BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Soapberry & gleditsia body wash OEM/ODM manufacturing
Soapberry & Gleditsia Body Wash · OEM/ODM
Boiling soapberries and gleditsia pods to wash hair and bathe is a familiar habit in many Vietnamese families; that is a cultural story for your brand, not evidence of efficacy. The two plants belong to different families: soapberry is in the genus Sapindus (soapberry family), gleditsia in the genus Gleditsia (legume family); what they share is fruit containing saponins, compounds with surface activity. The extracts used in manufacturing are solutions pre-dissolved in glycerin and water, with no declared saponin content, and the literature has no human trials of body washes containing these two extracts. So this soapberry and gleditsia body wash is built as a gentle body wash: cleansing, lather and viscosity come from an amino acid, glucoside and betaine surfactant system, as on our general body wash page; soapberry and gleditsia are the named ingredients that carry the story, along with the technical work specific to plant extracts: keeping the color stable, preventing sediment, controlling microbial risk and warning users to avoid the eyes. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Two herbal extracts in a gentle cleansing base
The formula has the same four groups as any body wash; the difference is that the two named plant extracts change the color, viscosity and microbial risk of the base, so they go into the very first sample rather than being added at the end.
Soapberry and gleditsia: choosing the right material
The materials Butter-C currently holds are solutions: "Glycerin (and) Water (and) Sapindus mukurossi extract" (soapberry) and "Glycerin (and) Water (and) Gleditsia fera extract" (gleditsia). The CosIng names differ: Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract (spelled with an o, function skin conditioning) and Gleditsia Fera Pod Extract for gleditsia pods (functions cleansing, hair conditioning); CosIng has no entry for "Gleditsia Fera Extract" or "Gleditsia Fera Fruit Extract". The label uses an INCI name that exists in the inventory and matches the species and plant part on the certificate of analysis, and lists the accompanying glycerin and water.
Primary cleansing system
Amino acid surfactant (sodium lauroyl glutamate), glucosides (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside) and cocamidopropyl betaine, following the same principles as our general body wash page. This is what determines cleansing, lather and viscosity; mildness is a property of the whole blend and is measured on the finished product.
Conditioning agents
Glycerin (counting the glycerin already present in the two extract solutions), panthenol and a guar-derived cationic polymer for a soft feel after rinsing. The cationic polymer needs a compatibility test with the extracts, as it can cause clouding or precipitation.
Texture, chelation, preservation and fragrance
Xanthan gum or salt for viscosity; a chelating agent (disodium EDTA, or tetrasodium glutamate diacetate for a natural positioning) limits color change caused by metal ions; the preservative system is challenge-tested to ISO 11930. A light herbal fragrance evokes the traditional washing pot, using fragrance with the supplier's IFRA certificate.
Key technical points
Five things specific to a body wash with saponin extracts
These are the points where a soapberry and gleditsia body wash differs from a standard one; each is settled by testing on samples.
Saponins cannot cleanse on their own
A surfactant extracted from the soapberry plant (S. mukorossi; the abstract does not state the plant part) formed micelles and solubilized hydrocarbons in a soil-remediation experiment (Zhang N et al., 2023), not tested on skin. A liquid soap based on the extract of another species (Sapindus saponaria) lowered surface tension slightly less than an SDS formula and could not emulsify vegetable oil (Paiva et al., 2026). The solution-type materials also have no declared saponin content, so lather, cleansing and viscosity always come from the primary surfactant system.
Color, sediment and the viscosity curve
Plant extracts can shift the salt thickening curve, cause sediment and darken over time. The salt curve is rebuilt once the extract level is fixed; a chelating agent and opaque packaging help keep the color more stable.
Microbial risk
Extracts in glycerin and water are a favorable medium for microorganisms. Each extract lot needs a certificate of analysis covering microbiology and heavy metals; the finished product is preservative challenge-tested to ISO 11930. A "preservative-free" claim does not suit this water-rich format.
Eyes
Saponins are surface-active and interact with cell membranes (de Groot and Müller-Goymann, 2016; a review that did not test soapberry or gleditsia). The only eye irritation data found are in rabbits, with a purified soapberry saponin fraction below 50 mg/mL (Wei et al., 2025); gleditsia has no data of its own, and there are no data on human eyes. The label warns to avoid contact with eyes, and the finished-product safety assessment covers the risk of eye irritation.
pH and the preservative system
pH is set from the pH–clarity–viscosity curve of the surfactant system (amino acid systems are sensitive to low pH) and the working range of the preservative system: sodium benzoate needs an acidic pH, and phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% (ASEAN Annex VI).
Three formulation directions
Three ways to bring soapberry and gleditsia into the shower
Sulfate-free herbal body wash
Amino acid, glucoside and betaine system, both named extracts, the natural light-brown color of the extracts, light fragrance. For families and people who prefer gentle products; mildness is tested on the finished product.
Mass-market herbal shower gel
Sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine for rich lather at a good price; soapberry and gleditsia carry the story. It cannot be labeled "sulfate-free", and the extract color makes a clear gel hard to keep clear.
Herbal 2-in-1 hair and body wash
Builds on the gleditsia hair-washing story; developed along the lines of our 2-in-1 page, with a cationic polymer for hair and a compatibility test with the extracts. Sits in the same line as the brand's herbal shampoo.
