Coconut milk soap

[SoapSap]

Does anyone use canned coconut milk in cold process soap? Does it have enough fat to add any emollient quality. What are your reasons for using it?

 

[Sinful7]

I use canned coconut milk, I love the creaminess of the final bar. Also it tends to be much whiter than goats milk/buttermilk. And its easier to get than goats milk. (Plus I really do prefer the feel of the coconut milk soap over the gm soap)

 

[loopyloop]

Actually, my goat milk soap is whiter than coconut. Honest.

 

[KatieShephard]

I used the store brand coconut milk in the can. My bars are super white and extremely creamy and conditioning. The only suggestion I have is that when you open up the can, empty all the contents out into a measuring cup/pyrex (or another easy container) and stick blend it all. The top part is a heavier fatty, thick butter consistency...and the bottom part of the can is the liquidy part...better to blend them really well together. I take whatever I don't use and freeze it in my little pumpkin molds (because I don't have ice cube trays) and then take them out and use as needed. I've been substituting half of my liquid for coconut milk and adding at trace and it's worked great.

 

[Chefmom]

What kind of canned coconut milk does everyone use? I was reading labels and wondering which one to use. My market carries in a can, and also in that cardboard packaging that is shelf stable as well as refrigerated coconut milk.

I was clueless even which one to buy.

 

[Obsidian]

I love coconut milk in soap, especially my salt bars. I adds a rich creaminess to the lather that is fantastic. It never discolors the soap or add a weird scent like animal milk does for me.
I use the stuff in the can, can't remember what brand but it has the least amount of additives. It will raise your SF level some though. When I replace half my water with the coco milk, it adds roughly 5% SF.

 

[Consuela]

I use the thick, regular full-fat coconut milk. Canned.

I buy it organic depending on if they have it, and when they do, I stock up. "Thai Kitchen" has a great thick milk and I bought their organic for the same price as regular in the States when I was there.

I don't see why you couldn't use the milk in the shelf-stable tetrapacks, but it is a lot thinner.. I like the thicker coconut, because it even tastes richer. Creamier.

And I concur with other posters- mix it all up first before you pour it in, because sometimes its thicker on top.

I also add it at trace, and only stir with my spatula. I made the mistake when I first started making soap of using the stick blender - my soap seized and started to set before could even get it out of the pot and into the molds..!

So, I work quickly once I get that milk in. I stir everything else in first. E/O's, additives etc...then the coconut milk. Then straight into the mold it goes!

Also, I stopped covering and insulating that particular recipe, because the soap continues to heat up enough on its own without the help of blankets, and has in some cases, cracked, and looked like it was crawling out of the mold! Which defeated the purpose of the nice designs I did on top.

So, I leave it uncovered, for a few hours, then cover it before I go to bed.

Edit to add: I do believe that it makes a nice conditioning bar of soap, I haven't noticed any negative effects on lather, and it does produce a nice creamy bar.

 

[Ellacho]

Yes, I have. I love the coconut milk soap! I often use coconut milk as my liquid in soap. It makes my soap super creamy, conditioning and more than anything, it gives extra bubbly lather! I think it's the extra sugar content of the milk(or coconut itself!).

I buy my coconut milk at a Chinese market and I usually buy this brand:

Chaokah Chaokoh Coconut Milk, 13.5 oz, about $1.29 to $1.99.

 

[cgawlik]

Love coconut milk, recently used as part of the water for a liquid baby soap, (didn't care if it came out clear or not) it made it feel like "softsoap" only thinner. Love the creaminess it adds..
In my standard cp recipe I usually have to put it straight in the freezer to prevent over heating..

 

[LunaSkye]

I use canned coconut milk, I love the creaminess of the final bar. Also it tends to be much whiter than goats milk/buttermilk. And its easier to get than goats milk. (Plus I really do prefer the feel of the coconut milk soap over the gm soap)

I fell in love with the feel a while ago. However, that coconut smell will kill me and I have bad luck with EOs in soap.

@consuela: if only you could have told me that coconut milk should be stirred, not blended...


The pic is crappy, but it proves you right. Thanks for the tip.

 

[shunt2011]

I too use canned or the shelf stable Coconut Milk. I add it to my oils before my lye/water mixture. I like coconut milk but my very favorite is Buttermilk.

 

[Consuela]

I like coconut milk but my very favorite is Buttermilk.

Do you need to add anything else when using buttermilk? One of the first soaping books I read said that you needed to use a preservative? Powdered Benzoin I believe it was....?

How long is the shelf life, do you find any rancidity issues?

 

[shunt2011]

Do you need to add anything else when using buttermilk? One of the first soaping books I read said that you needed to use a preservative? Powdered Benzoin I believe it was....?

How long is the shelf life, do you find any rancidity issues?

Nope, don't have to add anything to it. I've got soap 3-4 years old made with buttermilk and have never had it go rancid.

 

[Sinful7]

I fell in love with the feel a while ago. However, that coconut smell will kill me and I have bad luck with EOs in soap.

Now see the smell of goat/cows milk kills me. It seems to have an ammonia smell at first, before mellowing down. I've not noticed that smell with coconut milk.

 

[Seawolfe]

Now see the smell of goat/cows milk kills me. It seems to have an ammonia smell at first, before mellowing down. I've not noticed that smell with coconut milk.

I think that's one reason I prefer coconut milk to animal milk, that ammonia smell that you get when proteins react with the lye really squicks me out.

 

[Consuela]

@consuela: if only you could have told me that coconut milk should be stirred, not blended...

The pic is crappy, but it proves you right. Thanks for the tip.

AH! Well I hope it serves you well in the future - when in doubt now, I stir everything!

And for what its worth - I like the look of your soap

 

[KatieShephard]

I fell in love with the feel a while ago. However, that coconut smell will kill me and I have bad luck with EOs in soap.

@consuela: if only you could have told me that coconut milk should be stirred, not blended...
View attachment 9911

The pic is crappy, but it proves you right. Thanks for the tip.

I stick blended mine and it wasn't a problem :?:

 

[Consuela]

I stick blended mine and it wasn't a problem :?:

For me I found it speeded up trace; there was also 4 TBS of honey in my recipe though too - all that sugary goodness....now I stir whenever I use coconut milk to be safe. lol.

 

[Sinful7]

I stick blend with no issues.

 

[LunaSkye]

I stick blended mine and it wasn't a problem :?:

I stickblended and noticed that the batter looked thick. It was also not the full liquid amount of liquid I used, but I figured that the batter would behave as if I used tea for the liquid. I also realized that I forgot the coffee grounds so I took a few steps to retrieve it. I added the coffee to the remaining liquid and went to add the liquid to the batter. It was then I realized that my crockpot became a mold. I added the liquid to the semi-solid batter (can't remember if I tried to heat it), but I barely managed to incorporate the remaining liquid. Hence, my results were a conglomerate coffee soap instead of just a regular dark bar.

As of now, I know to mix the coconut milk with a spoon before and after adding whatever is needed. I also know not to underestimate another liquid again.