Soap Makers Help!

[smom1976]

Ok so while my mom and i were shopping we went to this store called LUSH it was all bulk soaps..

here is a link to their site..

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/bath-shower/soap

we bought one of these body butters..

the directions for this bar is ... "after you've soaped up and rinsed off your favorite lush cleanser, use me in the shower or bath to smooth soften moisturize exfolate and brighten your skin"

it does not cut grease at all but it is almost like slathering oil from a bar all over your skin, it really doesnt rinse off but you rub it in kinda..

here are the ingredients.. oh and by the way each bar listed has the ingredients..

cocoa butter, shea butter, ground rice, ground almonds, ground aduki beans, perfume, lavender oil, lemon oil, citral, limonene, linalool. these last three have a * saying that they naturally occure in essential oils.

here is another ingredient list but isnt a bunch of these ingredients detergents???Honey Water (Mel Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Perfume, Beeswax (Cera alba), Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus dulcis), Bergamot Oil (Citrus bergamia), Aloe Vera Extract (Aloe barbadensis), Aloe cupensis, Sodium Chloride, Glycerine, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), Titanium Dioxide, *Limonene, *Linalool, *Benzyl Benzoate,.

*Naturally occurs in essential oils



so input needed..

can I super super fat my soap to create this oil leaving bar?

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Interesting website, smom1976. They certainly have a large product line with some interesting combinations (gives me ideas

) but it does seem to me that they're using a good portion of synthetics in their soaps. Did I even see Sodium Hydroxide in the ingredient list???

The body butters certainly are an interesting idea. I wonder if our more experienced soapers have some suggestions of ways to create them more naturally. I would certainly be interested in trying that.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

Well after a long few days things can get back to normal. I gave those plates of soaps and all the ladies loved them

The next day DH's mom called him and let him know that his brother and his SO would also like to have some soap! I picked a few out and took them over to them before they left to go back to New Jersey. DH said that his brothers partner really liked them. I asked if he had already used them that fast and he said no. He liked the way the soaps looked and that they were both very impressed and would love to have more

They are both alot classier then my family lol I'm also hoping to hear back from my kids teachers on Monday to hear what they thought of the soap.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Yay chiknwhisperer! I also gave some to my daughter's teacher and can't wait to hear how it went.

I've been using mine now for a few weeks. They feel GREAT on my skin!

I have a question about . . . BUBBLES

Right now I'm using an Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey soap that I made. Even though it is 27% coconut oil, plus I added another 6+% Castor Oil, it's not as bubbly as I would like. Otherwise, it's a really, really nice soap. The other oils are palm, olive (35%), and avocado. What can I do to get more bubbles?

Do any of you use Palm Kernel Oil in your recipes? Are there pros and cons to it?

I'm trying to use less of the coconut since it's supposed to be drying, but I do like my bubbles. While I've tweaked some of my recipes to take the coconut closer to 20%, I'm afraid of losing hardness and the bubbles. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[chiknwhisperer]

I was wondering about the castor oil. I have a recipe that I found that I want to try but it has no castor oil in it. I was wondering how to add it to it. Can I add less OO and add CO in place of the OO that I took out?

 

[smom1976]

OH MY GOODNESS.. I get to go to a soap making store.. it is called Otion..

www.otionsoap.com

they dont have an online ordering but.. I get to go.. It is like a kid in a candy store LOL

I will let you all know the neat things I get...

 

[Morgaine]

Lucky you! Otion is the store and Brambleberry.com is the online store. I've seen some of the pictures Ann Marie has posted on line ans she makes some beautiful soaps! I'm so jealous!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Quote:
The way to create something like this is to combine your cold process soap with a melt & pour soap.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Quote:
What % palm and avocado?

I use Palm Kernel Oil (flake form) instead of Coconut. Their fatty acid profiles are nearly identical

I'm trying to use less of the coconut since it's supposed to be drying, but I do like my bubbles.

It depends how you balance out your oils to combat the higher lauric fatty acid of the coconut (or PK).

I use about 30% Palm Kernel and don't feel my soap is drying but it does have plenty of lather. To do this, I make sure my linoleic fatty acids are high. Oils that are high linoleic include:

Safflower Oil (not High Oleic)
Evening Primrose Oil
Passion Fruit Seed Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil (not High Oleic)
Grapeseed Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheatgerm Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Cottonseed
Corn Oil
Maize Oil
Crisco


Incorporate at least 15% of one of these oils into your recipe and feel free to up your coconut and/or palm kernel oil percentage.

About Castor Oil, which is mainly made up of Ricinoleic fatty acid .... is not a lathering oil according to it's fatty acid profile .(any more than any other -oleic oil such as olive.)

It can change the feel of the lather, but it doesn't boost or create more lather.​

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
Sounds like you're like me, and prefer an abundant, "loose" lather. SAME HERE! And I really have not found coconut oil to be "drying," and I use a good bit of it. And I have extremely dry-prone skin and eczema in places, so I'd notice if it was harsh. IMO, just about *any* homemade soap is a step above commercial detergent bars in terms of being drying to your skin.

The only place I really use castor oil is in shampoo bars. I've made one for years for dogs called "ShamPoodle" that I absolutely love. But for bathing, I'm not such a fan of the dense, rich lathering. I like the bubbles plentiful, loose, and light, like you!

That said, for the really dry months, and for my face, I stick to pure 100% OO soap. No real "lather" to speak of (though if you add oatmeal, it seems to help create a little lather), but you just can't use anything kinder on your skin. I've sold tons of half-size "Baby Bars" for use on newborns, with not a single ingredient other than olive oil. It's fantastic stuff, well worth the trouble and extra curing time.