Liquid Soap Thickener Recommendations

It's understandable to be frustrated when your liquid soap doesn't thicken as expected! Generally, using salt to increase viscosity in liquid soap is only effective with certain types of liquid soap bases, particularly those containing Sulfate surfactants like SLS or SLES. If your base doesn't contain Sulfates or has other components that aren't compatible, salt may not thicken it or could even make it thinner. As for the avocado oil you added, it's a skin conditioning oil and does not function as a thickener.

To adjust the consistency of your liquid soap, you can use alternative thickeners. Based on your needs, here are a few suitable options:

• SugarThick™ (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate): This is a plant-derived thickener (from sugar) that has the advantage of being able to thicken almost all types of detergents, unlike some thickeners that only work with specific surfactant types. It can also help reduce irritation from harsh detergents. It provides a clear gel texture. To use, add it in the final step, potentially warming the formula or the SugarThick™ itself to 50-60°C before mixing. Recommended usage rate is 1-5%.
• FoamThix™ Liquid (PEG-150 Pentaerythritol Tetrastearate (and) PEG-6 Caprylic/ Caprylic Glycerides (and) Water): This thickener is specifically for shampoo or liquid soap formulas. It is non-ionic, making it compatible with all types of detergents. It can be used in clear formulas and gives a soft skin feel. It is of natural origin. To use, dissolve it in the water phase of your formula; heat can help speed up dissolution. Recommended usage rate is 1-5%.
• EasyThick™ (POLYOXYETHYLENE GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE): This thickener is easy to use and works in virtually every shampoo and liquid soap formula, providing a clear texture. To mix, dissolve it in water heated to 80°C first, or add it after mixing water and detergents and then heat the mixture to 80°C to melt the EasyThick™ into the formula. The usage rate is higher, typically 3-15%, depending on the desired thickness.

You can choose any of these options based on ease of use (some require heat) and the desired texture.