Easy Hand Wash

Sometimes, you need a simple formula that you can make fast without heating or 3-4 phases. This formula is easy, and no heating is required.

If you are a solid cosmetics person, please check my recipes for Oats Body And Face Soap or Soap Bars Only 3 Oils. Solid soaps are my favorite, and I prefer them over liquid versions. Sometimes, I have no solid soaps left and need a quick solution.

This formula has few ingredients and can be made in less than 30 minutes.

Since all the ingredients in this formula are water-based, I used a high percentage of glycerin in this formula. A high percentage of the glycerin helps to achieve a less drying hand wash with a smooth feeling when used.

Glycerin is like a moisture magnet for your skin. When it’s in hand wash, it stops your skin from getting dry and keeps it feeling nice and soft.

Glycerin also acts like a tough bouncer for your skin. It strengthens your skin’s built-in defenses, keeping it in better shape and less likely to get messed up.

Glycerin usually plays nicely with all skin types; it’s a safe ingredient for most people.

If you go overboard with the amount of glycerin, you will get a very sticky product.

For me, between 8-12% is the perfect percentage for only water-based products. This is, of course, a matter of personal preference.

For my other humectant, I used sorbitol.

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol similar to glycerin. Sorbitol also contributes to a thicker and more indulgent texture in products, making them easier to apply and improving their overall feeling.

The dual humectant action of sorbitol and glycerin can provide a soothing and comfortable hand-washing experience, even if you have sensitive or dry skin.

You can replace the sorbitol with betaine powder or Trehalosa powder.

In this formula, I used xanthan gum clear; This type of xanthan gum gives a transparent result, unlike regular xanthan gum, which gives an opaque appearance.

You can use regular xanthan gum to replace the xanthan gum clear.

Since I don’t have synthetic thickener, I used a high percentage of the gum to achieve a thick jelly-like consistency.

For my surfactants, I used decyl glucoside and coco betaine.

Decyl glucoside and coco betaine are recognized for their gentle cleansing abilities. They efficiently eliminate dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin without leading to undue dryness or irritation. This makes them suitable for daily use, even for people with sensitive skin.

The combination of decyl glucoside and coco betaine produces rich and fluffy foam.

Although these surfactants’ primary function is cleansing, decyl glucoside and coco betaine can have some conditioning properties that can contribute to maintaining skin hydration.

I used Cosgard as a preservative. If you are using a different kind of preservative, make sure to use it according to your supplier’s instructions.

pH of the final hand wash should be around 5.5-6. For more information on pH adjustments, please read this post.

Use the calculator to adjust the amount you wish to make.

Method:

1. Start with mixing the xanthan gum and the glycerin to make a slurry. Make sure there are no lumps.

2. Add the distilled water and stir to combine. You can use a high speed blender to make sure everything is mixed.

3. Add the sorbitol and stir to dissolve.

4. Add the surfactants and stir gently (manually) to minimize the foam.

5. Add the preservative and stir gently.

6. Add the lactic acid and stir gently to combine.

7. Add color if you wish. Start with one drop and add up to 4 drops to achieve the desired color.

8. Add the fragrance, I used a water soluble fragrance.

9. Check the pH and adjust if necessary. Read here on how to adjust pH.

10. Leave the hand wash for 6-10 hours to let the foam come down and the gum to disperse fully. Pour into a pump bottle.

Related articles:

• Soap Bars Only 3 Oils

• Banana Soap

• Oats Body And Face Soap

• Lime and Honey Soap Bar

• 100% Coconut Oil Soap

• How to Adjust the PH Level in Cosmetics