Thickening and Formulating a Clear Herbal Shampoo

Question

I am formulating a clear herbal shampoo with a pH of 4.81-4.86. The formula currently uses raw materials EMAL and SLS and is a clear liquid. I want to make it slightly thicker while maintaining its clarity and ensuring it is gentle on the scalp, does not harm the herbal properties, and does not leave a film on the scalp. How can I thicken the shampoo while keeping it clear? What preservative should be used? Is Citromask (ID 1501) needed in this formula? Is a fragrance fixative like Flora Fix (ID 1631) necessary for the scent to last?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Subject: Re: Herbal Shampoo Formulation

Regarding your herbal shampoo formula with a pH of 4.81-4.86, which is currently a clear liquid, you are looking for a clear gel thickener to slightly increase its viscosity.

Based on the staff's response:

For easy thickening and maintaining a clear texture, EasyThick (ID 1042) or SugarThick (ID 510) are recommended.
If cost is a primary concern, ClearClean (ID 511) is suggested as an alternative.
The staff also noted that for a gentle shampoo that doesn't irritate the scalp, it's advisable to avoid sulfate-based cleansing agents like EMAL and SLS, which are present in your current formula.

Regarding your other questions:

Preservative: A preservative is necessary for this type of product. However, the staff response did not specify which preservative to use. You would need to select a suitable preservative based on your formula's composition and desired properties.
Citromask (ID 1501): The staff response did not mention the use of Citromask, so I cannot advise on whether it should be used in this formula.
Fragrance Fixative (Last Fix/Flora Fix ID 1631): A fragrance fixative is needed to help the scent last longer. The staff response mentioned the need for a fragrance fixative but did not recommend a specific "Last Fix" product. The URL you provided for "Last Fix" points to "Flora Fix" (ID 1631).