Newborn Liquid Wash

REVISED NEWBORN GENTLE WASH

500 g test batch | Neodefend-based

Target pH: ~5.5

Ages: 0–12+ months
Use: Hair & body, 1–3× weekly

🧪 INGREDIENTS BY GRAMS (500 g)

Water Phase

• Distilled Water — 267.5 g (53.5%)

• Aloe Vera Juice — 100 g (20%)

Thickening (pre-dispersed)

• Xanthan Gum — 2.5 g (0.5%)

• Vegetable Glycerin — 10 g (2%) (for dispersion)

Soothing

• Colloidal Oatmeal — 10 g (2%)

Gentle Cleansing (18%)

• Coco Glucoside — 50 g (10%)

• Decyl Glucoside — 40 g (8%)

Cool-down Nourishing

• Panthenol (B5) — 5 g (1%)

• Broccoli Seed Oil — 2.5 g (0.5%)

• Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) — 1 g (0.2%)

Preservation

• Geogard, 0.8-1%, 5g

  • No longer using Neodefend — 5.5 g (1.1%)

pH Adjustment

• Citric Acid Solution (50%) — q.s. to pH 5.3–5.7

Newborn Liquid Wash

Batch Size: 1000g (500g test size)
Container: 250ml bottles (makes 4) OR 100ml gift bottles (makes 10)
Ages: 0-12 months (can extend through toddler years)
Usage: Hair and body, 1-3× per week or as needed
Target pH: ~5.5 (physiological pH)

Perfect! Here's your 500g Newborn Gentle Wash test batch:

Newborn Gentle Wash - 500g Test Batch

Water Phase:

• Distilled water: 255.5g (51.1%)

• Aloe vera juice: 100g (20%)

Thickening (pre-dispersed):

• Xanthan gum: 2.5g (0.5%)

• Glycerin: 1–2%

  • reduced from 15g (3%) ← pre-mix xanthan into this

Soothing:

• Colloidal oatmeal: 10g (2%)

Gentle Cleansing:

• Coco glucoside: 10%

  • reduced from 55g (11%)

• Decyl glucoside: 8%,

  • reduced from 45g (9%)

Nourishing (cool-down phase):

• Panthenol (B5): 5g (1%)

• Broccoli seed oil: 0.5% instead of 1%

  • reduced from 5g (1%)

• Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols): 0.2%

  • reduced from 1.5g (0.3%)

Preservation:

• Neodefend: 5.5g (1.1%)

pH Adjustment:

• Citric acid solution (50%): as needed to reach pH 5.5

Total: 500g

Equipment Needed:

• Heat-safe beaker (16-20 oz capacity)

• Small bowl for xanthan/glycerin

• Thermometer

• Whisk or spatula (gentle stirring tool)

• pH strips or meter

• 2 x 250ml pump bottles

• Small funnel

• Labels

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Pre-disperse xanthan gum

• In small bowl: 2.5g xanthan gum

• Add 15g glycerin

• Whisk vigorously until completely smooth (no clumps)

• Set aside

2. Heat water phase

• In beaker combine:

  • 255.5g distilled water

  • 100g aloe vera juice

• Heat to 140-150°F (60-65°C)

  • Use double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals

3. Hydrate colloidal oatmeal

• Sprinkle 10g colloidal oatmeal into hot water/aloe mixture

• Stir continuously for 5 minutes

• Oatmeal will absorb water and swell

• Mixture will look milky/cloudy

4. Add xanthan/glycerin mixture

• While stirring constantly, slowly drizzle in xanthan/glycerin

• Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes

• You'll feel it start to thicken slightly

5. Cool to 120°F (49°C)

• Stir occasionally while cooling

• Takes about 10-15 minutes

• Can speed up by placing beaker in cool water bath

6. Add surfactants GENTLY

• Add 45g decyl glucoside

  • Stir gently, don't whisk (minimizes foam)

• Add 55g coco glucoside

  • Continue gentle stirring

• Goal: incorporate without creating bubbles

• Fold in with spatula rather than whisking

7. Cool to below 100°F (38°C)

• Continue stirring occasionally

• About 5-10 more minutes

8. Add cool-down ingredients

• Add one at a time, stirring between:

