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Lab Note: My “Pearl Sensation” Luxury Face Wash
Hello Hello! 😀 Today I’m obsessed with a texture. I wanted to create a face wash that felt like something you’d find in a high-end spa—something with that beautiful, silky, pearlescent glow that catches the light in the bottle.
I’ve made many face washes, but for this one, the challenge was to keep it super gentle for the skin while getting that “wow” visual effect. yeheee! 😀
The “Pearl” Strategy:
To get that shimmering look, I used a Pearlizing Agent (usually a mix of Glycol Distearate). But here’s what I noticed: if you use too much, it can make the wash feel “waxy.” I had to find the perfect balance so it stayed liquid and easy to rinse, but still looked like liquid silk.
The Formula for my Experiment:
Phase A:
Phase B (The Gentle Cleansing Trio):
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Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate – 10 (My favorite for a soft, skin-friendly clean.)
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine – 8
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Coco-Glucoside – 2
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Pearlizing Wax (Euperlan PK 771) – 3 (This is where the “Sensation” comes from!)
Phase C (The Finishing Touches):
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Hydrolyzed Silk Proteins – 1 (To match the name! 😉 )
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Preservative (According to the type I have)
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Lactic Acid (To bring the pH to 5.5)
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Fragrance (I used a very soft “Baby Powder” and “Cotton” scent—it feels so clean!)
Notes from my Beaker:
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The Visual Magic: I noticed that the “pearl” effect doesn’t show up immediately. When the mixture is hot or just freshly stirred, it looks a bit “blah.” But as it cools and the surfactants settle, the shimmering “waves” start to appear. It’s so satisfying to watch!
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No Bubbles Please: Just like my other washes, I stirred this very slowly. If I incorporate too much air, the bubbles get trapped in the pearlescent “silk” and it looks messy. Patience is key! 😀
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The pH Density: I found that when I hit pH 5.5, the Sarcosinate and the Pearlizing agent work together to get the perfect density. It’s not too liquid, not too thick—it’s just right for a pump bottle.
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Gentleness Check: Even with the “fancy” look, I kept the ASM (Active Surfactant Matter) low. My skin didn’t feel tight or “squeaky” afterward, just very soft.
Final Verdict: This is definitely the prettiest thing on my bathroom shelf right now. It’s gentle, it’s shimmering, and it makes washing my face feel like a little luxury every morning. ENJOY! 😀
