Shampoo and Liquid Soap Thickeners Without Salt

Shampoo Thickeners Without Using Salt

Regarding the issue of shampoo not being thick enough and salt causing scalp itching, there are several thickeners that can be used as alternatives to salt. These substances work differently from salt and generally do not cause scalp irritation like salt can.

Salt (Sodium Chloride) is a common thickener used in shampoo formulas containing certain types of surfactants, such as SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) since salt helps to arrange the surfactant molecules to increase viscosity. However, using too much salt can lead to irritation.

There are several alternative thickeners that can be used without relying on salt. Each type has different properties and applications, depending on the type of primary surfactant in your shampoo formula, as well as the desired texture and clarity.

Interesting Alternative Thickeners

• EasyThick™ (POLYOXYETHYLENE GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE): This is an easy-to-use thickener that works with almost all types of surfactants in shampoo and liquid soap formulas. It provides a clear texture but requires heating to dissolve (around 80°C).
• SugarThick™ (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate): This ingredient is derived from plants (sugar) and can thicken a wide variety of surfactants. It also has the special property of helping to reduce irritation from harsh surfactants, making it suitable for natural and gentle formulas. It requires heating to dissolve (around 50-60°C) or warming separately before adding.
• ClearClean™ (Acrylates Crosspolymer) and ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer): These Acrylates Crosspolymer/Copolymer types are gel-forming agents that provide clarity and can suspend particles or beads in the formula. They work well in the pH range of 4-6, which is suitable for skin and hair. They are liquids, easy to use, and do not require heat for mixing, but high shear mixing should be avoided.
• Sepimax Zen (Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6): This is a thickener that is highly tolerant to salt and pH variations. It is used to create a gel texture in the water phase of a formula. It is a powder and is easy to use by sprinkling it into water and mixing.
• CondThix™ SC96 (Polyquaternium-37 emulsion): In addition to increasing viscosity, this ingredient also acts as a conditioner for hair and skin. It is easy to use, does not require heat, is tolerant to a wide range of salt and pH levels, and is compatible with formulas containing oils or silicones.

The most suitable thickener depends on the type of primary surfactant you are using in your shampoo formula. Each thickener works best with certain types of surfactants. If you can provide the primary surfactant ingredients in your formula, we can recommend the most suitable and effective thickener for your specific formulation.