CookbookChef
Well-Known Member
I was reading a Listing on Ebay for Dr. Bronner's Soap. I was reading the ingredients along with the listing itself that Dr. Bronner's uses something called Olive Fatty Acid, says that they Superfat their soap with this. They go on to say that this Olive Fatty Acid ensures that there is no free alkali, and lowers the ph, making a milder, smoother lather. The listing also stated that rosemary extract is used to protect freshness, (stating that rosemary is effective at 0.005%s s so it contributes absolutely no scent). Oh, and also the listing stated that plant-derived antioxidants are also used as well (as another way of protecting freshness).
Here is the Ingredient list: Ingredients: Water, Saponified Coconut-Hemp-Olive Oils (with retained Glycerin), Olive Fatty Acids, Lavandin & Lavender Oils, Rosemary Extract.
I am guessing that the plant-derived antioxidants that are being used would have to be the Lavandin and Lavender Oils (Just My Guess)
I understand all of this pretty well, except for the part about the part where they Superfat using the Olive Fatty Acid. I have high hopes that somebody can explain this more to me as I have been working hard at making Lots of Liquid Soap as of late, but to date, have only used Borax one time on a trouble maker batch, and never had to use it on any other batches. That being said, I know many who also use or instead of, use Citric Acid and or Boric Acid. I am new, so please be gentle, I only have 22 Batches of LS Under My belt, which I know to many, is a drop in the hat. Being said, I am trying very diligently to make a Superior Product, and in my own humble opinion, went on believing that less is better. Meaning, if I can get away with NOT using Borax, Boric, or Citric Acid, all the better for a more Natural Liquid Soap! But I have to say, the one time I used the Borax, I was amazed at how much thicker it had made my LS Become. It was nice, so I had to keep adding MORE Water to dilute it. Saying that, I had a thicker product, but felt a less soapy product as well to accommodate all that extra water. Just my thoughts, I can not really conclude much on one batch of LS Using the Borax just the one time. Oh, I forgot, yes, I did use Citric Acid in the start of things, way back when I was just learning my first few batches. Ok, anyway, I saw that Olive Fatty Acid on Doc. Bronner's LS, and thought to myself is this something that I should be using? I mean, it stated in the listing it helps with the PH...but so does Borax, it also said that it helps with a milder, smoother Lather. It all sounds good, but I am bringing this up because to me, this is a NEW topic. I couldnt tell you what Olive Fatty Acid is, or where I would buy it even if I wanted to use it in my LS. And then their is the thought that Less is Better. Maybe I should leave well enough alone and go about trying my best to NOT use any of the acids at all. Yes, I know Citric Acid is Natural, and it seems as if Olive Fatty Acid would be too, but saying that, I am such a new LS maker, I thought I better see about gaining some wisdom from the Forum Here. I know this was kind of a long post, I wanted to give a brief run down of my experience and my own personal thoughts on soaping, so that you could possibly understand me and my question a bit more, I hope
Here is the Ingredient list: Ingredients: Water, Saponified Coconut-Hemp-Olive Oils (with retained Glycerin), Olive Fatty Acids, Lavandin & Lavender Oils, Rosemary Extract.
I am guessing that the plant-derived antioxidants that are being used would have to be the Lavandin and Lavender Oils (Just My Guess)
I understand all of this pretty well, except for the part about the part where they Superfat using the Olive Fatty Acid. I have high hopes that somebody can explain this more to me as I have been working hard at making Lots of Liquid Soap as of late, but to date, have only used Borax one time on a trouble maker batch, and never had to use it on any other batches. That being said, I know many who also use or instead of, use Citric Acid and or Boric Acid. I am new, so please be gentle, I only have 22 Batches of LS Under My belt, which I know to many, is a drop in the hat. Being said, I am trying very diligently to make a Superior Product, and in my own humble opinion, went on believing that less is better. Meaning, if I can get away with NOT using Borax, Boric, or Citric Acid, all the better for a more Natural Liquid Soap! But I have to say, the one time I used the Borax, I was amazed at how much thicker it had made my LS Become. It was nice, so I had to keep adding MORE Water to dilute it. Saying that, I had a thicker product, but felt a less soapy product as well to accommodate all that extra water. Just my thoughts, I can not really conclude much on one batch of LS Using the Borax just the one time. Oh, I forgot, yes, I did use Citric Acid in the start of things, way back when I was just learning my first few batches. Ok, anyway, I saw that Olive Fatty Acid on Doc. Bronner's LS, and thought to myself is this something that I should be using? I mean, it stated in the listing it helps with the PH...but so does Borax, it also said that it helps with a milder, smoother Lather. It all sounds good, but I am bringing this up because to me, this is a NEW topic. I couldnt tell you what Olive Fatty Acid is, or where I would buy it even if I wanted to use it in my LS. And then their is the thought that Less is Better. Maybe I should leave well enough alone and go about trying my best to NOT use any of the acids at all. Yes, I know Citric Acid is Natural, and it seems as if Olive Fatty Acid would be too, but saying that, I am such a new LS maker, I thought I better see about gaining some wisdom from the Forum Here. I know this was kind of a long post, I wanted to give a brief run down of my experience and my own personal thoughts on soaping, so that you could possibly understand me and my question a bit more, I hope