DIY Ibile products

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One question I often hear is:

"Why can't I just use one surfactant in my shampoo?"

The answer is simple.

Because every surfactant has its own strengths and weaknesses.

For example:

🧪 One surfactant may cleanse very well.

🧪 Another may improve foam.

🧪 Another may make the shampoo feel milder on the scalp.

Instead of relying on just one ingredient, formulators combine surfactants so that each one contributes something useful to the final product.

⚽Think of it like a football team.

A goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder and a striker all have different roles.

A good team works because every player contributes.

The same idea applies to shampoo formulation.

A well-designed surfactant system is usually more balanced than depending on a single surfactant.

And this is

Why Professional Formulators Use More Than One Surfactant

Any questions?

Drop it in the comments section

©️Beginner Formulator's Classroom – Lesson 006

INGREDIENTS SPOTLIGHT: COCAMIDOPROPYL BETEAINE (CAPB)

Yesterday, we learned that more foam doesn't always mean better cleansing.

Today, let's meet one of the ingredients that helps improve the washing experience.

COCAMIDOPROPYL BETEAINE

commonly called COCO BETAINE

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is one of the most commonly used surfactants in shampoos and body washes.

But here's something interesting...

Formulators don't usually add CAPB because they want stronger cleansing.

We often add it because it helps improve the overall performance of the shampoo.

Some of the benefits of CAPB include:

✅ It helps create richer, creamier foam.

✅ It helps make a shampoo feel milder on the hair and scalp.

✅ It works well with other surfactants to create a more balanced cleansing system.

Notice something?

A shampoo isn't made by throwing random ingredients together.

Every ingredient has a purpose.

As beginner formulators, our goal is not just to know an ingredient's name.

Our goal is to understand why it's there.

Understood?

Now let me ask you ...

Before today, had you heard of CAPB before?

And if yes, what did you think its main job was?

Let's learn together in the comments. 👇

©️ Beginners Formulator classroom

Today,Let's settle one common misconception

Many people believe:

«"If a shampoo produces plenty of foam, then it must be a very good shampoo."»

Not necessarily ❌

Foam and cleansing are related, but they are not the same thing.✅

A shampoo can produce lots of foam and still not cleanse effectively.

On the other hand, a shampoo with moderate foam can clean the hair very well.

As formulators, we don't judge a shampoo by the amount of foam it produces. Read that again

Instead, we ask questions like:

✅ Does it clean effectively?

✅ Is it gentle on the hair and scalp?

✅ Does it leave the hair feeling comfortable after washing?

Some ingredients are added mainly to improve the quality of the foam, making it richer, creamier and more stable.

✅ Others contribute more to the cleansing performance.

That's why as a formulators, don't chase maximum foam— aim for the right balance.

Now let me ask,

Before learning formulation, did you also believe that more foam meant better cleansing?

Tell us in the comments:
YES or NO 👇

©️More foam doesn't always mean better cleansing

If you've looked at the ingredients of a shampoo before.

You may have noticed that it doesn't contain just one surfactant.

Have you ever wondered why?

Here's the reason...

Before we move on
Good evening and welcome back to cla.ss

Now let's talk about why one surfactant is not enough in a shampoo....

No single surfactant is perfect. (Read that again)

✅Some surfactants clean very well but may feel harsh on the hair.

✅Some produce rich, creamy foam but don't cleanse as strongly.

✅Others help make a shampoo feel milder and more comfortable during washing.

That's why professional formulators don't just choose ingredients

They build surfactant systems.💯💯

Now let's use better example

Think of it like cooking a pot of soup. ✅

❌You don't use only salt because it gives taste.

Instead

You combine salt, seasoning, spices and other ingredients so everything works together.

The same idea applies to shampoo formulation.

Each surfactant contributes something different to the final product.

As a beginner formulator, don't ask:

❌ "Which surfactant is the best?"

Instead, ask:

✅ "What role is this surfactant playing in my formula?"

That single question will change the way you think about formulation.

Understood?

👩🏽‍🔬 See you in Tomorrow's Lesson:And we would be talking about why More Foam Doesn't Always Mean Better Cleansing.

I love you ♥️

©️Beginner formulator's classroom

If you've ever watched a formulation class or joined a formulation group ,

YOu've probably heard the word SURFACTANT
countless times

but what exactly does it mean

A surfactant (Surface Active Agent) is an ingredient that helps water and oil work together, making it easier to remove dirt, oil and impurities during cleansing.

That's why surfactants are found in many cosmetic products, including:

🧴 Shampoos
🧼 Facial cleansers
🚿 Body washes
🫧 Hand washes
🪥 Toothpaste

Now let's use what we normally do at home as example

Imagine trying to wash an oily plates with only water

It won't work well,right?

but once you add dishwashing liquid, the grease lifts away easily. ...Abi?

That's exactly how surfactants work.

So, as we are learning together don't rush to memorise ingredients.

First, understand what each ingredient does

Next time you hear surfactant,you already know what it means and does Abi ?

See you in class tomorrow 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

©️ Beginners Formulator Classroom

WELCOME TO BEGINNERS FORMULATORS CLASSROOM (LESSON 101)

Have you ever followed a cosmetic recipe without understanding why each ingredient was used?

I have.🤣🤣

As a self-taught formulator, I know how confusing cosmetic formulation can be.

That's why I created this page
To help beginners understand formulation in simple language.

Here, we'll learn:

🧪 Ingredient functions

🧪 Formulation terms

🧪 Shampoo science

🧪 Conditioner science

🧪 Common formulation mistakes and many more

This isn't just about making products.

It's about understanding why they work.

Welcome to class. 👩🏽‍🔬

📌 Follow this page and invite another beginner formulator.

And I don't mind knowing you in the comments section ?

©️ Beginners Formulator Classroom