Handwash Formulation
Ingredient Percenta Purpose For 1L
ge (%)
Cocamidopropyl Betaine 5.0% Mild surfactant, 50 ml
(CAPB) or Coco Betaine foaming agent
Decyl Glucoside 5.0% Non-ionic surfactant, 50 ml
gentle cleanser
Glycerine 3.0% Moisturizer, humectant 30 ml
Xanthan Gum 0.5% Thickening agent 5g
Potassium Sorbate 0.5% Preservative 5g
Sodium Benzoate 0.5% Preservative 5g
Aloe Vera Extract 1.0% Skin soothing and 10 ml
conditioning
Rose Bioenzyme + Water 84.5% Base liquid medium 845 ml
(1:1) OR DM Water
Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Benefits
Natural Extract Recommended Key Antimicrobial Properties
Percentage (%)
Neem Extract 0.5 - 1.5% Strong antibacterial, antifungal,
and antiviral.
Tulsi (Holy Basil) Extract 0.5 - 1.0% Antibacterial, enhances skin
protection.
Tea Tree Extract 0.3 - 0.8% Powerful antibacterial and
antifungal action.
Lemongrass Extract 0.3 - 1.0% Antimicrobial, antifungal, and
deodorizing.
Turmeric Extract 0.2 - 0.5% Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) 0.5 - 1.0% Rich in Vitamin C, antioxidant,
Extract antimicrobial.
Essential Oils for Added Antimicrobial Effect (Use in small amounts, as too
much can cause irritation)
Essential Oil Recommended Percentage Key Benefits
(%)
Lavender Oil 0.2 - 0.5% Antibacterial, soothing.
Peppermint Oil 0.2 - 0.5% Antimicrobial, cooling.
Clove Oil 0.1 - 0.3% Strong antibacterial and antifungal.
Eucalyptus Oil 0.2 - 0.5% Antibacterial, antiviral.
Cinnamon Oil 0.1 - 0.3% Potent antibacterial and antifungal.
How to Incorporate These Extracts
● Water-Soluble Extracts (e.g., Neem, Tulsi, Amla) → Can be added directly to the
aqueous phase.
● Oil-Soluble Extracts & Essential Oils → Should be emulsified or solubilized before
adding to the handwash base.( with decyl and coco glucosides)
Detailed Mixing Procedure for Handwash Formulation
Ingredients & Their Functions
Before we begin, let’s categorize the ingredients based on their solubility:
✅ Water-Soluble Ingredients:
● Aloe vera extract
● Rose bioenzyme & water OR DM water
● Xanthan gum (pre-hydrated with glycerine)
● Preservatives (Potassium sorbate & Sodium benzoate)
✅ Oil-Soluble Ingredients (Require Emulsification):
● Essential oils (if used)
● Any oil-soluble natural extract
✅ Surfactants (Help with Foaming & Emulsification):
● Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)
● Decyl glucoside (or Coco glucoside)
Step-by-Step Mixing Procedure
1. Pre-Hydration of Xanthan Gum (Thickener)
● Take a separate mixing vessel and add 3% Glycerine.
● Slowly sprinkle 0.5% Xanthan gum over glycerine while stirring continuously.
● Stir well until a smooth gel is formed (this prevents clumping).
● Set this aside for 10-15 minutes to fully hydrate.
2. Preparing the Water Phase
● In the main mixing vessel, add:
○ Rose bioenzyme & water mixture (or DM water) (about 83.5% or as balance)
○ Aloe vera extract (1%)
○ Preservatives (Potassium sorbate 0.5% + Sodium benzoate 0.5%)
● Stir continuously at a moderate speed to ensure complete dissolution.
3. Emulsifying the Oil Phase
● In a separate small mixing container, take:
○ Decyl glucoside or Coco glucoside (5%)
○ If using essential oils or oil-soluble extracts (like tea tree, lemongrass, or
neem oil), add 0.2-0.5% of your chosen essential oil.
● Stir vigorously or use a high-speed homogenizer to create a fine emulsion.
● This ensures oils are evenly distributed without floating on top.
4. Adding the Surfactants to the Main Vessel
● Slowly pour the emulsified surfactant blend (from Step 3) into the water phase (from
Step 2), stirring gently to avoid excessive foaming.
● Next, add 5% Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) and mix gently until the solution
becomes uniform.
5. Incorporating the Hydrated Xanthan Gel
● Gradually add the hydrated xanthan gum & glycerine mix (from Step 1) into the main
batch.
● Stir at low to medium speed to prevent excessive air incorporation.
● Keep stirring until the mixture reaches a smooth and uniform consistency.
6. Adjusting pH (If Needed)
● Check the pH using a pH meter. Ideally, the pH should be around 5.0 – 6.0 for skin
compatibility.
● If pH is too high, adjust by adding Citric Acid (0.1% solution dropwise).
● If pH is too low, adjust with a small amount of Sodium Bicarbonate solution (0.1%
solution dropwise).
7. Final Mixing & Quality Checks
● Mix gently for 5-10 minutes until everything is well combined.
● Check for clarity, viscosity, and foaming properties.
● Allow the formulation to settle for 12-24 hours to remove air bubbles.
8. Packaging
● Once the formulation is stable, fill it into bottles or dispensers.
● Label the bottles with ingredient details, usage instructions, and expiration date.
Final Notes
● Always use deionized water or filtered water to avoid contamination.
● Keep the mixing temperature below 40°C to preserve the bioactives.
● Conduct stability tests before mass production.
