Another Preservative question (Liquapar/Phenonip)

[themusingnerve]

Okay, so I've kind of come to the conclusion that I need a preservative in my soap if I use fruits or vegetables. The process I'm using is HP, just so you know.

I've been reading up on some stuff and I found a preservative called Phenonip that seems like it would work well...seems being key, here. It seems that it's mostly used in lotions but I THINK it is for soap also. Does anyone have any info on this/personal experience with it? It also seems to me that LiquaPar is another preservative that can be used in soap. I'm still super confused about this.

If anybody knows about these 2 preservatives--or better yet--knows what preservative would be best to use in general---please give me some insight! Thanks so much!

 

[themusingnerve]

For any of you as curious as me about preservatives I found an answer to this question here: http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/u ... tions.html

 

[carebear]

Hmmm, I've only used food ingredients in CP soap, not HP - but in CP at least, no preservative is necessary for pureed foods, and no preservative would be adequate if you use chunky foods.

If you really think you need a preservative, check with the supplier (or online) for the limitations of the various options - the pH range at which they are effective (even well cured soap has a high pH), the temperature sensitivity (which would impact at what point you could add the preservative), the solubility (again - at what point would you add it?).

 

[madpiano]

and then you get Lush doing this (their soap is essentially m&p):

http://www.lush.co.uk/products/bath/soap/summer-pudding_1402.html

And if you read their forums and message board, yes, the cherries go manky and sometimes mouldy (if soap isn't used every day)

 

[PrairieCraft]

My parents were in Lush this weekend and thought all the soap looked disgusting, cheap and weird. It was funny to hear them talk about it. Everyone who knows me is turning into a soap critic.

 

[soapbuddy]

I was given <gasp> a gift of L*sh soap as a gift. Within the week the fruit that was in there grew moldy. Blech! I threw it out.

I would add any fruit or veggie as if you were doing CO, then HP it if you must. that way you won't need to worry about preservatives or mold. BTW; most preservatives would get negated by the lye.