| What is it? | Plantapon® TF is a pre-blended sulfate-free surfactant product made by BASF Care Creations as part of their “Plantapon®” range of surfactant products. The “TF” suffix stands for “tear-free” as this surfactant blend is marketed for use in tear-free and other sensitive skin formulations.
In addition to Decyl Glucoside and Coco Glucoside (two natural non-ionic surfactants), Plantapon® TF also contains Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate and Glyceryl Oleate. Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate is another gentle, natural, non-ionic surfactant that improves foaming; Glyceryl Oleate is a conditioning/re-fatting ingredient, helping make the overall product milder. Plantapon® TF has been approved by the Natural Products Association. |
| INCI | Decyl Glucoside (and) Polyglyceryl-10 Caprylate/Caprate (and) Coco-Glucoside (and) Glyceryl Oleate |
| Appearance | Yellow liquid |
| Usage rate | The manufacturer of Plantapon® TF suggests usage around 20%. It contains 60% active surfactant matter. |
| Scent | Characteristic; detergent-y |
| Active surfactant matter | 60% |
| pH | 4.5–5.5 |
| Charge | Non-ionic |
| Solubility | Water |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | Plantapon® TF works as a lovely primary surfactant blend in our products. It is gentle, natural, and produces a beautiful, rich lather with really nice rinse-off. |
| Do you need it? | No, but it is a nice “shortcut” surfactant product. |
| Refined or unrefined? | Plantapon® TF only exists as a refined product, but it is considered to be natural. |
| Strengths | Plantapon® TF is an easy-to-use blend that functions nicely as a primary surfactant, and could also be used as the only surfactant product in a formulation. If you don’t want to invest in a lot of surfactants it’s a good option for easily creating a variety of gentle foaming/cleansing products. |
| Weaknesses | I’ve only found one place to purchase it. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | You’ll want at least one non-ionic surfactant (Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, etc.) and a water-soluble re-fatting ingredient (Olivem 300, water-soluble shea butter, Glyceryl Oleate, etc.). I’d probably start with 90–95% surfactant, and 5–10% re-fatting/conditioning ingredient.
You will likely want to test and adjust the pH downwards as well; most glucosides are quite basic, and the pH of Plantapon® TF is mildly acidic. You could also try substituting Plantapon® TF for non-ionic surfactants in other formulations. With 60% ASM, it is very similar in concentration to Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, and Lauryl Glucoside, so you could likely swap it out 1:1 and still get very similar results in cleansers, shampoos, etc. |
| How to Work with It | Include it with the surfactant and/or water phase of your formulation. Plantapon® TF can be hot or cold processed. I like to add an amphoteric surfactant to formulations including Plantapon® TF as it does not contain one, but this is not required. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Plantapon® TF should last two years. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | There are quite a few products in the Plantapon® range, so make sure you’re purchasing the correct one!
BASF lists Plantapon® TF as having “good” salt thickening. It is preserved with Sodium Benzoate. |
| Recommended starter amount | 250mL (8 fl oz) |
| Where to Buy it | As of June 2020 I’ve only found it for sale at Voyageur Soap & Candle out of Canada. |
Want to compare different surfactants?
Check out my super-useful surfactants table!
