Shower Cream Formulation Guideline

To create a shower cream, you will need to combine the soap bases with other ingredients to achieve the desired texture, feel, and stability. A basic formulation structure would include:

1. Water Phase:

   • Water: The main solvent.
   • Potassium Cocoate (30%): Provides good foaming and cleansing efficiency. Can be used at a rate suitable for your desired cleansing strength.
   • Potassium Laurate (30%): Acts as a detergent for skin cleansing. Can be used at a rate suitable for your desired cleansing strength.
   • Thickeners: Ingredients like Carbomers, Xanthan Gum, or synthetic polymers are used to increase viscosity and create the creamy texture of a shower cream.
   • Conditioning Agents: Glycerin, Panthenol, or other humectants and emollients can be added to help moisturize the skin and reduce dryness often associated with cleansing.

2. Oil Phase (Optional, for added richness/emollience):

   • Small amounts of oils or esters can be incorporated, but this requires emulsifiers to blend properly with the water phase.

3. Additives:

   • pH Adjuster: Citric Acid or Lactic Acid is typically used to lower the pH to a skin-friendly range (usually between 5.5 and 6.5).
   • Preservative: Essential to prevent microbial growth and ensure product safety and shelf life. Choose a broad-spectrum preservative suitable for rinse-off products.
   • Fragrance: For scent (optional).
   • Colorant: For desired color (optional).

General Steps:

1. Combine the water and disperse the thickener if it requires hydration.
2. Add Potassium Cocoate and Potassium Laurate to the water phase and mix gently until uniform. Avoid excessive mixing that creates too much foam.
3. Add conditioning agents and other water-soluble additives.
4. Adjust the pH to the desired range (e.g., 5.5-6.5) using a pH adjuster.
5. Add preservative, fragrance, and colorant, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
6. Check the final viscosity and adjust if necessary with more thickener or water.

Remember that the exact percentages of Potassium Cocoate and Potassium Laurate, as well as other ingredients, will depend on the specific properties you want in your final shower cream (e.g., foam level, viscosity, skin feel). Starting with lower percentages and adjusting is recommended.