  • 5g panthenol

  • 5g broccoli seed oil

  • 1.5g vitamin E

9. Add preservative

• Add 5.5g Neodefend

• Stir thoroughly for 2-3 minutes

• Ensure complete distribution

10. Check and adjust pH

• Test with pH strips or meter

• Target: 5.5 (acceptable range 5.3-5.7)

• If too high: add citric acid solution drop by drop

• Retest after each addition

• Mix well between additions

11. Bottle

• Pour into 2 x 250ml pump bottles using funnel

• Pour slowly to minimize additional foam

• Cap bottles

12. Rest period

• Let bottles sit 24 hours undisturbed

• Foam will settle

• Viscosity will stabilize

• Check again after 24 hours

13. Label

• "Gentle Newborn Wash - Hair & Body"

• "Ages 0-12+ months"

• Made date: [today]

• Use by: [6 months from today]

• "pH 5.5 - Fragrance Free"

• Full ingredient list

• "Shake gently if separation occurs"

Expected Results:

Appearance:

• Milky/creamy white liquid

• Slightly thickened (pourable, not gel)

• May have small foam layer on top initially (settles)

Texture:

• Smooth, silky

• Light viscosity (thicker than water, thinner than shampoo)

Scent:

• Very mild/neutral

• Slight oat scent from colloidal oatmeal

• No added fragrance

Performance:

• Gentle lather (not bubbly like adult products)

• Rinses clean

• No residue

• Leaves skin soft, not stripped

Usage Guide:

For babies 0-12 months:

• Use 1-3x per week (babies don't need daily washing!)

• 1 pump for body

• 1 pump for hair/scalp

• Lather gently with hand or soft washcloth

• Rinse thoroughly with warm water

• Pat dry gently

For toddlers 1-3 years:

• Can use more frequently (2-4x per week)

• 2 pumps total

• Same gentle technique

Tips:

• Test on small patch first (inner arm)

• Avoid eye contact (though formula is extra-gentle)

• Keep water temperature comfortable (not hot)

• Great for cradle cap, baby acne, eczema-prone skin

Troubleshooting:

Too thin after 24 hours?

• Next batch: increase xanthan to 3g

• Or increase oatmeal to 12g

Too thick?

• Dilute this batch: add 25-50g distilled water

• Remix, recheck pH

• Next batch: reduce xanthan to 2g

Too much foam during mixing?

• Normal! Will settle in 24 hours

• To minimize: stir even more gently next time

Separates after sitting?

• Shake gently before each use

• Natural for oil-containing formulas

• If severe separation: increase xanthan next batch

Not cleansing enough?

• Formula is designed to be VERY gentle

• This is appropriate for newborn skin

• If needed for older kids: see shampoo bar recipe instead

Skin irritation?

• Discontinue use

• Most likely culprit: broccoli seed oil (rare allergy)

• Make version without oils next time

Cost Breakdown (approximate):

• Water/aloe: $1.50

• Surfactants: $3.00

• Oatmeal: $1.00

• Glycerin: $0.50

• Oils/actives: $2.50

• Xanthan: $0.25

• Preservative: $1.00

• Bottles: $2.00

Total: ~$11.75 for 500g = ~$5.90 per 250ml bottle

For Your Business Consideration:

Retail pricing: $14-18 per 250ml bottle Wholesale: $7-9 per bottle Margin: ~$8-12 per bottle

Marketing angles:

• "Cradle-to-toddler gentle wash"

• "pH-balanced for developing skin"

• "Soothes eczema & cradle cap"

• "No tears, no toxins, no fragrance"

• Perfect baby shower gift

Pairs with:

• Your tallow balm (for diaper area)

• Solid conditioning bar (for older kids transitioning)

Ingredients by Weight (1000g batch)

pH target: ~5.5

Neodefend: 1.1%

• Distilled water — 52.5% = 525 g

• Aloe vera juice — 20% = 200 g

• Coco glucoside — 11% = 110 g

• Decyl glucoside — 9% = 90 g

• Glycerin — 3% = 30 g

• Colloidal oatmeal — 2% = 20 g

• Panthenol (B5) — 1% = 10 g

• Xanthan gum — 0.4% = 4 g

• Neodefend — 1.1% = 11 g

How to Add Neodefend (General Guide)

1. Add Neodefend to the cool-down phase

• Once your batch is below ~40°C (105°F)

2. Mix thoroughly before pH adjustment

3. Test pH afterward (and adjust if needed)

Preservatives work best when the formula is complete and near final pH.

