In addition to create desirable properties and reducing side effects (such as dryness and dermatitis of the skin), additives improve the liquid hand wash formulation in cleaning, foaming and emulsion performance.

In this regard, R & D unit of Maad Steel Company has recently designed a liquid hand wash formulation containing various plant extracts with desirable cleansing properties, softness and gentleness of the skin.

This formulation consists of a suitable and compatible ternary surfactant system with high cleaning and foaming power, which removes all impurities and microorganisms from the skin of the hand. However, safety studies of detergents show that free monomers of surfactant in the wash environment interact with proteins of skin and cause undesirable skin irritation and excessive dryness. As a result, dry and rough skin is prone to cracking or inflammation.

One solution to this problem is to use beneficial plant extracts (in an effective amount) in the liquid hand wash formulation, which in addition creating a feeling of softness and gentleness of the skin, gives special properties to the product.

Some of these extracts are: green tea, lemon, hollyhock and seaweed. Green tea extract has anti-aging and antioxidant properties that can improve wrinkles, sunburn, rashes of skin.

Lemon extract is rich in vitamin C and citric acid, which helps to shine and brighten the skin. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and increase collagen production.

Seaweed is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and beneficial amino acids.

Thus it has a very positive effect on the skin. Seaweed as a powerful cleanser, by maintaining the balance of skin fat, removes dead cells and other impurities on the skin surface and makes it younger, smoother, brighter and more elastic.

It also has moisturizing properties by retaining moisture in the deep layers of the skin.

In order to evaluate the effect of these plant extracts on skin irritation potential, the zein number of samples containing and without extracts was measured. The zain number, is expressed as milligrams of dissolved protein in 100 ml of sample and indicates the potential for skin irritation by detergents.

Use of zein number for determining the skin irritation range by detergents

As you can see in the table, the zein number of liquid hand wash decreased from 182 to 106/4 after using these extracts. This shows well the use of these plant extracts significantly reduces the skin irritation potential by hand wash liquid and increases the feeling of softness and gentleness of the skin. Also, due to use of effective amount of these additives, other properties such as cleaning and foaming power of the formulation remained almost constant. The foam height test was performed for both liquids with and without extracts and foam volume obtained 64 and 60 cc, respectively. Also, the foam stability was excellent.

This formulation can be changed for a wide range of user with various skin. In the Maad Steel research and development laboratory, we have the necessary equipment for quality control and product evaluation. So, we always improve the quality of these formulas and support the promotion of technical knowledge.