Formulating at low pH with

Surfachem Products
Pat McDermott
About Surfachem…
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Formulating at low pH

The advantages
Formulating at low pH

The advantages
The advantages

• The skin’s natural pH = 4.0 – 5.5

• Low pH gives maximum efficacy to Organic acid preservatives such as
benzoic acid which are popular alternatives to traditional preservatives
• Acidic actives are used for gentle exfoliation of skin to reduce signs of
ageing
• Treatment and conditioning of the hair or skin
• Acid pH inhibits the growth of microorganisms and protects from skin
conditions such as acne
• Self tanning and skin brightening ingredients are inherently acidic
Formulating at low pH

The traditional challenges

The traditional challenges
• Difficult to create viscous emulsions and gel formulations

• Difficult to suspend insoluble ingredients

• Poor end product clarity

• Poor formulation texture and skin feel

• Poor aesthetics

• Poor stability of organic acid preservatives

• Poor solubility of active ingredients

Formulating at low pH

The solutions
Formulating at low pH
Rheology Modifiers from
Formulating at low pH
Preservatives from
Salicylates Paraben Free Preservatives
• Wide pH formulation capability (pH 3 – 10)

• Broad Spectrum activity

• High efficacy at acidic pH

• Excellent fungal and bacterial control

• Low toxicity profile.

• Dosage 0.5 – 2.0% active

• Global approval including North America, EU and Japan

Applications

Rinse off Leave on

• Shampoos • Creams

• Shower Gels • Lotions

• Body Washes • Emulsions

• Foam Baths • Gels

• Wet Wipes
Salicylates Paraben Free Product Range
Product INCI Name
Saliguard SP Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Saliguard COS Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorophenesin

Saliguard PIBC Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butyl Carbamate

Saliguard BDP Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid

Saliguard PCG Caprylyl Glyocol, Phenoxyethanol,Propylene Glycol

Saliguard BDHA Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid

Saliguard Ultima Sodium Benzoate, D-Glucono-1,5 Lactone

Saliguard PG Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

Saliguard CGZ Caprylyl Glycol, 1, 3 Propane Diol

Saliguard MIZ Methyl Isothizolinone, 1, 3 Propane Diol

Saliguard HDZ 1, 2 Hexanediol, 1, 2 Propanediol, Iodopropynyl Butyl Carbamate

Saliguard HDC 1, 2 Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorophenesin

Saliguard UCP Undecylenic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Phenoxyethanol

Saliguard UZB Undecylenic acid, 1, 3 Propanediol, Benzyl alcohol

Saliguard EHG Ethylhexylglycerin

Saliguard SP
• INCI - Sodium Benzoate & Potassium Sorbate

• Excellent protection at pH 5.5

• 0.5 – 1.5% typical addition

• Stable up to 80°C

• Saliguard SP is liquid, pale in colour and odourless and compatible with

diverse range of products in formulations
Saliguard Ultima
• INCI - D-Glucono 1,5 – Lactone, Sodium Benzoate and Calcium Gluconate

• Effective at pH 3 to 7

• 1.0% - 2.0% typical addition

• Excellent efficacy due to the synergy between Gluconolactone and Sodium

Benzoate

• Gluconolactone is a naturally derived product from sugar

• Non sensitizing

• Water-soluble and compatible with a diverse range of products in personal

care formulations
Saliguard BDP
• INCI – Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid and Dehydroacetic Acid

• Effective at pH 3 to 6

• 0.2% - 1.2% typical addition

• Broad spectrum activity

• Excellent bacterial and fungal control

• Suitable for rinse off and leave on products.

Formulating at low pH
Functional ingredients from
ABIL® ME 45
• INCI - Silicone Quaternium-22, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Dipropylene Glycol
and Cocoamidopropyl Betaine

• Can be used in formulations at pH 5.0 – 5.5

• High molecular weight PEG-free, silicone quat, microemulsion

• Ideal for clear and opaque shampoos and conditioners

• Additional heat and colour protection properties

• Typical addition 0.6 – 10.0% (application dependant)

ABIL® Soft AF 200
• INCI name - Aminopropyl Dimethicone

• Can be used in formulations at pH 5.0 – 5.5

• Provides excellent hair conditioning properties for conditioning shampoos

and body washes, leave in treatments and styling products

• Capable of producing clear systems

• Improves feel and softness of hair

• Remarkable soft skin feel

• 0.3 – 3.0% typical addition

• Easy to handle and cost efficient

TEGOSOFT® AC
• INCI - Isoamyl Cocoate

• Can be used in formulations at pH 5.0 – 5.5

• Natural emollient with light and non-oily skin feel

• Based on 100% natural ingredients

• Produced by a unique enzymatic method that is sustainable and

environmentally friendly

• Clear, low viscosity liquid with quick skin absorption

• NaTrue certified

• Suitable for facial and body care emulsions gels and serums, baby care,
natural and colour cosmetics
Formulating at low pH
Surfactants from
ALPHA–STEP® PC 48
• INCI name - Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate (and) Disodium 2-
Sulfolaurate