Packaging is designed with the formula
500 ml–1 liter pump bottles, refill pouches. Opaque or amber bottles mask the gradual darkening of the extracts; pumps and gaskets are tested for compatibility with the fragrance and extracts.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on every sample
These are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up to production. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance, color & sediment
- Color, odor, clarity or opacity, settled sediment; compared with the reference sample kept in the R&D lab, since plant extracts darken over time and vary between lots.
- pH
- Measured at 25°C; pH drift is tracked across stability time points, since both the amino acid system and the preservative system depend on pH.
- Viscosity & salt curve
- Measured with a rotational viscometer at 25°C; the salt curve is rebuilt whenever the extract level or the material lot changes.
- Foaming
- Foam height and stability by a standard method or in-house procedure, compared with the approved sample.
- Stability
- Freeze–thaw cycling, storage at 40°C; monitored for separation, sediment, color change, odor change and viscosity drift.
- Incoming extract certificates
- Full INCI including solvents, species, plant part, microbiology, heavy metals; saponin content if the supplier declares it.
- Microbiology & challenge test
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test to ISO 11930.
- Fragrance allergens
- Checked against the fragrance supplier's composition statement. ASEAN has no list of fragrance allergens that must be named (Annex III entries 67–92 are blank); for export to the EU, allergens are named when they exceed 0.01% in rinse-off products (Annex III of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009).
- Packaging compatibility
- Filled into the actual bottles and pouches; pump force, leakage, staining and plastic softened by fragrance are checked.
Claims
Claims for a body wash with soapberry and gleditsia extracts
A body wash is on the skin only briefly before it is rinsed off. Evidence for the two extracts is limited: current data come from physicochemical, cell and animal studies, mostly on other species or plant parts; there are no human trials of body washes containing soapberry or gleditsia extract. Cleansing is a property of the whole product. Butter-C reviews the wording on labels and marketing materials when preparing the notification dossier.
Gently cleanses with a fine lather
Instead of: detoxifies skin, germ-free clean, kills 99.9% of bacteria.
With soapberry and gleditsia extracts; inspired by traditional hair and body washing
Instead of: completely replaces foaming agents, fully herbal or fully natural when the formula contains synthetic surfactants.
Skin feels soft, not tight, after showering (with sensory test results)
Instead of: milder than sulfates, non-irritating, unless the formula itself has been tested.
Washes away sweat and excess oil
Instead of: reduces back acne, prevents folliculitis, body odor control.
Mandatory label warning
"Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water"; stop use if redness, itching or stinging occurs. Instead of: tear-free.
Origin and intended users
State "Vietnamese soapberry and gleditsia" only when the supplier provides proof of origin. Pregnant or breastfeeding women: data are insufficient, so advise asking a doctor. Instead of: safe for mothers-to-be and babies, fully biodegradable when not tested.
Manufacturing specifications
Current capabilities
- Texture
- Lightly opaque body wash or shower gel; natural extract color or adjusted to the label.
- Pack formats
- Pump bottles, flip-cap bottles, refill pouches. Volume agreed when packaging is selected.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order and per fragrance.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; certificate of analysis delivered with every batch.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, with the certificates of analysis for both extracts.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Sulfate-free soapberry & gleditsia body wash with a herbal fragrance
A product concept to help you picture the possibilities, not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed around your brand's positioning and price range.
Amino acid and glucoside cleansing system
Sodium lauroyl glutamate, coco-glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine; fine lather, quick rinse.
Soapberry and gleditsia as named ingredients
Two extract solutions with a certificate of analysis for every lot; levels calculated on the material solution, and the label lists the accompanying INCI names.
Glycerin, panthenol, guar-derived polymer
For a soft feel after rinsing; the effect is assessed in a sensory test with volunteers.
500 ml opaque pump bottle and refill pouch
The opaque bottle masks the natural darkening of the extracts; the label carries the eye-contact warning.
Customization options
What you can specify
Within the same product type, each brand targets a different customer group. Tell us your requirements in the areas below, and our team of pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Cleansing system
Sulfate-free (amino acids, glucosides) or sulfate-based for rich lather at a good price; a glucoside-free version for people with a known allergy to this group.
One extract or two
Gleditsia only, soapberry only, or both; the level is linked to color, viscosity and cost.
Fragrance
A herbal scent evoking the traditional washing pot (pomelo, lemongrass, African basil), a light scent or fragrance-free.
Color and texture
Keep the natural light-brown extract color or adjust it; opaque body wash or gel.
Herbal product line
Paired with an herbal shampoo, conditioner or 2-in-1 wash so the whole line shares one story.
Ingredient direction
Vegan, paraben-free, colorant-free: please state these at the outset, as they affect the preservative system and material choices.
Further reading
Related topics
Soapberry in cosmetics
Species, INCI names, saponins, limited evidence, safety and ASEAN regulations (in Vietnamese).
Gleditsia in cosmetics
Gleditsia fera and related species, INCI names by plant part, and what the literature has tested (in Vietnamese).
Body wash manufacturing
General principles of the cleansing system, conditioning agents and fragrance in body washes.
Types of foaming agents
Why lather and cleansing come from the primary surfactant system, not from the extracts (in Vietnamese).
Herbal shampoo manufacturing
Gleditsia, pomelo peel and African basil in shampoo, sharing the same herbal story.
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
Head office: Huu Le village, Dai Thanh commune, Hanoi · Factory: Thanh Oai Industrial Cluster, Binh Minh commune, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline +84 967 176 511 · [email protected] · Privacy policy ← Full catalog