Fixing the Viscosity of Body Wash & Shampoo

Viscosity Correction for Body Washes and Shampoos
Sometimes as we add ingredients such as essential oils or tinctures to a wash or shampoo, it can become too thin or watery. To correct the viscosity and bring wash or shampoo back to a gel follow the instructions below!
Equipment You’ll Need
• Kitchen Scale
• Stick Blender or high shear mixer
Ingredients
• Xanthan Gum
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Fine Atlantic Sea Salt
• Deionized Water
• Phenoxyethanol
Directions
Too Thin
1. Weigh out the amount of Shampoo or Wash you are correcting and multiply by 2%
2. This will give you the amount of salt you can add. For example: if you have 5.28LBS of lotion the math would be 5.28 X 0.02 = .1056. So you could add up to .1056 LBS of salt. This may be enough to thicken your wash or shampoo back to a gel consistency, but it not there are additional steps you can take. Just be sure to never add more than 2% salt or you run the risk of thinning your wash or shampoo even further.
3. Another option if salt fails is to use Cocamidopropyl Betaine to thicken. Simply weigh out the amount of shampoo or wash you are trying to thicken and multiply by 1%. This will give you a starting point for adding Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Add 1% at a time until your wash is thickened.
4. If all else fails, you can add xanthan gum to thicken. Weigh out the amount of wash or shampoo you are trying to thicken and add 0.25% xanthan gum. It’s important to add the xanthan gum in a very specific way to avoid clumping. Begin by high shear mixing your wash with your stick blender. Slowly sprinkle in the xanthan gum while mixing. You may have to adjust your stick blender to increase speed as the wash or shampoo starts to thicken.
Too Thick
1. To thin down a Shampoo or Wash that’s too thick you will need Deionized Water and a preservative such as phenoxyethanol added at 1% to preserve your water. It’s important to use deionized water so that you don’t see any reaction between ingredients in your Shampoo or Wash and the minerals in tap water. Distilled water might be effective, but deionized water is preferred.
2. Weigh out the amount of Shampoo or Wash you are correcting and multiply by 1%
3. This will give you the amount of preserved deionized water you need to add. For example: if you have 5.28LBS of Shampoo or wash. the math would be 5.28 X 0.01 = .0528. So you would need .0528 LBS of preserved water.
4. If your Shampoo or Wash is still too thick, repeat the process until it reaches the correct viscosity.
If you need additional help, please contact us at [e-mail] or 866-252-9639.

[@connieback7577]

(I was unable to find the “Xanthan gum” video.). I mixed 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan in 5 grams of olive oil, blended well, then added it to my “too thin” body wash-about 16-18 ounces. It’s a little thicker than I need but not too thick to enjoy. It definitely beats too thin. When using xanthan it is always best blended with oil first.

[@kasirojkt9245]

Unfortunately you didnt tell what gel you had before addin essential oil ?

[@ederazanussi2924]

I m smiling here 😂So much" Essential Oil " maybe carrier oil I am sure people confuse, fragrance oils and carrier oils with Essential oils.😂 Imagine to pour so much Essential Oil of Bulgarian Damascus Rose ( Otto Rosa Damascena) 😂It made me smile😅. You are the best teacher ever 👍🌹

[@setiabakti5930]

i prefer to add salt or xanthan gum or hpmc to thicken the liquid soap instead of adding CAPB, because CAPB can change the feel of its soap (become more slippery and hard to rinse)

[@raviprakashsinghmarkandeys1555]

Hi , do you have any idea how to make oil thick with xanthum gum?

[@dn9306]

@@raviprakashsinghmarkandeys1555 It is impossible. It requires water to form a gel.

[@awaiskhan9329]

Hi Plz tell me what can be the best chemical to thicken liquid dishwash?

[@setiabakti5930]

@@awaiskhan9329 u can use either salt (NaCl) or polymer, like xanthan gum, HEC, HPMC, CMC, etc. The easiest way i think by adding small amount of salt. The quantity depends on your overall formulation. It can be under 0.5% up to 2%. But, u have to make sure that your dishwash formula contains anionic surfactant when you use NaCl as thickening agent. Because ion from NaCl dissociation will bind the anionic surfactant then build up its consistency

[@setiabakti5930]

@@raviprakashsinghmarkandeys1555 you cannot thicken oil using this polymer. you have to use specific oil thickener (but i never try this before)

[@yodie5918]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. I thought essential oils became very irritating to the skin when one adds too much of it.

