Indian Soapnut (Reetha) Powder
A saponin-rich botanical powder derived from the Reetha fruit for gentle cleansing; acts as a mild cleanser that helps remove oils and impurities and leaves a fresh feel in powder masks, powder cleansers, and scalp treatments.
INCI: Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Powder; common name: Indian Soapnut / Reetha
A chelating agent that binds metal ions in the formula, improving stability, product quality, and performance over time.
Reetha powder contains saponins that produce a light foam when extracted in Aqua. In rinse-off formats (powder cleansers, masks, scalp scrubs) it helps lift surface oils. It disperses well in dry blends and can be boiled/soaked in Aqua or glycols to create a gentle, plant-based cleansing phase for gels and liquid washes. Use an appropriate preservation system in any water-based formula and avoid eye contact.
Benefits:
● Gentle natural cleansing (saponin activity)
● Helps reduce oiliness and surface residues
● Clean after-feel post-rinse
● Supports creamier foam when combined with other surfactants
● Plant-derived and biodegradable
●
Usable as a
powder or as an aqueous extract for liquid formats
How to use:
● Powder formats (masks/cleansing grains/scalp powder): blend dry with clays; wet at use with Aqua or a hydrosol to form a smooth paste.
● Aqueous extract (boil/soak): boil the powder in Aqua for 10–20 minutes, cool, fine-filter, then preserve; use as the cleansing phase.
● Surfactant systems: combine the extract with mild amphoteric/anionic surfactants to improve foam/viscosity; adjust salt/polymer as needed.
●
Safety: avoid
the eye area; patch test for sensitive skin.
Recommended usage levels in skincare:
● Powder cleansers/cleansing grains/face masks: 5–30%
● Scalp powder/shampoo: 5–25%
● Aqueous extracts in gels/toners: 2–10% (as final extract percentage; depends on extract strength)
●
Liquid
facial/body cleansers (using the extract): 2–8% (as extract percentage within
the aqueous phase)
Solubility:
● Insoluble as a raw powder in oils and Aqua; dispersible as a powder
●
Extractable
in hot Aqua (also in glycols or a light hydroalcoholic mixture); filter to
remove particulates
Applications:
● Facial cleansers and clay/powder masks
● Scalp-cleansing powders/shampoos
● Mild liquid facial/body washes based on botanical extract
● Cleansing gels and makeup-remover bases (with auxiliary surfactants)
●
Scrubs
seeking gentle cleansing support
Storage:
Keep tightly closed, protected from light and moisture, at a moderate
temperature (below 25 °C).