Shower gel is a liquid product used for cleaning the body during showers. It is different from liquid soap and does not contain saponified oils or fats. Shower gels are made up of the same basic ingredients as soap, including water, betaines, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), but the main difference between the two products lies in their surfactants. Shower gels are free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and other not-so-nice materials. They are also available in different colors and scents, and may contain essential oils or fragrance oils. Here are some details about shower gel ingredients and materials:
Positive:
- Natural ingredients: Homemade shower gel can be made with ECOCERT- and COSMOS-approved ingredients derived from natural materials.
- Scalable: You can easily double, triple, or quadruple the recipe to make larger batches for your family.
- Moisturizing: Glycerin helps the skin to retain moisture, provides softening qualities, and makes the body wash gentler.
- Cleansing: Shower gels contain surfactants that help in the emulsification and washing away of oily dirt.
Negative:
- PH level: Coco glucoside, a natural surfactant, can have a high PH level, so its good to test your shower gel using a PH strip. The PH needs to fall slightly onto the acidic side with a range of between 4 and 6. If it’s a little too high, you can use a PH modifier to bring it down.
Ingredients or materials:
- Distilled water or hydrosol: Distilled water is needed to dilute and dissolve the other shower gel ingredients. Hydrosols are a fantastic option to naturally scent the shower gel and introduce additional skincare benefits.
- Mica powder: Mica powders give the shower gel a beautiful shimmer.
- Coco glucose (Plantapon SF): A natural surfactant used in homemade shower gel.
- Vegetable glycerin: An ingredient used in skincare that draws moisture to a product.
- Preservative: Used to prevent bacteria and mold growth in homemade shower gel.
- Laureth-9 and aloe vera: Ingredients in commercial shower gel that cleanse, moisturize, and help alleviate itchiness associated with dry skin.
In summary, shower gel is a specialized liquid product used for cleaning the body during showers. It contains surfactants that help in the emulsification and washing away of oily dirt. Homemade shower gel can be made with natural ingredients and is free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and other not-so-nice materials. Coco glucoside, a natural surfactant, can have a high PH level, so its good to test your shower gel using a PH strip. The PH needs to fall slightly onto the acidic side with a range of between 4 and 6. If it’s a little too high, you can use a PH modifier to bring it down.