Coconut Milk or Goat Milk?
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dixiedragon
Well-Known Member
I haven't done a blind study. But IMO coconut milk is better, because it behaves better in soap and doesn't smell like baby spit up /sour milk to me. I can always pick up that sour milk note in dairy milk soaps.
Cellador
Well-Known Member
I feel like the goat's milk lends a thicker, creamier lather, but that's just my opinion. I honestly can't tell when I add coconut milk.
Dairy milk is more likely to darken soap, even if you try to keep the soap as cool as possible while it saponifies. It adds label appeal. It increases the superfat several percent due to the added sugars as well as some fat. For myself, I don't think using dairy milk in soap (I've tried goat and cow milk) does a lot as far as changing quality of the lather or creating a more pleasant skin feel.
IMO, coconut milk is basically a source of coconut oil and water with a dash of sugars. I'm with Cellador -- I don't think it adds any special qualities to the soap, except for increasing the coconut oil content of the recipe and slightly increasing the superfat. But it certainly doesn't darken the soap like dairy milk. It also adds label appeal.
I use dairy milk more than coconut milk, but I'm comfortable using either. I personally do not believe adding milk of any kind makes my soap any better or any much different than the same soap made without milk, however. They're not a "must have" in my soap -- I just enjoy the variety of using them (or beer) versus always using water.
IMO, coconut milk is basically a source of coconut oil and water with a dash of sugars. I'm with Cellador -- I don't think it adds any special qualities to the soap, except for increasing the coconut oil content of the recipe and slightly increasing the superfat. But it certainly doesn't darken the soap like dairy milk. It also adds label appeal.
I use dairy milk more than coconut milk, but I'm comfortable using either. I personally do not believe adding milk of any kind makes my soap any better or any much different than the same soap made without milk, however. They're not a "must have" in my soap -- I just enjoy the variety of using them (or beer) versus always using water.
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My family likes goats milk first and coconut milk second, however I can only get GM in a can so I use the more affordable coconut milk. I think both make wonderful creamy soaps. When I shop for soap I don't turn my nose up at either option.
OldHippie
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Goat's Milk.
Besides water, what's in coconut milk that's not in coconut oil?
Besides water, what's in coconut milk that's not in coconut oil?
Consider trying it again. I suspect that you missed something.
I get my fresh goat's milk at Walmart. Surely you have a Walmart?
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I'm with dixiedragon, I prefer Coconut Milk (no discoloration), though I use both as well as buttermilk. I don't think one adds anything more special than another due to the lye anyway other than label appeal. Though I do notice a difference in lather, probably the sugars.
I prefer coconut milk, it seems to add a bit to the creamy lather.
I took part in a blind test with milk vs no milk, I can't remember but I think it was cows milk. I couldn't tell a difference, neither could the other testers.
The few times I've used goats milk, I saw absolutley no difference in lather.
I don't believe any milk will improve or nourish skin. When I'm shopping for soaps at markets, I skip any animal milks due to the sour scent I can always detect.
I took part in a blind test with milk vs no milk, I can't remember but I think it was cows milk. I couldn't tell a difference, neither could the other testers.
The few times I've used goats milk, I saw absolutley no difference in lather.
I don't believe any milk will improve or nourish skin. When I'm shopping for soaps at markets, I skip any animal milks due to the sour scent I can always detect.
I haven't done enough conscious testing of milks and imitation milks in soap to form an educated or experiential conclusion as to what benefits I feel I derive from said ingredients.
But one benefit for me is using up something I have on hand rather than letting it go to waste. So at least in that respect, I do see some benefit to using any kind of milk in soap. The 'I'm not wasting this by tossing it down the drain, because at least I am still creating something useful with it' kind of benefit.
Case in point: I really enjoy drinking buttermilk, but sometimes don't drink it all before it's beyond drinking. My usual method of making buttermilk pancakes with it has been replaced by making soap with it and for me that seems beneficial. Neither of us can gain weight from buttermilk soap, but I still have all that Vermont Maple Syrup in the fridge not getting used up, either.
