Turmeric Face Wash with Polysorbate 80
This recipe is for turmeric face wash. This face wash is very gentle and non-drying, although cleansing.
It contains turmeric oil and very mild surfactants, creating a mild and effective face wash.
For a different recipe for turmeric face wash, check this creamy turmeric face wash.
Turmeric works as a skin-lightening agent for the skin. Curcumin reduces excess melanin production and can help with skin tone and pigmentation.
Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and brighten the skin by lightening dark spots and improving overall skin tone.
To combine the oil, I used Polysorbate 80. Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and an emulsifier. Polysorbate 80 is soluble in water.
The usage rate of polysorbate is 1–20% in cosmetics.
In the other turmeric recipe, I used Lysolecithin as my emulsifier. You can try the different recipes and decide which one you prefer.
To incorporate turmeric oil, I infused macadamia oil with turmeric powder. To read about oil infusions (cold method) please go to this post here.
For more alternatives, check the notes section below.
This recipe is for 100g. Use the calculator to change the amount.
Ingredients:
Phase A
- Glycerin 8g
- Xanthan gum clear 1.2g
- Distilled water 45g
Phase B
- Turmeric oil (macadamia oil infused with turmeric powder) 4.8g
- Polysorbate 80 8g
Phase C
- Coco glucoside 20g
- Coco betaine 10g
Phase D
- Preservative (cosgard) 1g
- Turmeric extract 1g
- Essential oil (lemongrass) 1g
If you don't want to infuse the oil with turmeric powder, you can use any carrier oil you like and add turmeric powder to the oil, mix them and add it instead of the infused oil.
For more alternatives, check the notes section below.
This recipe is for 100g. Use the calculator to change the amount.
Method:
- In a beaker, make a slurry by mixing glycerin with gum. Add the distilled water to the slurry, and mix to combine.
- Add the polysorbate 80 to the water beaker and mix to combine. Add the turmeric oil and mix to combine.
- Add the surfactants to the beaker and stir to combine. Don't stir too fast or strong. Try to avoid creating foam. You will notice that your emulsion is changing to a more orange color. This is due to the PH level that has changed (when we add the surfactants, the PH level is higher, which affects the color), This is normal, and the color will change back to yellow later on when we lower the PH level.
- To check the PH level, take 1g of the emulsion and add 9g of distilled water, mix well and check the PH level.
- To lower the PH level add a few drops of lactic acid 80% and stir. Recheck the PH level and repeat if necessary. PH level between 5 to 6 is fine. You can also use a citric acid solution to lower the PH level.
To read more about making the solution and adjusting PH levels in cosmetics, check this post here.
7. Add phase D ingredients (preservative, essential oil and extract) to the beaker and mix gently.
- Pour into a container, and your turmeric face wash is ready.
Notes:
If you don't have xanthan gum clear, you can use regular (cosmetic) xanthan gum. Take into consideration that the final product will be opaque and not transparent in appearance.
You can swap the coco glucoside with decyl glucoside or Caprylyl/Capryl glucoside.
You can swap the coco betaine with Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
If you don't have turmeric extract, you can use other extracts you prefer for your skin condition or skip it and add the amount to the infused oil instead (no extract and 5.8g infused oil in total for 100g).
I use lemongrass essential oil in this recipe, but you can replace it with a different essential or fragrance oil (remember to make sure you are using a skin-safe fragrance or essential oil).
Use any cosmetic preservative you usually use, and as always, check the supplier instructions on usage rate, PH level and all relevant information for your chosen preservative. If you need to use more or less preservative, adjust the amount by reducing or adding to the distilled water.