DIY Pumpkin Spice Handwash for Halloween

Content

ABOUT THE FORMULA

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about sugar crashes and dodgy face paint. For us formulation nerds, it’s the perfect excuse to whip up something cosy, skin-loving, and wonderfully autumnal without the sticky mess.

This Pumpkin Spice Handwash is more than just a seasonal scent. It’s a gentle, moisturising formula designed with beginners in mind. If you’ve ever felt unsure about surfactants or how to blend essential oils safely, this is the formula to ease you in. It smells like autumn in a bottle, gently cleanses without drying out your hands, and is ideal for family use during germy season.

HOW TO USE

Dispense one pump onto wet hands. Lather gently and rinse thoroughly. Use daily as needed.

ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Iselux Ultra Mild  – A gentle, pre-blended surfactant base that foams beautifully without stripping the skin

  • Glycerin  – A classic humectant to keep hands soft and hydrated

  • Panthenol – Pro-vitamin B5, which helps soothe and repair your skin

  • SymbioSolv Clear Plus  – A natural solubiliser to keep the essential oils safely dispersed

  • Orange Soap-Safe Colourant  – For that classic pumpkin spice vibe

  • Rokonsal BSB-N  – A broad-spectrum, skin-friendly preservative

  • Lactic Acid (as needed) – To bring the pH down to around 5.0-5.5 and naturally thicken the formula

  • Distilled Water – The rest of the formula

 

What you’ll need:

  • A few clean beakers or a mixing jug

  • A glass rod or spatula

  • A scale that measures to 0.01g

  • Gloves, goggles, and good ventilation (especially when working with essential oils)

  • A pump bottle (amber is perfect for the Halloween vibe)

POSSIBLE SOURCES

This is where I purchased my ingredients:

Iselux® Ultra Mild– INCI: Aqua (and) Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (and) Cocamidopropyl Betaine (and) Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate (and) Lauryl Glucosides (and) Coco-Glucosides

Symbiosolv Clear Plus MB – INCI: Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Aqua, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Sodium Surfactin

THE FORMULA

Phase Ingredient Function % w/w
A Iselux Ultra Mild Surfactant blend 30.0
B SymbioSolv Clear Plus Solubiliser 5.0
B Sweet orange essential oil Fragrance 0.60
B Geranium essential oil Fragrance 0.20
B Ginger essential oil Fragrance 0.20
B Nutmeg essential oil Fragrance 0.20
B Cinnamon bark essential oil Fragrance 0.10
B Clove essential oil Fragrance 0.10
C Distilled water Solvent To 100%
C Panthenol Vitamin, moisturising 1.0
C Glycerin Humectant 7.0
D Soap colourant - water-soluble - orange Colourant 0.05
D Rokonsal BSB-N Preservative 1.0
E pH adjuster pH adjuster qs

Method:

  • Surfactant Phase (A)
    Weigh your Iselux in a beaker.

  • Solubilise the essential oils (B)
    In a separate container, mix all your essential oils with SymbioSolv Plus. This step is crucial for achieving even dispersion and ensuring safety.

  • Combine 
    Add the oil-solubiliser blend into your surfactant base. Mix gently until fully uniform.

  • Water Phase (C)

    In a beaker, weigh the water.  Add in the glycerin and the panthenol. Mix well.

  • Combine water with the surfactants
    Add the water phase slowly to the surfactants, mixing carefully to avoid foam. The mixture should become slightly cloudy but well-blended.

  • Add the colourant (D)
    Blend the orange colour into your surfactant mixture for a warm, festive glow.

  • Add the preservative. (D)

  • Adjust pH & thicken (E)
    Check the pH and adjust using lactic acid. Aim for 5.0-5.5. This ensures the formula is skin-friendly and also helps it naturally thicken.

  • Bottle
    Pour into your final container.

  • Let it settle
    Let the handwash rest overnight to reduce bubbles and allow the scent to mellow.

WHY THIS IS PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS

  • No thickener needed – Iselux Ultra Mild thickens naturally when pH is adjusted. If you want it thicker, you can use a gum for it. 

  • Pre-blended surfactant – Simplifies mixing and reduces formulation errors

  • Essential oil safety – Carefully calculated and diluted for rinse-off use

  • Bright and fun – The orange colourant brings the Halloween feel without fuss

 

This little project ticks off loads of beginner wins in one go: working with surfactants, solubilisers, preservation, and pH adjustment. 

Not bad for a seasonal handwash, eh?

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Once you’ve nailed this version, have a play with it.

  • Swap in lavender or mandarin for a softer scent if you’re making it for little ones. 

  • Add a natural extract like calendula for extra soothing power

  • Try a festive green or red colourant for other seasons

The beauty of formulation is that once you understand the structure, you can tweak it to suit your needs and your family’s preferences.

SAFETY NOTE

This formula is intended for personal, rinse-off use and has been designed to stay within typical dermal limits for essential oils. However, cinnamon and clove oils are known skin sensitisers. If you have sensitive skin or are making this for children, consider reducing or substituting these oils with gentler alternatives.

Always patch test your final product before full use. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. Ensure you source essential oils with clear IFRA documentation and adjust usage accordingly based on your supplier’s certificate.

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace cosmetic safety assessments required for commercial sales.

Let us know what you think in the comments!

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