Chamomile & Oats Moisturising Hair Conditioner

I have noticed my hair, scalp and face have been particularly dry lately, so I thought it high time I formulated something suitable to try and help; this is my conditioner. Hydrolyzed Oat Protein is a must for me with many formulations, and I have added Chamomile Extract to this formula as well as Sodium Lactate Plus and dl Panthenol to help with the moisturising. I am really liking this formula and my hair feels soft and conditioned.

The instructions below are brief, but if you have not made an emulsion before you will find full instructions on how to make Lotions from Scratch see our Basic Lotion Making Instructions Page.

I used a Stubby Shampoo Bottle with a Pump for half my batch, and Malibu Tubes for the balance of the mixture.  I scented it with Jasmine and Rosehip Fragrance, one of our Bramble Berry Fragrances, and love it!

Ingredients

Phase A

• 750g Distilled Water (75%)
•   50g Aloe Vera Gel (5%)
•   50g Sodium Lactate Plus (5%)

Once removed from the heat, add

•   10g dl Panthenol (1%)

Phase B

•   35g Conditioning Emulsifier 25 (5%)
•     6g Oliv-Wax (1%)

Once removed from the heat, add

•    12g Chamomile Extract (4%)
•    12g Hydrolyzed Oats (2%)

Phase C

• 10g Geogard Ultra (1%)
• q.s. Citric Acid and pH Strips - to balance the pH to 4.5 - 5 (if using Geoguard Ultra as your preservative)
• Up to 10g Essential Oils or Fragrance (1%) – adjust to suit, for my nose this with Rosehip & Jasmine Fragrance, this was just right found 0.4% (4 droppers only) was plenty, so do slowly add and sniff as you go!

• Tottle or Malibu Tubes and Stubby Shampoo Bottles with a Pump

Method:

• Measure the Distilled Water in a large Pyrex Jug.
• Remove approximately 30ml of Distilled water from allowance and warm to 40° C in a jug or beaker. Add Geoguard Ultra and mix with small mechanical mixer (if you have one) or tiny whisk to ensure it is well dissolved. Set aside.
• Add Aloe Vera Gel and Sodium Lactate to the Distilled Water and heat in microwave until it reaches 75° C.
• Once removed from heat, add dl Panthenol and stir to dissolve.
• Now weigh the Conditioning Emulsifier and Oliv-Wax and melt in microwave, this temperature should also be 75° C.
• Now combine Phase A and Phase B ingredients and and mix with the stick blender for a few seconds to combine.
• Add the Hydrolyzed Oats and Chamomile Extract and mix again to combine.
• Now test the pH and adjust with citric acid until you achieve a pH of 4.5 - 5.
• During cool down, give one or two zaps on the stick blender, and switch to a balloon whisk to ensure the mixture maintains a smooth, creamy consistency.
• When the Conditioner reaches approximately 40° C, add the Geogard Ultra mixture in the beaker, and then the Essential Oils or Rosehip & Jasmine Fragrance
• Whisk with the small balloon whisk periodically until cold, this keeps the Conditioner silky smooth and lustrous.
• Place caps on tubes and bottle when completely cold.

NB: If you prefer to use Liquid Germall Plus for preservation, you won't need the citric acid or pH strips.
If you want to increase moisturising properties further, increase the Hydrolyzed Oats and the dl Panthenol, and Sodium Lactate Plus and decrease the water content accordingly.