Water Phase

• Distilled Water: 482g (48.2%)

• Aloe Vera Juice: 200g (20%)

Soothing & Thickening

• Colloidal Oatmeal: 20g (2%)

• Xanthan Gum: 5g (0.5%) - premix into glycerin first

• Vegetable Glycerin: 30g (3%)

Gentle Cleansing

• Decyl Glucoside: 90g (9%)

• Coco Glucoside: 110g (11%)

Support Ingredients

• Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): 10g (1%)

• Broccoli Seed Oil: 10g (1%)

• Vitamin E: 3g (0.3%)

Preservation

• Geogard 221: 8-11g (0.8-1.1%)

pH Adjustment

• Citric Acid Solution (50%): q.s. to pH ~5.5

Instructions

1. Prepare xanthan gum: Mix xanthan gum into glycerin until smooth. Set aside.

2. Heat water phase: Heat distilled water to approximately 140-150°F (60-65°C).

3. Add aloe and oatmeal: Add aloe vera juice and colloidal oatmeal to heated water. Stir until oatmeal is fully hydrated (about 5 minutes).

4. Add xanthan/glycerin mixture: Slowly sprinkle in the xanthan-glycerin mixture while stirring constantly. Mix until smooth.

5. Cool to 120°F (49°C): Allow mixture to cool while stirring occasionally.

6. Add surfactants: When cooled to 120°F, gently fold in decyl glucoside and coco glucoside. Avoid creating excessive foam.

7. Add oils and actives: Mix in panthenol, broccoli seed oil, and vitamin E.

8. Preserve: When mixture is below 100°F (38°C), add Geogard 221.

9. Adjust pH: Test pH and adjust to ~5.5 using citric acid solution.

10. Bottle: Pour into bottles. Allow to rest 24 hours for thickening to stabilize.

Usage Instructions

• For newborns: Use 1-3× per week on hair and body

• Amount: Small amount (1-2 pumps) is sufficient

• Application: Lather gently, rinse thoroughly with warm water

• Avoid: Eye contact (though formula is extra-gentle)

Notes

• Ultra-gentle surfactants: Decyl and coco glucoside at 9% and 11% respectively provide effective but mild cleansing

• Geogard concentration: Use 0.8-1.1% maximum; do NOT use 3.5% (this was a previous error)

• Colloidal oatmeal: Soothes sensitive newborn skin

• Broccoli seed oil: Provides natural slip without heaviness

• pH 5.5: Matches skin's natural pH to support developing barrier

Gift Packaging Suggestion

• 100ml bottles make excellent baby shower gifts

• Label with usage instructions and age range

• Include note: "Lasts months through the newborn phase"

Storage

• Store at room temperature

• Use within 6 months

• Shake gently before use if separation occurs

Target temps

• Room temp is ideal.

• Optional gentle warming to hydrate gum: 95–110°F (not hot)

Steps

1. Make gum slurry

• Mix xanthan gum into glycerin until smooth (no clumps).

2. Hydrate

• Combine distilled water + aloe.

• Add gum slurry while stirring.

• Let hydrate 10–20 minutes (viscosity develops).

3. Add colloidal oatmeal

• Sprinkle in slowly, mix until uniform.

4. Add surfactants (low foam)

• Add decyl glucoside, then coco glucoside slowly.

• Stir gently to avoid bubbles.

5. Add panthenol

• Mix until uniform.

6. Preserve

• Add Neodefend, mix well.

7. pH

• Target ~5.5.

• Adjust if needed.

8. Bottle

• Bottle, allow bubbles to settle.

• Re-check viscosity + pH next day.