Formula: DIY Gentle Liquid Soap with Coco Glucoside & Decyl Glucoside | Sulfate-Free

Here's a simple Liquid Soap Formula using Coco Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, and Decyl Glucoside as the primary surfactants. This formulation is designed to be mild, sulfate-free, and suitable for hand and body cleansing.

Gentle Liquid Soap Formula

Phase A - Water Phase

• Distilled Water – 61.0% (solvent, base)
• Glycerin – 3.0% (humectant, skin conditioning)
• Sodium Citrate – 0.5% (pH buffer, chelating agent)

Phase B - Surfactant Blend

• Coco Glucoside – 15.0% (mild non-ionic surfactant, foaming agent)
• Decyl Glucoside – 10.0% (mild non-ionic surfactant, cleansing agent)
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine – 8.0% (amphoteric surfactant, foam booster, mildness enhancer)
• Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside – 1.0% (solubilizer, co-surfactant)

Phase C - Final Adjustments

• Citric Acid (10% solution) – as needed to adjust pH (target: 5.0–5.5)
• Preservative (Liquid Germall Plus or Optiphen) – 0.8% (broad-spectrum preservation)
• Fragrance or Essential Oil (we used Salt & Timber Fragrance Oil) – 0.5% (optional)
• Natural Colorant (Mica, Liquid Dye, or Botanical Extract) – q.s. (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Phase A:

   • Dissolve Sodium Citrate and Glycerin in Distilled Water.

2. Prepare Phase B:

   • In a separate container, combine Coco Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, and Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside. Stir gently to avoid excessive foaming.

3. Combine Phase A & B:

   • Slowly add the surfactant phase (B) to the water phase (A) while stirring gently to minimize bubbles.

4. Adjust pH:

   • Use Citric Acid solution to bring the pH to a skin-friendly range (5.0–5.5).

5. Incorporate Phase C:

   • Add preservative, fragrance, and colorant (if using), mixing well.

6. Final Mixing & Bottling:

   • Stir gently, allow any bubbles to settle, then package in a suitable pump or squeeze bottle.

Final Product Characteristics:

• Sulfate-Free & Mild
• Rich Foam & Gentle Cleansing
• Balanced pH for Skin Compatibility
• Customizable with Scents & Colors