How to suspend in liquid soap?

Question

I don't know the correct terminology, but, I made a shampoo for my dog that I absolutely love. It's essentially liquid Dawn (for it's flea killing properties), essential oils, and a lotion base (goats milk) and some coconut oil with ground oatmeal. Anyhow, the problem I am having is that everything keeps separating. What do I need to add to make everything stay mixed and 'suspend' the oatmeal in the shampoo (kind of like exfoliants in body soaps and stuff)? The only conclusion I could come to was to mix in some melt/pour bases (glycerine?) and that would thicken it up. I wanted to ask everyone's opinion before trying this.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

You need an emulsifier to keep the water-based and oil-based chemicals in suspension. Lecithin might work, but it might also not be great for the dog if he has allergies (most lecithin is soy-based, and soy is one of the more common dog - and people - allergens).

The oatmeal is a different story. Most oatmeal liquid soaps are made with pulverized oatmeal, not with flakes. Oatmeal flakes are just too heavy to keep in solution.

Answer 2

Try finding information on how to make homemade soaps and lotions. At one time, I wanted to learn how to make goats milk soap and found websites with directions.

Good Luck!!