Formulation Feedback for Shampoo/Liquid Soap

Your proposed formula for a top-to-toe shampoo/liquid soap is a good starting point, especially for normal skin, as the staff reply indicated. The combination of surfactants like Lauryl Glucoside (Plantacare 1200), Coco-Betaine, and Lamesoft PO should provide effective yet mild cleansing.

However, for long hair that tends to tangle easily, you may want to enhance the conditioning properties of the formula. While Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E offer some moisturizing benefits, they are not primary detangling agents.

To address hair tangling and improve combability, consider adding a dedicated conditioning ingredient. Here are a few options that can be suitable for shampoo formulations:

• Poly-Conditioner Pro (Polyquaternium-10): This ingredient is a popular choice for silicone-free formulas. It helps to coat the hair, making it feel soft and smooth and easier to comb. It also contributes to the viscosity of the product. A typical usage rate in shampoo is 0.2-0.5%.
• Hair-Cond™ SM (Small Particle Dimethicone Emulsion): This is a silicone-based conditioner designed to improve dry combability and reduce tangling. It can be easily incorporated into water-based formulas. Use at 0.5-1.5% in shampoo.
• Cola-Cond™ (Cocamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate): This cationic conditioner helps soften both hair and skin and has good substantivity, meaning it stays on the hair/skin surface longer to provide conditioning benefits. It can be used at 0.1-3.0%.

Adding one of these ingredients at the recommended usage rate should significantly help reduce tangling in long hair. You might need to experiment with the percentage to find the level of conditioning you prefer.

Regarding the surfactant levels (Plantacare 1200 and Coco-Betaine), the staff's suggestion to potentially reduce them if you don't have oily skin is also valid. Higher surfactant levels provide stronger cleansing, which might be more than necessary for normal skin and could potentially contribute to dryness or increased tangling if too harsh.

Ensure your pH adjustment with Citric Acid is accurate to the 4.5-5.5 range, as this is optimal for both skin and hair health and helps the conditioning agents work effectively. Phenoxyethanol is a suitable preservative for this type of product, and Lavender Oil adds fragrance.

In summary, your base formula is sound. For long, tangle-prone hair, incorporating a conditioning agent like Poly-Conditioner Pro, Hair-Cond SM, or Cola-Cond is recommended. Adjusting surfactant levels based on your specific skin needs is also a good consideration.