampoos need to be formulated within a specific pH range (typically slightly acidic) to be gentle on the scalp and hair cuticle. Ingredients like Citric Acid are commonly used to adjust pH, and this is missing from the list.
Additionally, some ingredients are unclear or potentially mistranslated, such as "น้ำมันใบไม้ Bakuhashi Ashibitori" (Bakuhashi Ashibitori Leaf Oil) and "อิหร่านน้ำมันอิหร่าน" (Iran Oil Iran). These would need proper identification to understand their role and suitability.
In summary, while many of the listed ingredients are suitable for use in shampoo, this list is not a complete formula. It requires the addition of a primary surfactant (unless clarified), a preservative, and a pH adjuster, as well as clarification on the unidentified ingredients, to be a functional and safe shampoo.