[@ashleykathleen85]

The salt was such an epic fail lol awesome video nonetheless 😊

[@IamAli89]

Hi :) nice demonstration really, how did you make the thick transparent gel that you experimented with ? The threshold for salt is not more than 2% but how much it would be for CAPB? Pls answer

[@helennaveen6782]

Can sodium laurate be used for thickening the shampoo?? Kindly tell the purpose of using sodium laurate in shampoos

[@deenflower8454]

Thank u very much for ur prompt answers. One more question, how about adding HEC(hydroxy ethyl cellulose) instead of xanthan gum as it's also a non ionic product and it's natural ryt bcs xanthan gum subsides the lather. Or if am using xantha gum then should i add some more quantity of surfactants in my shampoo?

[@sensimania]

Yes, you can use HEC, but it still has the ability to be watered down with ingredients just like xanthan gum (I've tried it). I know this comment is a year old, so you might've tried and tested it by now.

[@joyemery9384]

Can I ask what the proper usage rate of carrier oils and fragrance oil is in body wash recipes, so it doesn’t affect the foaming agents? I’ve done lots of research and can’t find the answer I’m looking for.

[@rohitdhawan311]

Can we rather add Xanthan Gum to the wash?

[@helenryan2073]

Hi, great video, thanks! I added Xanthum gum to my handwash (that I made with natural base & essential oils), but it didn't thicken, ended up adding heaps which did thicken it, but now a few days later, it's congealed and separated! Not sure what I've done wrong?!

[@IamAli89]

i have seen many videos that if you (separately add vegetable glycerin with Xanthan Gum, mix both of them well) and then add the mixture to your formulation. No separation will occur and it would thick really well.

[@MrJMont21]

What is the name of that stainless steel hand-mixer rod you were using? I prefer one of those to the stick blenders

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi there! The Lab Spatula we use can be found here: bit.ly/2StEOCJ

[@designappetite]

Hello, thank you for this video, i used cocamidoprpropyl to fix my shampoo it was great but it didn't work with the shampoo containing salicalic acid why? What can you recommend to fix the viscosity with the shampoo containing salicalic acid?

[@deenflower8454]

I mixed xanthan gum and got good results thanks but it made too many tiny bubbles making shampoo look ugly and it doesn't go off. Pls help !

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi Deen! The bubbles should be gone by now, as it is a temporary reaction. If you run into that issue again and would like to speed up the process you can gently heat the finished product or place it in a warm place.

[@furqanshuja4877]

Hey, just a quick question. What happens if I use less water in my shampoo? Is there a way to concentrate it? So that less amount of shampoo lasts longers

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

As long as your preservative is enough for you to add more water to that concentrate when you’re ready to us it.

[@bearbingham877]

New Sub🔥🔥🔥

[@masoodahmad9405]

Hello I made shampoo but after few days it separates. Could u please let me know the correct way what should I do?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Sorry, but without knowing your formula, it is tough for me to advise. Did you make sure you were using the surfactants based on their actives and recommended amounts? Did you make sure your chemical types were compatible (such as not using chloride with non-ionics). Have you tried adding xanthan gum to bring it back together?

[@masoodahmad9405]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial Please give me your what's app number or email address . I will share u my farmula and tell u the making process if u fixed the problem.

[@mikasasaha1396]

She doesn't answer the question why?

[@transformers1017]

hey,, only watched this now,,,, i need help.................i use cstile soap but it's very watery ,,,,,,,will i use salt to thicken it and if so, will it effect my hands?..................................am i able to use salt to thicken up shampoo base and if so, will that also effect the hair?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Adding salt shouldn’t have much of an effect on the hands or hair. This is a rinse out product so it isn’t on the skin or scalp long enough for the salt to have any negative effects.

[@transformers1017]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial OK thank you....... I made it with salt and all I could feel are salt on the hands, that rough crystals,,, what will I do to get rid of the salt.

[@kelleyspartiatis5323]

@@transformers1017 you need to heat it. You are always best to make a salt solution rather than pour the salt directly. Also is your liquid soap real Castille with 100% olive oil? Coconut oil liquid soap will not thicken with salt.

[@businesscompany9292]

Great

[@gerardooliveros915]

Quien me lo puede traducir

[@deenflower8454]

I added more cocomidopropyl betaine than my recipe required because it didnt thicken up and was runny but still it didn't do good ,it stands at the bottom of my shampoo. Pls let me know why is it so? And how can i fix it.should i heat it up in a double boiler?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hey Deen! Are you trying to thicken something you bought form us? If so, what product is it? There are many factors that could contribute to this, and if its from us, we would know the ingredients and can help fix the issue.

[@deenflower8454]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial no sis i made my own formula and i am struck with its thickness though the formula is good.

[@anamariabissoli5622]

Em poryugues

[@carnicearmstrong2338]

Hi! Great video. Is the amount of cocamidopropyl you use dependent on the amount of salt that’s in the solution? For example, if you skip the salt altogether, do you need as much cocamidopropyl?

