Clean final formula to copy

Newborn Gentle Wash — 500 g

Distilled water — 281.0 g
Aloe vera juice — 100 g
Glycerin — 15 g
Xanthan gum — 2.0 g
Colloidal oatmeal — 10 g
Coco glucoside — 45 g
Decyl glucoside — 35 g
Panthenol — 5 g
NeoDefend / Geogard Ultra — 5.5 g
OR
Geogard ECT — 4.0–5.0 g
Citric acid solution q.s. to pH 5.3–5.6

Process

Premix xanthan into glycerin until smooth.
Add that to water + aloe and let hydrate fully.
Add colloidal oatmeal and mix smooth.
Add decyl glucoside, then coco glucoside, slowly to reduce foam.
Add panthenol.
Add preservative.
Check and adjust pH last.
Let bubbles settle overnight, then recheck pH and viscosity.

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)

Add Neodefend to the cool-down phase

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

Mix thoroughly before pH adjustment
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

Prepare xanthan gum: Mix xanthan gum into glycerin until smooth. Set aside.
Heat water phase: Heat distilled water to approximately 140-150°F (60-65°C).
Add aloe and oatmeal: Add aloe vera juice and colloidal oatmeal to heated water. Stir until oatmeal is fully hydrated (about 5 minutes).
Add xanthan/glycerin mixture: Slowly sprinkle in the xanthan-glycerin mixture while stirring constantly. Mix until smooth.
Cool to 120°F (49°C): Allow mixture to cool while stirring occasionally.
Add surfactants: When cooled to 120°F, gently fold in decyl glucoside and coco glucoside. Avoid creating excessive foam.
Add oils and actives: Mix in panthenol, broccoli seed oil, and vitamin E.
Preserve: When mixture is below 100°F (38°C), add Geogard 221.
Adjust pH: Test pH and adjust to ~5.5 using citric acid solution.
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