How do you make shampoo formulas for different hair types?

How many ways can you make a mask formula

 

Different hair types have different cleansing needs, which means different hair types will need shampoo formulas specific to their hair concerns. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to shampoo formulas, so here is a handy guide on how to adjust shampoo formulas to suit varying needs of consumer hair types.

 

Before you start: how natural (or organic) does your shampoo formula need to be?

There are a lot of different surfactants (the foaming and cleansing agents used in shampoos) out there – and not many of them are all natural or naturally derived. Even the ones you may think are all natural, like cocamidopropyl betaine, are in fact partially synthetic.


Creating organic formulas that can be certified organic is more than just adding a few organic ingredients! When you want to create a shampoo formula to be certified organic, there are very strict compositional guidelines you need to comply with, in order for it to be certified.


If you want to create:

  • organic shampoo formulas: make sure you are subscribed to the create cosmetic formulas organic program and choose the shampoo formula build. The program will guide you on your ingredient inputs for organic compliance requirements without you needing to conduct the tricky calculations. There will be some input and ingredient restrictions to ensure your shampoo formula can be certified organic.
  • all natural shampoo formulas: if being natural is important, but being certified organic is not, make sure you are subscribed to the skincare and haircare version of the create cosmetic formulas program, and choose the shampoo – all natural formulation build to get started. There will be some ingredient limitations to ensure your shampoo formula is all natural.
  • the largest variety of shampoo formulas: using natural, organic and some partially-natural ingredients, make sure you are subscribed to the skincare and hair care version of the create cosmetic formulas program and choose the shampoo formula build. This formula build will give you the greatest flexibility with best performance results so is recommended for salon quality results.

 

How to create shampoo formulas for oily hair types

Oily hair needs the strongest clean, but this doesn’t mean it should be stripped dry either! Using the right combination of cleansing materials in the right inputs will ensure you get an effective clean without causing undue drying or damage to the hair. Adjust your shampoo formulas to suit oily hair:

  • using the maximum (or near the maximum) recommended input for your anionic and amphoteric surfactants – the program will guide you in the ‘maximum’ inputs recommended specific to the type of cleansing agent you pick, as they all have different input requirements
  • if your budget allows, use the maximum (or close to the maximum) recommended input of a non-ionic surfactant as well. The program will guide you with choices, so you don’t need to worry about classifying the surfactant, just pick from the list provided!
  • don’t add extra oil – leave the input of lipids (oils & butters) at zero
  • use the mid-point input for your humectant and herbal extracts – oily hair still needs hydration, but not oil
  • if you want to add some conditioning additives, use a low input of polyquaternium agents or superfatting agents – one or the other, not both
  • if your budget allows, use actives recommended for oily hair types

Get inspiration from our video:

 

How to create shampoo formulas for normal hair types

Normal hair needs regular cleansing to bring out the best shine. Adjust your shampoo formulas to suit normal hair:

  • use the mid-points on all surfactant selections – the program will guide you on what is the mid-point for the different surfactant ingredients you select
  • use a polyquaternium agent at the mid-point input for conditioning benefits, and add a superfatting agent if your budget allows
  • use a low input of lipids (oils & butters) – normal hair doesn’t need a lot of extra oil, its already balanced
  • humectants and added extras can be used from mid-point to maximum recommended input; they won’t weigh the hair down and will boost hydration

 

How to create shampoo formulas for dry and damaged hair types

Dry and damaged hair needs more gentle cleaning, but still needs excess oils and styling products washed effectively away. Adjust your shampoo formulas to suit dry hair:

  • using the minimum recommended input of surfactants
  • add superfatting agents if your budget allows for it – if your budget is tight, don’t use the non-ionic surfactants and use a superfatting agent in its place. The program will guide you on each choice, so you don’t need to know what is a non-ionic surfactant or what is a superfatting agent to make the right selections – just look for the categories listed and make your selections from the program prompts
  • add polyquaternium agents at their mid-point up to their maximum. These will help detangle and condition the hair
  • use the mid to maximum input amounts for the humectants and herbal extracts – these will add great hydration to the hair
  • choose hydrolysed proteins and/or actives to help restructure and repair the hair

Get inspiration from our video:

 

How to make salon quality shampoo formulas

Salon quality shampoo formulas should have the best possible performance. They need to clean effectively for the different hair types whilst ensuring the hair is cared for according to its needs. You can get tips from the above hair types, but remember, these products cost more than supermarket shampoos because they should contain the additional ingredients more budget products can’t afford to have! As a result, they should work far better, which means adding extras like superfatting agents and active ingredients to ensure outstanding performance.

  • using the recommended input of surfactants for the hair types according to its needs (as listed in the previous sections)
  • make sure superfatting and/or polyquaternium agents are used to adequately condition and care for the hair. These will help improve after wash off feel and condition of the hair as it dries
  • make sure humectants and herbal extracts (from added extras) are selected to suit your marketing story and hair type
  • choose hydrolysed proteins and/or actives carefully to get the best performance

Get inspiration from our video:

 

Well, there you go, that is how to adapt shampoo formulas using the create cosmetic formulas program to suit a variety of hair types and product needs! Remember to follow each type of shampoo with a conditioner that suits specific hair needs, and use a hair mask or repairing hair serum to make the most of your hair care routine.

Get inspiration from our videos:

Now its over to you, to get creating…

 

Create shampoo formulas confidently with the Create Cosmetic Formulas program – and always get a formula that works!

 

Haven’t tried the create cosmetic formulas program yet? Enjoy it RISK FREE for 24 hours, to see how easy it can make formulating for you. Register here and get creating cosmetic formulas straight away!