(Yeah, I put some in soap and it's not as beneficial - too much makes spongy soap.)
But like, DeeAnna, I do like the variety of using different ingredients now and again, if only to just mix it up for variety and to try something new sometimes.
But one benefit for me is using up something I have on hand rather than letting it go to waste. So at least in that respect, I do see some benefit to using any kind of milk in soap. The 'I'm not wasting this by tossing it down the drain, because at least I am still creating something useful with it' kind of benefit.
Case in point: I really enjoy drinking buttermilk, but sometimes don't drink it all before it's beyond drinking. My usual method of making buttermilk pancakes with it has been replaced by making soap with it and for me that seems beneficial. Neither of us can gain weight from buttermilk soap, but I still have all that Vermont Maple Syrup in the fridge not getting used up, either.
(Yeah, I put some in soap and it's not as beneficial - too much makes spongy soap.)But like, DeeAnna, I do like the variety of using different ingredients now and again, if only to just mix it up for variety and to try something new sometimes.
My Walmart doesn't carry fresh Goat's Milk. I've checked many many times. My Kroger does.
Lin19687
Well-Known Member
Walmart and Fresh goat's milk depends on the area. Like with most things. I can't get a TEXAS T-shirt here in MA but could when I was in TX...
I have done most all milks. Tired of trying to find a way to not have it stink or be totally frozen and not melting fast enough for me. Coconut milk is ok.
I too am one that could not notice a huge difference in the soap feel after cure so I just stopped killing myself over it.
I DO use Yogurt as it is easy and add it to the Oils, not the Lye. It brings a little better lather as most other milks except coconut. That I didn't notice anything other then label appeal.
I have done most all milks. Tired of trying to find a way to not have it stink or be totally frozen and not melting fast enough for me. Coconut milk is ok.
I too am one that could not notice a huge difference in the soap feel after cure so I just stopped killing myself over it.
I DO use Yogurt as it is easy and add it to the Oils, not the Lye. It brings a little better lather as most other milks except coconut. That I didn't notice anything other then label appeal.
penelopejane
Well-Known Member
Have you tried the split method for milks? So easy.
There have been quite a few blind tests that prove few people can tell the difference between milk soaps and those without. Good label appeal though.
Read the nutrition labels. True coconut milk (products without added sugar) still contains a significant % of sugars and other carbohydrates from the coconut itself. Compared to the fat weight, sugars can range from 10% to 50% by weight depending on brand. There is also a smidge of protein in some brands.
"...Consider trying it again. I suspect that you missed something...."
I've already made plenty of soap with dairy milk as well as water-only soap and beer soap. I seriously doubt I'm missing anything.
There's nothing wrong with using dairy milk, but it's not a panacea.
jcandleattic
Well-Known Member
I use milk in my soaps simply for label appeal. IMO if I didn't know which soaps had goats milk and which ones didn't, besides the type of lather produced, I probably would not be able to tell.
As far as which I use, since I have goat farmers in the family and can get gallons of free goat milk during milking season, I use goats milk when I make my milk soaps.
I have never tried coconut milk so can't speak to that.
As far as which I use, since I have goat farmers in the family and can get gallons of free goat milk during milking season, I use goats milk when I make my milk soaps.
I have never tried coconut milk so can't speak to that.
Thank you. I'm cleaning the coffee off my screen now...
Lin19687
Well-Known Member
LOL,, I am very upset about this. ALL of my Tx t-shirts now are old and have holes.
I bought them for like $10 each in TX.... actually I got it at JC Penny, not walmart but did find one at walmart.
I live in the Minuteman Re-enactment zone here in MA. WHY would I want to tshirt like that.
Anyone from TX wanna swap some shirts (new) ?
lol
I bought them for like $10 each in TX.... actually I got it at JC Penny, not walmart but did find one at walmart.
I live in the Minuteman Re-enactment zone here in MA. WHY would I want to tshirt like that.
Anyone from TX wanna swap some shirts (new) ?
lol
Ive had great luck with buttermilk but then I HP and I add it near the end of the cook.
Lin19687
Well-Known Member
lol
