Today I will be showing you a shampoo formula. This was requested by a member of our Facebook group (please join us if you haven’t already). Again I am playing the catch-up game, I am super late publishing this Chamomile and Lemon Balm Shampoo formula.

The shampoo is a tiny bit more complex than before but if you follow the steps, you’ll get a lovely product without issues.

INGREDIENTS

I used various surfactants. I feel the best results are always when you mix surfactants. While I understand the simpler the better theory, blending can create a great synergy. The formula has anionic (SCI), non-ionic (Decyl glucoside but you can choose Coco-glucoside) and amphoteric (Cocamidopropyl betaine) surfactants. SCI is super in liquid formulas, but we will need to heat it in order to incorporate it.

The conditioning element is a guar derivative: guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. This is a cationic version of guar gum so make sure you check the INCI when purchasing. Other forms of guar will behave differently.

You will notice that I reduce the pH of the phase when adding guar because this type of guar gum needs an acidic environment to hydrate. I have included a photo guide below so you can see what you need to look for. It won’t create a thick gel, we are not using that much gum. If you feel this step is too complex, just leave it since we are adjusting the pH at the end anyway (although we are not going under pH5). I am sharing the exact method because this works for me.

I also used Panthenol, an ingredient I always use in hair care, and Vege-keratin (INCI: hydrolyzed wheat protein, sodium benzoate). You can use other water-soluble extracts of your choice.

I didn’t use essential oils, instead, I added hydrosols to soothe the scalp and give a subtle scent. Other options can be rosemary, peppermint, neroli or rock rose.

I hope you will like this formula and please let me know in the group if you make it.