Cocoa Butter vs. Shea Butter?

[raynedanser]

I've seen some recipes that call for shea butter, but I'm allergic to it (which bites and is why I've begun making my own soap), so shea is out for me.

Can cocoa butter easily be substituted for it?

 

[Soaplady22]

Yes - just run it through a lye calc.
It makes a slightly harder bar than shea - and works great!! Sub 1:1.

 

[raynedanser]

Thank you!

 

[fiddletree]

They have different characteristics, and create different lather. Both are wonderful, although I don't think I'd put more than 10% CB in, and with shea you can go higher without doing funny things to the lather.

 

[raynedanser]

Good to know, thanks. Unfortunately, shea won't ever make an appearance here, but cocoa and mango have been known to turn up in the past. ;-)

 

[honor435]

Ive used both, they're both good.

 

[soapbuddy]

I'm allergic to shea as well. I prefer mango butter.

 

[raynedanser]

soapbuddy - I LOVE mango butter a lot!

 

[Maythorn]

I find shea makes for a more moisturizing bar out of the two butters.

 

[raynedanser]

That may well be, but it doesn't make a lot of difference if I'm allergic and can't use the end result. :wink:

 

[Maythorn]

That may well be, but it doesn't make a lot of difference if I'm allergic and can't use the end result. :wink:

Oh I apologize! I missed that. When I used both butters in the past I do remember people saying no shea for me because they were allergic. One relative has a chocolate allergy and so he couldn't use CB. I remember shea was .128 and cocoa was .137 from the chart I used.

 

[raynedanser]

S'ok! I figured it probably got lost in the shuffle. I really wish I wasn't allergic as I love it.

 

[Soapy Gurl]

Cocoa butter is so much harder than shea. I wonder if you could find a blend of cocoa butter and an oil, maybe avocado, that would give you the same properties. Find the top properties of shea, then cocoa butter and then look for an oil that has the missing ones.

 

[fiddletree]

Oh, yeah avocado! I recently made some lovely soap with 20% avocado oil and 10% cocoa butter. I tried a bar last night for the first time (just made it last month) and it was wonderful, with a nice creamy lather.

 

[raynedanser]

*nods* The hardness is what made me ask.

Using avocado oil as well (which I also already have, yay!) is a great idea.

The soap sounds wonderful, do you have the recipe handy? I'm still learning how to tweak, etc. :wink:

 

[littlboz]

Shea butter alternatives

In this link, underneath the tittle "Love That Creamy Lather," you will find all substitutes for shea butter.
http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/s ... -oils.html

They are listed as the following: Palm, Lard, Cocoa Butter, Mango butter, Kokum butter, Beef Tallow, Sheep Tallow, Coffee Bean

I think someone should confirm this statement though.

 

[fiddletree]

*nods* The hardness is what made me ask.

Using avocado oil as well (which I also already have, yay!) is a great idea.

The soap sounds wonderful, do you have the recipe handy? I'm still learning how to tweak, etc. :wink:

This recipe could be tweaked a little bit, as i'd like it to be a little harder, but a longer cure will help. I made it as a shea-free alternative, and I like it but think I'll probably go back to my normal shea soap.

45% OO, 20% CO, 10% CB, 20% avocado oil, 5% castor