Shampoo Thickening Issues with Coco Glucoside and Sugar Thick

It sounds like you're working on a gentle shampoo formulation using Coco Glucoside and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, but you're not getting the desired viscosity with Sugar Thick. This can happen as the effectiveness of a thickener depends on the overall formulation, including the types and concentrations of surfactants used.

Coco Glucoside is a gentle non-ionic surfactant, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric co-surfactant that helps boost foam and can contribute slightly to viscosity, especially at certain pH levels. While Sugar Thick is listed as a compatible thickener for Coco Glucoside, other thickeners might provide better results or offer different properties.

Here are some alternative thickeners commonly used in shampoo and liquid soap formulations that you might consider:

• ClearClean™ (Acrylates Crosspolymer): This is a liquid thickener that is easy to use and provides a clear gel texture. It works well in a pH range of 4-6, which is suitable for shampoo. It can also help suspend particles if needed. Its thickening can often be boosted by adding a small amount of salt (Sodium Chloride).
• ThickClean™ (Acrylates Copolymer): Similar to ClearClean™, this is also an Acrylates-based liquid thickener suitable for shampoo. It provides a clear to medium-clear texture and works in a similar pH range (4-6). Like ClearClean™, its viscosity can be enhanced with salt.
• EasyThick ™ (POLYOXYETHYLENE GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE): This thickener is known for its ease of use and ability to thicken various shampoo and liquid soap formulas while maintaining clarity. Note that it typically requires heating to around 80°C to dissolve properly into the formula.
• CondThix™ SC96 (Polyquaternium-37 emulsion): This is a liquid thickener that also offers conditioning benefits for hair. It is very easy to use as it doesn't require heat and works over a wide pH range (3-12). It's compatible with non-ionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants like the ones you are using.

Recommendations:

1. Consider Alternative Thickeners: Based on your goal for increased viscosity, switching to a different thickener designed for shampoo systems like ClearClean™, ThickClean™, EasyThick ™, or CondThix™ SC96 is likely the most effective approach.
2. Check pH: The pH of your final shampoo can significantly impact the performance of both your surfactants and the thickener. Coco Glucoside has a high pH initially and needs adjustment. Cocamidopropyl Betaine's foam is best around pH 7, but many thickeners (like the Acrylates-based ones) work best in the pH 4-6 range, which is also ideal for the scalp and hair. Ensure your final pH is within a suitable range (typically 5-6.5 for shampoo) and see how it affects viscosity with your chosen thickener.
3. Experiment with Usage Rates: Start with the recommended usage rate for the new thickener and adjust as needed to achieve your desired viscosity.

Choosing the right thickener depends on your specific needs regarding clarity, ease of processing, desired feel, and budget. Experimenting with one or more of these alternatives should help you achieve better viscosity in your shampoo formulation.