FORMULATION PROPERTIES:-

Shaving cream develops quickly rich and soft foam & remains on the skin without drying for at least 5-10 minutes is the cream of choice.

A lubricating action without any irritation action of cream to the skin is also the consumer’s demand.

Considering these, for the formulation of shaving cream a special case is taken into account on the followings-

1.Surfactants:

It is the main ingredient of shaving cream. Surfactants which are used in shaving cream provide the following effects-

· Wetting effect

· Foaming effect

· Foaming stabilizing effect.

By wetting effect they provide the swelling and softening of the hair. By foaming effect they provide foam which helps to hold the hair effect so that hairs can not escape the blade. In case of Shaving cream, quick, finer and danger state lather is expected which will also not create any irritation. So, care must be taken during selection of a surfactant. Surfactants also provide foam stabilizing effect Depending on the effects that provided by the surfactants, they can be classified into the following groups—

(a)Wetting agents --Na dioctyl sulfosuccinote

--Polyoxy ethylene and butyl alcohol

(b)Foaming agents-combination mixture of Na-lauryl sulfate and caprylic acid–diethanolamide. This combination gives too much foam.

(c)Foam stabilizing agents-

Amount – may be up to 60%

Generally shaving soaps are K-salt with a small portion of Na-salt of Stearic and palmitic acid potassium salts are most suitable for the purpose intended because they are more readily soluble in water. Palmitic and Stearic acids are preferred because they produce fine stable product which has no irritating effect.

2. Humactants:

Humactants in a shaving cream offer the following functions-

(a)They help to retain water in the formulation & thus maintain its normal foam. It maintains the rheological property of cream.

(b)They stabilize the foam by preventing evaporation of water.

In shaving creams generally glycerin, sorribital propylene.

The concentration may be up to 5%

3. Super fatting agents:

Super fatting agents are used for the following purposes-

(a) To make the lather softer

(b) To increase the stability of the foam

(c) It also exerts a lubricating effect on the skin.

(d) To neutralize the free alkali that must be present in the preparation.

The following super fatting agents are usually used-

-Petrolatum -Free fatty acids e.g. stearic acid.

-Fatty alcohol -Free coconut or other vegetable oil.

-Lanolin -Boric acid.

-Polyoxy ethyline

4. Preservatives:

Shaving cream is a slightly alkaline preparation and this alkalinity favor the growth of microorganisms. Due to stability consideration and economical view points, there is no scope of sterilization of the having cream. So, preservative is included in the preparation.

e.g. Methyl paraben -- 0.18% Antimicrobial

Propyl pataben -- 0.02% Preservative

Chloroform -- 0.02%

BHT -- 0.05%

Na - metabisuffite- Antimidant.

5. Fragrances:

Fragrances are used to mask the unpleasant odor of the surfactants and super fatting agents as well as to offer a pleasant sensation. Generally, natural fragrances are used which also give an antiseptic property e.g. menthol, thymol, camphor, lemon etc.

These perfumes or flavors are usually used in shaving cream. One of the flavors must be mild in the preparation. Some flavors e.g. camphor menthol. Exert cooling effect on the skin.

6. Viscosity imparting agents:

It is essential for shaving cream to give them correct consistency which must remain stable over a wide Temperature range. Cream of this tends to thicken at elevated temperature. So, certain salts e.g. borax (0.1-1%) are often used in the formulation which strongly affect the consistency of the cream. Glycerin can give a pleasant consistency.

7. Colors:

Use of color is not essential in shaving cream Color when used should be very light e.g. off white, light. Green, blue or pink water soluble color is advisable to use.

8. Water:

Water is added in the shaving cream to maintain the rheological property of the cream. It also facilitates softening and swelling of hair Amount of enter in a shaving cream must be option. So that al low temperature shaving cream cans its normal viscosity and blow property.

Amount of water (25-30%) in shaving cream is higher than in shaving cream. If we want to prepare a medicate shaving cream, then the following considerations are taken into account.

9. Antiseptic:

Corneam and epidermis layers of skin may be removed and minor cuts may occur during shaving. To get remedy from these hazards, antiseptic is added to the formulation.

Chlorhexidine type antiseptics are used. But to use them, chelation or complexation of them with surfactants is to be considered. Other substances having antiseptic properties are camphor menthol, alum etc. They have also got cooling effect.

10. Astringents:

During shaving bleeding may occur due to any cuts. So, astringents are used which constrict the exposed capillary and help to stop bleeding. Alum is the most common astringent used for shaving cream.

11. Cooling agents:

Three provide cooling effects during shaving and washing e.g. menthol, camphor etc.