[@asimnadeem500]

Hi medam can you teach us how to make body wash gel which you had in the jug thanks

[@freshlybakedwithallie]

What was the name of the additive you used after salt? It’s a hefty name that threw me off every time I heard it, I don’t even know where to start with attempting the spelling 😅

[@awaiskhan9329]

Hi I want to thicken liquid dishwash as its too watery. What is the best chemical to thicken it?

[@drana8937]

I cannot find a video on how to make my creamy liquid soap thinner, itś thick as lotion. lotion.. Maybe I will take some out and see if adding an FO helps.

[@pharmacosmaARSA]

That's crazy recipe without adjustment PH level and without normal range adding every raw material due to big problems like allergic and skin dryness

[@cuentaph2254]

can i mix hpmc and salt together in one solution?

[@aliyahyisrael932]

What surfactant was originally in this wash ?

[@hamadarashadawad9393]

Please writing ingredients and method of compounding in screen

[@HERBALNATURAL]

Nice 👍🏻 informative video!!!but I would love to know the chemistry 🧪 behind adding salt 🧂 and cocobetaine plus do you consider cocobetaine as natural????

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Salt thickens by reducing micelle charge density, helping to promote the conversion of spherical micelles to rod-shaped micelles. (The viscosity of a shampoo/wash depends on the size & structure of the micelles). You can use sodium or magnesium chloride. Cocamidoylpropyl betaine is zwitterionic. Zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants are surfactants that carry both a positive and a negative charge. Salt consists of both positive and negative charged ions. I would not consider any surfactant natural, but instead naturally-derived. Our Cocamidolypropyl Betaine is made from naturally-derived feedstock and to the best of our knowledge is nonGMO (www.essentialwholesale.com/product/1356/cocamidopropyl-betaine)

[@HERBALNATURAL]

Essential Wholesale & Labs thank you 🙏 so much for responding.lots of love 💓 and prayers

[@savvdogwhoofwhoof8646]

What kind of salt is it? Cheap table salt containing iodine, or sea salt, or some other kind of lab grade salt?

[@mykbarllc8447]

How do you get the soap transparent again?

[@sensimania]

Solubiliser. There are lots of different solubilisers out there such as propylene glycol (if natural ingredients isn't important), certain surfactants such as Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside. I tried it with the latter and it worked. Tip: mix the essential oils into the solubiliser before adding it all to the formulation (around a ratio of 1:3 or whatever the supplier advises)

[@natarecreations1990]

Great video! Itried to thicken a body was with salt. I was afraid to make a mistake so I stopped pouring. I understand now to keep pouring. Can salt be used to thicken store bought body washes too?

[@keithvel196]

If you add too small amount of salt your mixture will not get thick and too much salt make your soap liquidy also... if you dont have right amount of your main ingredients which is the surfactants ,your mixture turn too liquidy salt does nothing to bind with.. i already encountered this and its very hard to fix because im mixing 100liters of soap.. every day.. but i already got the right amount of everything.. hihi

[@natarecreations1990]

@@keithvel196 Thanks!

[@ryanwyrick6947]

Have you ever used Epsom salt?

[@abufarouq1]

Thank you and a great video شكرا لك وفيديو رائع

[@abdussamed107]

Can you make a video on how to make a bodywash from scratch

[@jonathannewbern5361]

Thank you for making this process simple!

[@IrfanMahmood64]

Just waste of time.

[@samekind8282]

How you can make this Gel

[@ryanwyrick6947]

What exactly is the salt solution that you speak of I'd rather not drop raw salt granules I'd rather use some kind of solution and I'm wondering if I can use aloe juice for the solution method

[@syeda6088]

Can you tell the simple gel recipe with gelatin?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi Kulsoom, I will do some experimenting and get back to you. I'm sure gelatin will work, I'm just not sure about the percentages.

[@syeda6088]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial ok plz upload as soon as possible...

[@SangBeVan-h7v]

Teach me how to thicken liquid organic fertilizer

[@ryanwyrick6947]

It's not instant sometimes it doesn't break down completely until the next day. And you don't need much at all I put about five to ten little drops pineapple oil in a 12oz bottle of mango scented shampoo and it turned into a cloudy watery substance. Same thing with laundry detergent it only took about three drops of Carnation essential oil to liquefy 4 oz of really thick laundry soap

[@jean-philippepollonais1104]

what's to stop the liquids from phase separating?

[@katerinaioannidou4323]

take out the oils. Shampoos suppose to clean the hair

[@nataliem7676]

What if you’ve already made your wash preservative and all and it’s too thin. Rather using Xanthan Gum, would I need to adjust my preservative as well or not because I’m technically not adding anymore water??

[@nancykelly9712]

Ok but is the salt causing the CB to thicken or would it thicken even if there wasn't any salt in it? CB it just a liquid surfactant so I don't understand why or what the reaction is that causes it to thicken?

