Teach Soap

This time I used 8% plantapon and 5% coco. bet. along with aloe, bamboo extract and horse chestnut extract. Needed 5% crothix to thicken it because of the low % of surfactants. Seems pretty nice, should get a review tomorrow!

The first batch was too thick, hubby has trouble getting it out of the bottle, and off his hands. Makes his hair SO soft and silky though!

Using family to test my surfactant combinations, figure its the best way to nail the right combinations!

If you guys have any suggestion for surfactant combinations for me to try, please let me know!!!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Can't help you...Never made shampoo, but I'm learning lots from what you've been posting.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Wow. 5% Crothix. That's going to be expensive since Crothix is quite pricey isn't it? The Glucamate VLT I use is also pricey (and people wonder why sulfate free costs a lot more.)

For me, the question is whether to avoid salt thickening entirely, or not. You wouldn't be able to use salt thickening anyway on that mix, it wouldn't work. I can use salt thickening because the primary surfactant I use does work with that, but personally, I think, why am I developing a sulfate-free shampoo? To avoid having salts in it! Therefore I prefer to use a thickener.

I think you could up the surfactant %'s. The Plantapon is the expensive component of the two. Right now you're at 13% total concentration, I have tried working in those zones but I invariably want to increase it. Try 14% Plantapon and 7% Betaine for a total of 21% surfactants. The three plant extracts are great, I also use aloe vera in my shampoo because it's an excellent anti-inflammatory. You could add some glycerine at say 3 to 4% as a hydration aid, and panthenol at 2% if you've got some.

If you have any sodium cocoamphoacetate I'd use a triplet, say 10-7-4, (Plant-Bet-Coco) they tend to be synergistic. (Natura seem to have taken this all the way, if you check their label they seem to have a little of every non-sulfate surfactant that exists! However reviews say that it is watery and doesn't foam)

This is a clear shampoo? Are you having problems with fragrances? I only found a few fragrances that would make a crystal clear mix.

Best of luck with the formula. I have found that now I have been using sulfate-free for a while, using a store shampoo that has SLS in it sets my scalp on fire. At first it's not obvious what the benefit is - but when you go back, then you notice!

It is a daily use 2 in 1, which is why the surfactants are such a low %. It has 5% glycerin and 5% honeyquat as well. It also has 2% cetac, panthenol and cyclodimethicone.

The only problem is that it separated in the bottle and returned to a watery state.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I've just realised: What Plantapon are you using? I have LG Sorb which is the pure lauryl glucoside. I guess soapbuddy assumed you have the LGC or SF?

LGC Sorb

_________________
~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!