Suggested Adjustments for Your Liquid Body Wash Formula

Your current formula provides a good base for a gentle liquid body wash using a combination of mild surfactants, humectants, a solubilizer, thickener, and preservative. Here are some suggestions for adjustments, depending on your desired final product characteristics:

Current Formula Analysis:

• Surfactants: The combination of Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco Glucoside, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine offers good cleansing while being gentle on the skin and providing nice foam.
• Humectants: Glycerin and Natural Betaine help to moisturize the skin and reduce potential irritation from surfactants.
• Thickener: SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate) is suitable for thickening this type of surfactant system.
• Preservative: Phenoxyethanol SA (Optiphen Plus) is a broad-spectrum preservative.

Suggested Adjustments:

1. Preservation: Your current preservative level (Phenoxyethanol SA at 0.5%) is on the lower side of the recommended range (0.5-1.25%). For better long-term stability and protection against microbial growth in a product used in a wet environment like a shower, consider increasing Phenoxyethanol SA to 1.0%. This is generally recommended for products in closed containers.

2. Viscosity: If you desire a thicker body wash, you can increase the amount of SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate). The recommended usage rate is 1-5%, so you can increase it from 2% up to 5% gradually to achieve the desired viscosity. SugarThick is known to work well with the surfactants in your formula.

3. Mildness and Skin Feel (Optional): You have a good amount of Glycerin and Natural Betaine for moisturizing. If you want to further enhance the moisturizing feel and reduce potential irritation, you could consider slightly increasing Natural Betaine from 2% up to 5%. Natural Betaine is known for its moisturizing properties without the stickiness sometimes associated with higher levels of Glycerin.

4. Fragrance Solubilization: Ensure that 3% Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) is sufficient to keep your specific fragrance oil fully dissolved and the formula clear. If you notice cloudiness after adding the fragrance, you may need to slightly increase the percentage of Polysorbate 20.

Summary of Potential Changes:

• Increase Phenoxyethanol SA (Optiphen Plus): From 0.5% to 1.0%
• Increase SugarThick (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate): From 2% up to 5% (if higher viscosity is needed)
• Increase Natural Betaine: From 2% up to 5% (optional, for enhanced mildness/moisture)
• Adjust Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20): If needed for fragrance clarity.
• Adjust Water: Decrease accordingly based on the increase in other ingredients.

Always make adjustments gradually and test the stability and performance of your revised formula.