[@jimkom5709]

What the purpose of this video, She said 2% salt max then CAPB !!! She doesn’t know Betaine has 5% min salt 🤔

[@AnkitGupta-wn4xx]

Hey, i have a quick question My product has PH value 13 And i need a thickening agent to increase the viscosity of the solution (Final Solution needs to be in liquid form only B-4 cup Viscosity 19 and not in gel form) Can you help regarding this?

[@juanitosorosorojr.7774]

How many Grams of xanthan powder mix the 7 liters of water? I need additional thicknes for my liquid soap. Thank you!.

[@priyankanandi7325]

Plz make a video on shampoo making

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

We'll be making one in the coming months! In the mean time you may enjoy these videos about modifying shampoo bases: Conditioning Natural Hair Shampoo >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5uvn3angM2NbZo Deep Cleansing Natural Hair Shampoo >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoPVoXlqq9GBqrs

[@石壮-b7e]

Is the initial transparent colloidal solution Xanthan gum solution

[@laureineazonkeusontia6765]

Add 2% of the overall product? Please I don't understand

[@ryanwyrick6947]

Have you ever used sea salt?

[@sadasf3306]

I want make product clear glue. Can or not in price very cheap . Can or not sir../ And in this clip i want to Recipe and ingredients. Can you give me or not?? Thank Bro

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Sadly we don't make glue, so we aren't able to properly advise on a recipe for that. Our apologies for any inconvenience!

[@Vani-hv4wp]

Adding some amount of water to the liquid improves transparency too..:)

[@marcopolo2159]

Thanks for your help ful video.

[@prasadkelkar5388]

Thanks for this great informative video

[@honybee3501]

what do you say about corbomer 940 powder?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hi Hony Bee, I personally love how carbomer works but it does get a bad rap in the natural and organic world so I don't use it very often. If you're not opposed to carbomer, it's a great choice.

[@nickismith9234]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial what is the gel you use is called and can it be use in body wash to loosen it .

[@nickismith9234]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial Can you make a video that show how to make body wash ?

[@kelleyspartiatis5323]

The problem with carbomer is the ph. If you're making a product that you want to be slightly acidic you're not going to do it with carbomer because it needs to be a higher ph to gel.

[@beccasbythebay]

have you tried using agar agar to thicken it?

[@beccasbythebay]

@Irfan Shabbir its a sea weed & natural thickener

[@Phillynative1738]

Can i use avacado oil or argan oil instead of an essential oil?

[@sweatydorritos]

did you find your answer

[@enusivavimary8363]

Thanks, Pls give me a tutorial on shampoo and conditioner.

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

What kind of tutorial are you looking for? One on fixing the viscosity?

[@CryptoFeeders]

HOW MUCH xanthan AS PART LIKE IN LITER HOW MUCH xanthan GUM POWDER?

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Weigh out the amount of wash or shampoo you are trying to thicken and add 0.25% xanthan gum. You will have to calculate this based on the weight of the product you are trying to thicken. See the video description for more details.

[@sivaprakash3832]

What happened if add more salt like 5% to 8%

[@EssentialLabsOfficial]

Hey Siva, When thickening wash, salt can only work to thicken to a certain point. Once you reach that max (peak) amount, the wash will start to thin and become watery. You can try 5-8%, but we recommend sticking with 3% or less to prevent it from getting too watery.

[@sivaprakash3832]

@@EssentialLabsOfficial thanks for advice I will keep below 3%

[@keithvel196]

Too much salt into ur mixture makes your soap liquid again because salt doesn't have something to bind with.. u need to add more of your main ingredients.. actually salt, coco,and the xantan gum are commonly used for cleaning materials, harmful for the skin.. too much chemical s

[@mariehuana5683]

Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful. My Question: is the 2% salt inklusive in the formula? Or do you make first the formula with 100% and then plus 2 grams salt? Sorry for the question, I dont understand english very much...Greetings from Germany, Marie

[@setiabakti5930]

the 2% salt must include in the formula. in the 1st trial, you may make 100% formula without salt because you dont know how much salt do you need, right? then you add little by little salt into the formula until you find the proper quantity of salt that you need (based on the consistency that you want on your soap) in 2nd trial, add this 2% salt in the formula but you have to reduce 2% water. you have make sure that total formula is 100%. use this 2nd formula if you want to scale up or making soap in large quantity

[@ChannelThanuri]

@@setiabakti5930 how will be the pH of final product ?

[@setiabakti5930]

@@ChannelThanuri pH in the final formula doesn't change significantly just because the addition of salt (as long as it still low quantity)

[@MuhammadNaeem-js6mz]

I am new subscriber. How can preserve harbel shampoo for 1 year minimum. With best quality maintain.

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Complete nonsense. Brrrr!

[@homoerotic85]

Yes!! Thanks so much for this video!! Just what I was looking for! :-)