Can anyone tell me what this powdery residue is? (NOT soda ash)

[Tuftyloves]

Almost every batch of soap I make, I get this powdery residue after the cure. This is not soda ash (I’ve dealt with my fair share of that and know what it looks like, and consequently adjusted my recipe.) I use a very low water content. It doesn’t zap, it goes away with steam but will sometimes come back, and often shows up looking like tiny white beads (almost like glycerin beads on M&P).

My recipe:
45% olive oil
35% coconut oil
10% shea butter
7% cocoa butter
3% castor oil
1.2 : 1 water : lye

Happens regardless of colorants or fragrances

 

[Kari Howie]

Can they be planed off?

 

[lsg]

If it goes away with steam, I would say it is soda ash. Soap can appear to sweat in a humid environment.

 

[AliOop]

It looks exactly like soda ash to me. It does take a variety of forms. Some of it is easy to steam off, some isn't. Some is powdery, some is like crystals.

Speaking of crystals, do you use citric acid or any salts in your soap? Those don't look like CA crystals to me, but if you do use it regularly, try making a batch without it (or with much less of it).