Call Us On: +44 (0)161 6292129
Harke Group logo

Formulation Corner – SLS/SLES Free Shampoos

Posted by Chemlink in Personal Care Products | 0 comments

Over the years, the technical department here at Chemlink have developed several generations of both traditional and SLS/ SLES Free Shampoo systems. As the market trend continues to bend ever closer towards SLS/ SLES free shampoos, we pride ourselves by being at the cutting edge of the latest formulations with the basket of surfactants that we can use to provide only the very best.

shampoo products

Our most recent generation of these shampoos have been carved open to see how they tick and what effects they have on the formulation, in this edition of formulation corner.

Miranol Ultra C32 (Sodium Cocoamphoacetate) is the traditional mild primary surfactant in the bulk of our formulations. Approved by ECOcert, it helps boast the green factor that consumers desire in the modern market place. Miranol Ultra C32 also offers an exceptional foam boosting and stabilising profile, whilst aiming to help limit the irritancy potential of other surfactants that could possibly be used in formulations.

For secondary surfactants, Chemlink have a broad range of options included in the list below from Clariant, Solvay and Sinerga:

  • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
  • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
  • Sodium Oleyl N-Methyl Taurate
  • Coco Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
  • Sodium Lauryl Oat Amino Acids
  • Undecylenoyl Oat Amino Acids

These surfactants offer a range of viscosities and foam styles, but remain uniform in the ultra low irritancy profiles they all posses whilst remaining crystal clear in formulation. This can help us provide you with a near bespoke formulation with which to start on.

As a tertiary surfactant, Chemlink typically use for a medium chain betaine; although other surfactants such as sultaines, hydroxysultaines and longer chain betaines can be used. This helps provide a boost in viscosity as well as acting as a stabiliser for foam heights. Typically, they choose Mackam CET (Cetyl Betaine) or Coco-betaine in formulation.

Sometimes, SLS/ SLES Free Shampoos leave the hair and skin feeling dry to the consumer. Chemlink have a solution, whilst also offering an improved conditioning effect in the formulation. We add a small amount of Vegequat (Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein) which also helps to boost the foam. Vegequat is also currently under the microscope to gain ECOcert approval.

Once all has been selected (including fragrance and preservation system) and chosen it is a simple method of production, making scale-ups to the plant more easier than some formulations available. To create a viscous product, Chemlink’s formulations add a small amount of Citric Acid to lower the pH to between 5 and 7 depending on the anionic used

Although unnecessary, additional viscosity modifiers, such as grades of Jaguar and other synthetic thickeners, can be added to help boost this even further.

Unlike, most pearlisers on the market contain SLS or SLES, Chemlink can offer SLS/SLES free high active pearliser concentrates for your formulation.

To see these formulations, or receive samples of any of the above products, please contact us.

Comments are closed.