Back to basics

[rain_darned_owl]

Ok, so I have been making soap since spring and have made around 35 batches, but I don't have a good feel for what each ingredient gives to a bar of soap as I have been using recipes from books, kits, from the forum, etc. So I feel like I have been a bit scatter brained in my approach and want to correct that now. I also have a different oils and butters from making lotions, so that hasn't helped!!

I have created a spreadsheet and so far have 4 oils on it that I am planning to vary the amounts of. I know there is a post somewhere similar to what I am asking but I can't find it again. I have dry dry dry (did I mention dry) skin, I like bubbles, and I don't like the squeeky clean feeling. So if I am waaay off base with my plan below please let me know.


e.g.
batch 1: Coconut Oil - 15%, Olive - 20%, Palm Oil - 60%, Castor - 5% (recipe from Susie)
batch 2: Coconut - 15%, Olive - 25%, Palm Oil - 55%, Castor - 5%
batch 3: Coconut - 15%, Olive - 30%, Palm Oil - 50%, Castor - 5%
batch 4: Coconut - 15%, Olive - 35%, Palm Oil - 45%, Castor - 5%
batch 5: Coconut - 20%, Olive - 20%, Palm Oil - 55%, Castor - 5%
etc.
(I have 10 variations so far on my spreadsheet)

Q -- When I vary the % of the oils is an increment of 5% going to be noticeable or should I make it 10%? I don't want to go higher than 25% for the coconut oil for now.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I would vary it by different amounts, depending on how much of the recipe it is - if you have 50% lard and 5% castor, 10% increase on the lard from 50 to 60% isn't huge, but it is for the castor from 5 to 15%

 

[IrishLass]

How do each of the soaps feel to your skin in comparison to each other? In other words, do you feel some to be more drying than others?


IrishLass

 

[Susie]

Sounds like a good plan. Keep the CO down to 15%, and the Castor Oil at 5%, and you can try everything else.

Do you have an objection to using animal fats? If not, I can strongly suggest lard as being more conditioning.

 

[navigator9]

If your skin is dry, I'd up the olive oil. My basic recipe has more than 50% olive oil. You might want to try out some avocado oil, too.

 

[shunt2011]

I agree with navigator. I personally would add some Avocado and up the Olive a bit. Especially when using palm. Also, what SF are you using? You may want to try to up that a bit too.

 

[rain_darned_owl]

Thanks everyone for chiming in!! Was planning on a 5% superfat for all the batches to keep it consistent. I am using Palm Oil as I already have it, somehow can't bring myself to buy lard (not a vegetarian or anything, I just can't stand the name of it!! )

I do have Avocado Oil already so will probably add that in too but am trying to keep it simple. There are just too many options. I have also made some goat milk soap so I was debating whether to replace the water with milk for these tests. Maybe buttermilk instead as it should be cheaper.

 

[shunt2011]

I use buttermilk and cream along with GM & Coconut. They make lovely soaps.

 

[Arthur Dent]

You will eventually come over to the lard side. It makes great soap.
<Resistance is futile>

 

[Arimara]

You will eventually come over to the lard side. It makes great soap.
<Resistance is futile>

a
I'll take your word for it but I'm looking forward to working with beef tallow! :mrgreen:

<All Your Base {oils} Are Belong to Me... er, Us>

 

[traderbren]

somehow can't bring myself to buy lard (not a vegetarian or anything, I just can't stand the name of it!! )

You can turn the tub around to the Spanish side, and call it Manteca instead. Then it sounds more exotic...

I love my luxurious Manteca bars.

 

[rain_darned_owl]

Hmm, I am in Canada so Lard in french is ... saindoux .... le savon de saindoux .. definitely sounds better than lard soap!!