High Performance Conditioning Shampoo with Hyaluronic Acid and Sustainable Surfactants

The study developed a sustainable conditioning shampoo using hyaluronic acid (HA) and natural surfactants, specifically alkyl polyglucoside (APG) and acidic sophorolipid (ASL). Results showed that lower molecular weight HA (8 kDa) significantly reduced wet combing force, improving hair manageability. Higher HA concentrations and the addition of ASL further enhanced conditioning properties, with ASL achieving a 71.9% reduction in combing force. Rheological analysis indicated that higher HA concentrations and molecular weights resulted in desirable non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior. Surface tension and foaming properties were also optimized, with APG producing more stable foam. The optimal formulation, containing 1% HA, 10% ASL, and 1% NaCl, demonstrated excellent conditioning, desirable rheology, and good foam generation, suggesting a viable path towards more sustainable hair care products.