Shampoo Formulation with Sulfate Free Base

Your proposed formulation using Sulfate Free Shampoo Base, Poly-Conditioner Eco, Vitamin B5 Lite, preservative, and salt, with herbal water, appears correct based on the percentages you've outlined and the typical usage rates for these ingredients.

Your calculations for a 1000g batch are also correct:

• Sulfate Free Shampoo Base: 30% = 300g
• Water mixed with herbs: 66% = 660g
• Poly-Conditioner Eco: 3% = 30g
• Vitamin B5 Lite (Panthenol): 0.5% = 5g
• Preservative: 1% = 10g
• Salt: 0.5-1.5% = 5-15g

Adding salt is the correct way to adjust the viscosity (thicken) the Sulfate Free Shampoo Base. Start with a lower percentage (like 0.5%) and add more gradually until you achieve the desired thickness, as too much salt can decrease viscosity.

As the staff reply you included mentioned, the most critical factor in this formulation is the use of water mixed with herbs. If the herbal water is not properly sterilized, it can introduce microorganisms into the product, leading to spoilage even with the addition of a preservative. Preservatives work to inhibit microbial growth, but they cannot overcome a high initial microbial load from contaminated water.

Therefore, while your ingredient percentages and weights are correct, the stability and safety of the final product heavily depend on the microbial quality of your herbal water and the effectiveness of your chosen preservative in this specific formula. It is highly recommended to perform stability testing and microbial challenge testing on your finished product to ensure its safety and shelf life, especially when using natural ingredients like herbal extracts.

Ensure the preservative you choose is suitable for the pH range of your final shampoo and effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, yeast, and mold.