Introduction
Conditioners enhance hair softness, manageability, and shine by replenishing moisture, repairing damage, and smoothing the hair cuticle. This guide outlines a scientifically formulated conditioner that leverages keratin proteins, multifunctional conditioning agents, botanical oils, humectants, and mineral citrate complexes to deeply nourish, protect, and rejuvenate hair strands. It covers ingredient functions, formulation strategy, lab-scale prototype, manufacturing protocol, and quality control.
Product Overview & Key Claims
- Repairs and strengthens hair with keratin proteins and derivatives
- Provides intense hydration and silk-like smoothness via humectants and oils
- Smooths hair surface with silicones and cationic conditioning polymers
- Supports scalp and hair health with mineral citrate complexes
- Enhances manageability and shine without weighing hair down
- Lightweight, non-greasy feel free from heavy waxes
Ingredient Functional Roles & Recommended Usage
| INCI Name | Function | Recommended Range (% w/w) |
| Aqua | Solvent, base | 50 – 70 |
| Cyclopentasiloxane | Volatile silicone, smooth feel | 5 – 15 |
| Dimethiconol | Silicone conditioner, shine & smooth | 2 – 8 |
| Cetrimonium Chloride | Cationic surfactant, conditioning | 1 – 4 |
| Cetearyl Alcohol | Emollient, thickener, co-emulsifier | 3 – 8 |
| Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate | Cationic conditioning agent | 1 – 4 |
| Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil | Emollient, antioxidant-rich oil | 1 – 4 |
| Glycerine | Humectant, moisture retention | 2 – 6 |
| Cetyl Alcohol | Emollient, thickener | 2 – 6 |
| Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil | Emollient, nourishing oil | 1 – 4 |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Emollient, lightweight conditioning | 1 – 4 |
| Keratin | Protein, hair strengthening agent | 0.5 – 2 |
| Hydrolyzed Keratin | Protein, repair & strengthening | 0.5 – 2 |
| Oxidized Keratin | Protein derivative, improves texture | 0.5 – 2 |
| Xylitylglucoside | Moisturizing agent, humectant | 0.5 – 2 |
| Anhydroxylitol | Moisturizer, skin & hair conditioning | 0.2 – 1 |
| Maltitol | Humectant, moisture retention | 0.2 – 1 |
| Xylitol | Humectant, moisture retention | 0.2 – 1 |
| Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract | Botanical extract, antioxidant | 0.1 – 0.5 |
| Hydroxyethylcellulose | Thickener, stabilizer | 0.3 – 1 |
| Zinc Citrate | Mineral complex, scalp health | 0.05 – 0.2 |
| Silver Citrate | Antimicrobial, scalp health | 0.05 – 0.2 |
| Copper Citrate | Mineral complex, hair strengthening | 0.05 – 0.2 |
| Magnesium Citrate | Mineral complex, scalp soothing | 0.05 – 0.2 |
| Manganese Citrate | Mineral complex, antioxidant | 0.05 – 0.2 |
| Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | 0.5 – 1 |
| Behentrimonium Methosulfate | Cationic conditioning agent, detangling | 1 – 3 |
| Behentrimonium Chloride | Conditioning agent, anti-static | 1 – 3 |
| Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride | Conditioning polymer, smoothness & detangling | 0.2 – 1 |
| Panthenol | Provitamin B5, moisturizing & strengthening | 0.5 – 2 |
| Perfume | Fragrance | 0.2 – 0.5 |
Formulation Strategy
This conditioner is a silicone-rich emulsion combining a keratin protein complex, humectants, botanical oils, and cationic surfactants/polymers to provide excellent detangling, smoothing, and scalp care. Mineral citrate complexes contribute to scalp health and antioxidant protection. Thickening agents balance creaminess and spreadability for easy application without greasiness or heaviness.
Lab-Scale Batch Formulation Sheet (100 g)
| Phase | Ingredient | % w/w | Amount (g) |
| A | Aqua | 60 | 60 |
| B | Cyclopentasiloxane | 8 | 8 |
| B | Dimethiconol | 5 | 5 |
| C | Cetrimonium Chloride | 3 | 3 |
| C | Cetearyl Alcohol | 5 | 5 |
| C | Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate | 3 | 3 |
| D | Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil | 3 | 3 |
| D | Glycerine | 4 | 4 |
| D | Cetyl Alcohol | 4 | 4 |
| D | Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil | 2 | 2 |
| D | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | 2 | 2 |
| E | Keratin | 1 | 1 |
| E | Hydrolyzed Keratin | 1 | 1 |
| E | Oxidized Keratin | 1 | 1 |
| F | Xylitylglucoside | 1 | 1 |
| F | Anhydroxylitol | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| F | Maltitol | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| F | Xylitol | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| G | Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| G | Hydroxyethylcellulose | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| H | Zinc Citrate | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| H | Silver Citrate | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| H | Copper Citrate | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| H | Magnesium Citrate | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| H | Manganese Citrate | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| I | Phenoxyethanol | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| J | Behentrimonium Methosulfate | 2 | 2 |
| J | Behentrimonium Chloride | 2 | 2 |
| J | Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| K | Panthenol | 1 | 1 |
| L | Perfume | 0.3 | 0.3 |
Manufacturing Protocol
Phase A: Water Phase
- Heat Aqua to 75°C.
- Slowly disperse Hydroxyethylcellulose under agitation until fully hydrated.
Phase B: Silicone Phase
- Combine Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethiconol. Heat to 70°C.
Phase C: Cationic Surfactants & Conditioners
- Melt Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, and Behentrimonium Chloride at 75°C.
Phase D: Oil Phase
- Add Argan Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride to the melted phase.
Phase E: Protein Complex
- Add Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, and Oxidized Keratin to water phase under agitation.
Phase F: Humectants & Botanical Extract
- Add Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Maltitol, Xylitol, and Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract to water phase.
Phase G: Mineral Complex
- Add Zinc, Silver, Copper, Magnesium, and Manganese Citrates to water phase.
Phase H: Emulsion Formation
- Slowly add oil/silicone phase to water phase with high shear mixing to form a stable emulsion.
Phase I: Cooling & Final Additives
- Cool to below 40°C.
- Add Phenoxyethanol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, and Perfume. Mix gently until homogeneous.
Stability & Quality Testing
| Test | Conditions | Duration | Acceptance Criteria |
| Accelerated Stability | 45°C, ambient humidity | 1 month | Smooth, no phase separation/odor change |
| Freeze-Thaw Cycles | -5°C to 25°C, 3 cycles | – | Emulsion stable, no viscosity loss |
| pH Measurement | Ambient | – | 4.5 – 5.5 |
| Microbial Challenge | USP <51> | – | Preservative efficacy confirmed |
Packaging Suggestions
- Use squeezable tubes or jars with wide openings for easy dispensing.
- Prefer opaque or UV-protective containers to preserve keratin protein integrity.
Summary
This professional conditioner formula offers deep nourishment, repair, and silkiness through a carefully balanced blend of keratin proteins, silicone conditioners, botanical oils, humectants, and mineral complexes. It is designed for damaged, brittle hair needing moisture, strength, and shine while maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy feel.
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