• Compatible at pH 5.0 – 5.8 systems

• Excellent detergency, foaming and mildness properties in wide variety

of personal care applications including; hand and body cleansers,
shower and bath gels and low pH facial cleansers

• Produces clear formulations even with high levels of electrolytes

• Low irritancy

• Fully biodegradable

• Excellent hard water tolerance

AMPHOSOL® CDB Special
• INCI name - Cetyl Betaine

• Compatible at pH 5.0 – 5.8 systems

• Mild surfactant derived from natural fatty methyl esters

• Designed to improve viscosity response in sulphate free and traditional

anionic surfactant systems

• Clear systems

• Mild primary and secondary surfactant, foam booster and static control agent.

• Readily biodegradable

• Ideal for shampoos, baby care, low pH facial cleansers, shower and bath
gels, hair conditioners and creams and lotions
Formulating at low pH
Active ingredients from
Viamerine® range
• 100% Vegetable derived polyglycerides

• Compatible at pH 5.0 – 5.8 systems

• Compatible with organic acid preservatives

• Outstanding richness sensation

• No residual greasiness – non-sticky

Applications

• Emulsions – Hydration and anti-wrinkle – up to 5% w/w inclusion levels.

• Rinse off products – Facial cleansers, bath and shower - up to 2% w/w

inclusion levels

• Hair care – Adds shine and gloss

Viamerine®
Solid Range
• Viamerine® WH 70
• Viamerine ® WH 60 Melting Point
• Viamerine ® WH 36

Liquid Range
• Viamerine ® 10000
• Viamerine ® 4000 Viscosity
• Viamerine ® 2500
Formulating at low pH
Example formulations
Alpha Hydroxy Acids in O/W Emulsion
Name INCI % w/w

Demineralised Water Aqua Up to 100

VERSENE TM NA2 Crystals Disodium EDTA 0.5

Carbopol ® Ultrez 30 Carbomer 1.0

Surfac G995 V Glycerin 2.0

Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum 0.25

Glucam TM E20 Humectant Methyl Gluceth-20 1.0

Schercemol TM NGDO Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate 5.0

Surfac CS Cetearyl Alcohol 0.50

Surfacare Vitamin E Tocopheryl Acetate 0.25

Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide Qs. pH

Glycolic Acid Glycolic Acid (67% solution) 1.5

Saliguard BPD Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic acid and Dehydroacetic acid 0.25

Final pH – 5.0
Pearlised Conditioning Shampoo with Sodium
Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate
Name INCI % w/w

Demineralised Water Aqua Up to 100

Steol ® CA330-KE Ammonium Laureth Sulphate 30.45

Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glycol Stearate and Cocamide

Stepan ® Pearl PSC40 3.0
DEA

STEPANOL ® AM 30-KE Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 16.0

Carbopol ® Aqua SF-2 Acrylates Crosspolymer-4 7.0

Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide (18% TS) ~0.55 to pH 6.5

Surfac B4 Cocamidopropyl betaine 5.2

Abil ® Soft AF 200 Aminopropyl Dimethicone 4.0

Saliguard SP Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate 0.25

Fragrance Fragrance 0.5

Surfac Citric Acid Mono BP Citric Acid ~0.2 to pH 5.3 – 5.5

Final pH – 5.3 – 5.5

Clear Shampoo/Bath Gel

Name INCI % w/w

Demineralised Water Aqua Up to 100

Carbopol ® Aqua CC Polyacrylate-1 Crosspolymer 7.5

Steol ® CS230-KE Sodium Laureth Sulfate 40.0

Surfac B4 Cocamidopropyl betaine 16.7

VERSENE TM NA2 Crystals Disodium EDTA 0.1

Saliguard SP Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate 0.5

Surfac Citric Acid Mono BP Citric Acid ~0.2 to pH 3.0 – 4.0

Surfac Triethanolamine 99% Triethanolamine To desired pH <5.0

Final pH - <5.0
For further information on all
products presented, please
visit our website
www.surfachem.com
Thank You !
Surfachem expressly disclaims any responsibility for the suitability of the products for any specific or
particular purposes intended by the user. Suggestions for the use and application of the products and
guide formulations are given for information purposes only and without commitment. Such suggestions
do not release Surfachem´s customers from testing the products as to their suitability for the
customer’s intended processes and purposes. Surfachem does not assume any liability or risk
involved in the use of its products as the conditions of use are beyond its control. The user of the
products is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the
products, including intellectual property rights of third parties.