Shampoo

General information

Easy-lathering general purpose adult shampoo formulated for all types of hairs, to wash hair and scalp.

In addition to the specification, other items may be considered (with effects on cost). To be defined by the requester according to local regulation for positive and negative lists of ingredients, and to local cultural habits. These are:

• Perfume: Is usually an expensive ingredient. Watch local taste and acceptance. Cheap perfumes are often skin sensitizers and can initiate allergies. Common shampoos may contain up to approximately 1%.

• Colourants: Can be an expensive ingredient. Should be selected according to local tastes and beliefs.

• Additives: Beyond conditioning agents, additives are usually added for marketing purpose and have little or no effect. They may be important for the image of quality and efficacy perceived by the user ("do good" ingredients).

• Preservatives: Watch micro-bacteriological quality specifications. Requires specialist input in formulating and testing.

• Antioxidants: Usually unnecessary.

Information on the main specification items:

• Anionic surfactant is the main washing ingredient. Its origin and specification should be available for scrutiny by a specialist. Sodium lauryl ether sulphate SLES is mostly available as a 70 % water thick viscous gel. The 100 % pure gel is too thick to be used in shampoo manufacturing. Formulation specifies the grade in % that is used. Common shampoos may contain up to approximately 12% to 18%.

• Non-ionic surfactant is also a washing agent, although in rough circumstances it could be taken out of formulation. Usually more expensive than anionic component. The formulation normally refers to a commercial grade that indicates the concentration in water solution. Common shampoos may contain up to approximately 2% to 6%.

• Amphoteric surfactants are often used as substitute for nonionic surfactants in personal care and household cleaning products that are in regular contact with skin or hair (such as shampoos, dishwash liquids and household liquid cleaners) because they are milder to skin and hair than the other classes of surfactants (anionic, cationic and nonionic). Amphoteric surfactants have the characteristics of both anionic and cationic surfactants and are compatible with both types. They behave according to the type of surfactant present in the higher concentration (main surfactant). Two classes of ingredients are particularly in use: betaines and aminoxydes. They are also known as "Zwitterionics". They behave like anionics in high pH solutions (alcanine pH> 7) and like cationics in low pH solutions (acidic pH< 7).

• The hair conditioning agent helps hair combing and minimizes entangling. It is preferable to have it whenever possible. It is always a proprietary ingredient. Common shampoos may contain up to approximately 1%.

• Sodium chloride is a viscosity builder. Its concentration is usually adjusted at the production stage. The formulation percentage is only indicative.

• Citric or other organic acids are pH regulators. They are added at the production stage in the appropriate quantity to obtain the required pH.

Some specifications may vary to meet national regulations and local market conditions. For locally sourced items, it is a prerequisite to check the relevant national regulations or specifications. Any important variation from the EIC standard needs to be approved by a specialist.

Specifications

Easy-lathering general purpose adult shampoo formulated for all types of hairs, to wash hair and scalp. The product must be safe under normal conditions of use.