Top 5 Shampoo and Body Wash Surfactants
2024-12-30
This article introduces the Top 5 surfactants, they’re the best-used and widely applied surfactants available on the market.
Surfactants are cleaning agents. Their molecular structure has one end that is hydrophilic (water-attracting) and the other that is hydrophobic (oil-attracting), allowing them to dissolve dirt easily in water and achieve a cleaning effect.
1.INCI: Cocamidopropylamine oxide
Commonly referred to as: SLS/AES
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a classic anionic surfactant. Although it is very similar in properties to Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES), it is generally considered milder. It has excellent foaming and cleansing power, with a pH value (10% solution) ranging from 7.5 to 8.5. It contains 28-32% active matter. At room temperature, it is a pale yellow liquid, which solidifies into a white solid at low temperatures, but returns to liquid form when heated. It has a faint odor and is water-soluble.
Properties: Good foaming, thickening effect, and excellent cleansing power. It can be combined with other surfactants.
Usage and Applications: Add as needed based on foaming and cleaning requirements, typically in the range of 3-30%. Higher amounts may be used in bubble bath products. For external use only. It is suitable for body washes, shampoos, bubble baths, facial cleansing mousse, and other personal care products.
ShengQing Brand: SQ-SLES 70
2.INCI: Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Commonly referred to as: CAB
A very mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil, water-soluble, and weakly acidic (pH of 10% solution is 5-6). It contains 30% active matter and is a pale yellow liquid with no or very faint odor.
Properties: Extremely mild co-surfactant, compatible with anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants (can also be used as the primary surfactant). It has excellent cleaning and foaming abilities, as well as a certain thickening effect. It has outstanding conditioning and anti-static properties and moderate emulsifying capabilities.
Usage and Applications: Add as needed based on foaming and cleaning requirements, typically in the range of 4-40%. For external use only. It can be used in body washes, shampoos, facial cleansing mousse, hand soaps, baby care products, conditioners, and more.
ShengQing Brand: SQ-CAPB 35/45
3.INCI: Cocamidopropylamine oxide
Commonly referred to as: CAO
A very good nonionic foaming agent and foam stabilizer with excellent thickening properties that is not affected by hard water or acidity. It is compatible with anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants. It contains 32% active matter and has a pH value between 6-7.5. It is water-soluble and comes as a colorless or pale yellow liquid with no or a very faint odor.
Properties: Not only an excellent foaming agent, but also offers good thickening, stability, and conditioning effects. It is mild on the skin.
Usage and Applications: Typically recommended in a range of 1-5%. For external use only. It is suitable for soaps, shampoos, body washes, baby care products, bubble baths, shaving creams, and other personal care products.
4.INCI: Decyl glucoside
Commonly referred to as: APG
This is a mild nonionic surfactant made by synthesizing glucose derived from corn starch and decyl alcohol from coconut oil. It is water-soluble (pH of 10% solution is 11-12) and contains 50% active matter. It is a pale yellow, viscous liquid with no odor.
Properties: An extremely mild co-surfactant, compatible with all types of surfactants (can also be used as the primary surfactant). It has good surface tension properties, stabilizes foam, has low degreasing power but excellent moisturizing effects, and can improve the conditioning effects of cationic surfactants. It is highly skin-compatible, non-toxic, non-irritating, and biodegradable, making it an internationally recognized "green" functional surfactant.
Usage and Applications: Add as needed based on foaming and cleaning requirements, typically in the range of 2-50%. It can be used in body washes, shampoos, facial cleansing mousse, hand soaps, and other personal care products.
ShengQing Brand: SQ-APG 0814B55
