Almond Milk Vs Oat Milk

[Dean]

Hi.

I'm considering adding vegan milk to soap. Has anyone used almond and oat milk in their soap, separately? What is your preference and why? Does milk make a difference or does it all just go down the drain as I've heard with additives and super-fat.

 

[earlene]

In my lifetime, I have tried many non-dairy milk substitutes for nourishment. Long ago I stopped buying them because most had so much added sugar, I couldn't really stand them. Oat milk is not one I ever saw for sale in the stores where I have shopped, but I haven't looked in a long time.

At one point I did try one of them (almond, maybe, but I don't really remember) in soap and didn't find it particularly different than just plain water in soap with a little sugar tossed in to boost bubbles.

I have made my own almond milk in smoothies, but the cost of raw sprouted almonds is too high to be using in soap, IMO. But I think there is at least one member on the forum who has used their own home-made almond milk in soap. What kinds of almonds one uses is a personal preference, of course.

Some folks say adding milks of varying kinds makes a difference, and other say that in blind tests (unlabeled soaps with various milk additives and a control soap without any additives) the test subjects couldn't tell the difference. I would conclude that it is more for label appeal than anything else for the general public.

 

[shunt2011]

I tried Almond milk and didn’t notice a difference in the soap. However, I use coconut milk quite frequently. I think it adds a creaminess and adds to the lather.

 

[dixiedragon]

I tried Almond milk and didn’t notice a difference in the soap. However, I use coconut milk quite frequently. I think it adds a creaminess and adds to the lather.

Shunt, is that canned coconut milk or the coconut milk in the carton? They really need to differentiate those - I think the ones in the carton are mostly water, and are meant to be used the same way as almond milk, soy milk, etc, vs the thick, rich stuff in the can.

 

[amd]

I have used "almond milk". Quotation marks used because what I did was not what I think a true almond milk is. I put some almonds and water in a blender and blitzed the heck out of it, then strained it. It was nice soap, but I like my coconut milk soaps better. One of my soapmaking friends did a similar thing with to make "oat milk" and it was a nicer soap than my psuedo almond milk soap. I also have rice water on my list to do.

I think the canned coconut milk depends on the brand you buy. I've had some brands that were thick gloopy stuff until you got everything out of the can and blitzed it, and then it was still more of a heavy cream. I have used the canned coconut milk that my grocer carries in the Mexican foods aisle and that is more like milk than cream.

 

[dibbles]

I've made and used oat milk a couple of times. It was nice and the lather was good, but I also added honey to those batches. I've never used almond milk in soap. I do like coconut milk in soap, but don't use it too often. I'd say just try it - experimenting is part of the fun

 

[artemis]

I have used "almond milk". Quotation marks used because what I did was not what I think a true almond milk is. I put some almonds and water in a blender and blitzed the heck out of it, then strained it.

Those are pretty much the instructions I found for making almond milk. There may have been a little cooking, but otherwise about the same.

 

[ilovebathing]

I have tried rice milk (fresh made), oatmilk (blended oats with water too, then strained) coconut milk (canned), and carton almond coconut milk blend. I think I have tried them all If I had to compare it to one of my soaps that is just with water or tea blend, it actually lathers differently and has more of creamy lather. Then when I dry my hand with a towel, I feel a softness to my hands when I used the milk one. With my hemp and olive (no scent), it feels rather plain or has less creamy appearance.

 

[Obsidian]

Shunt, is that canned coconut milk or the coconut milk in the carton? They really need to differentiate those - I think the ones in the carton are mostly water, and are meant to be used the same way as almond milk, soy milk, etc, vs the thick, rich stuff in the can.

The kind in a can. If you can, find a brand without a bunch of additives.

 

[Dean]

Thanks all for the responses.

 

[cmzaha]

I often use the coconut milk in the carton just for label appeal, since I admit I can tell no difference between my soap with water, oat milk/water or vinegar. I do notice a creaminess when I use canned coconut milk, which I do adjust the CO to compensate for the extra fat, but it does seem to cut lather some. As for GM soaps they are nice but I do notice a difference with the Camel Milk soaps I make. GM is good but Camel is better, except for the fact it cost a lot

 

[shunt2011]

Shunt, is that canned coconut milk or the coconut milk in the carton? They really need to differentiate those - I think the ones in the carton are mostly water, and are meant to be used the same way as almond milk, soy milk, etc, vs the thick, rich stuff in the can.

Sorry about that....meant to say canned coconut. The carton stuff is not close to the same.

Also, if you have a Big Lots near they sell the coconut in a can for 1.00 which is the cheapest I've been able to find. They recently had a 20% off sale on everything and I bought them out of all their Coconut Milk. About 25 cans worth.

 

[Ellacho]

I have made just about all milk soaps including hazelnut and sunflower. I didn't notice much of difference in most of them, except coconut milk and soy -( used fresh & organic milk). Coconut milk gives more creamy leathers and the soy milk feels really nice on my skin.

 

[user 20684]

I've used almond milk from a carton. It makes a nice soap, but I found it tricky to get to trace. It seemed to get nice and thick but separated. in the mould. It wasn't zappy, and rebatched okay, though it looks like rice pudding.

 

[gloopygloop]

I have noticed that many brands of Coconut milk have added xanthan gum, whichI imagine is an emulsifier to keep it homogenised, could this be adding to the silky or creamy feel people are getting? and does coconut cream the semi solid stuff without any additives have the same effect?