Exotic oils

[jofa]

So, I would like to know if anyone here has experience with exotic oils, like passion fruit seed, guava seed, etc. in soapmaking.

Yesterday, I made a batch of shower gel with 90% Brazil nut and it is absolutely amazing and smells divine. So now I wanna know more.

I understand those oils may be harder to find in the US (or are super expensive), but all help would be appreciated, since they're cheap and easy to source where I live.

Thank you!

 

[dixiedragon]

Out of curiosity, where are you located?

You may be blazing the trail, here. I've eaten brazil nuts but I've never seen the oil for sale. It actually makes since - I know when eating them the nut seemed pretty oily!

 

[cmzaha]

I love Brazil Nut Oil in lip balm, and watermelon seed oil is very nice in balms and lotions. As for soap for us in the US it is a waste of money. If these types of oils are cheap for you I would say go for it. Maybe make some 1 oil test soap with these oils so you truly can determine the different properties, such as feel, lather and whether dos happens more readily etc. As for any remaining properties of the oil itself surviving the lye monster I have my doubts. But oils do change the way a soap will act, for instance, I hate high olive oil because it always fees sticky to me.

 

[jofa]

Out of curiosity, where are you located?

You may be blazing the trail, here. I've eaten brazil nuts but I've never seen the oil for sale. It actually makes since - I know when eating them the nut seemed pretty oily!

Hey, Dixiedragon, I live in Brazil.

Brazil nut oil smells slightly nutty OOB, but after saponification it changes into a sweet and strong, lovely smell. You can find this oil in the US, I've seen it somewhere. It's well worth a try.

But today someone here told they're selling guava seed oil, and since I looove the smell of guava, I'm kinda obsessed!

 

[toxikon]

You'll find that many of us don't use exotic oils due to price and availability, so we'd love to hear your results.

One thing that can help you develop good recipes is considering the properties of the oils you're using. You can probably google the fatty acid profiles of the exotic oils to see how to formulate a nice recipe with them.

This is a handy cheat sheet of oils and their properties that may guide you.

http://www.lovinsoap.com/oils-chart/

 

[jofa]

I love Brazil Nut Oil in lip balm, and watermelon seed oil is very nice in balms and lotions. As for soap for us in the US it is a waste of money. If these types of oils are cheap for you I would say go for it. Maybe make some 1 oil test soap with these oils so you truly can determine the different properties, such as feel, lather and whether dos happens more readily etc. As for any remaining properties of the oil itself surviving the lye monster I have my doubts. But oils do change the way a soap will act, for instance, I hate high olive oil because it always fees sticky to me.

cmzaha, it must be amazing in lip balms, I'm gonna try it. Thank you!
And about the properties of the oils, I agree. I think lye kills them all.
But, as a new soapmaker, I'm starting to notice some oils smell super bad after saponification (olive oil, IMHO) and others, like Brazil nut, smell divine.

 

[jofa]

You'll find that many of us don't use exotic oils due to price and availability, so we'd love to hear your results.

One thing that can help you develop good recipes is considering the properties of the oils you're using. You can probably google the fatty acid profiles of the exotic oils to see how to formulate a nice recipe with them.

This is a handy cheat sheet of oils and their properties that may guide you.

http://www.lovinsoap.com/oils-chart/

Toxikon, I'll sure post my results.
And the same is true for us. The US soapmakers have so much that we can't even dream to buy down here. The thing is to adapt and create great soaps with what's on hand!

 

[SaltedFig]

It has a high linoleic percentage, but it looks really nice ... lucky you for living in Brazil for this one!

We have macadamia, and avocado oil is pretty cheap here too (you might be able to get Avocado where you are?) ... Avocado is very nice mixed with other oils.

I wonder how Brazil nut will hold up - I hope you can let us know how it goes over time too

Yesterday, I made a batch of shower gel with 90% Brazil nut and it is absolutely amazing and smells divine.

 

[jofa]

Hey Saltedfig

We have avocado and macadamia here too, and at very low prices. Actually, it's extemely easy to source top quality vegetable and essential oils here. But don't get me started on micas and fragrances! Ugh! It' almost non existent!!

The shower gel is almost clump free and as soon it's picture perfect I'll post it here. And no doubt its evolution over time!

 

[cmzaha]

Toxikon, I'll sure post my results.
And the same is true for us. The US soapmakers have so much that we can't even dream to buy down here. The thing is to adapt and create great soaps with what's on hand!

Although we can get most of the exotic oils and butters we have to pay dearly for them, but I guess it it is trade off, so many of you non US have to pay dearly for fragrances, colorants etc. I absolutely love Brazil Nut Oil.

 

[SaltedFig]

Hopefully you will be able to import some of the mica's - they don't weigh too much, so fingers crossed you can get what you would like

Looking forward to seeing the pictures!

Hey Saltedfig

We have avocado and macadamia here too, and at very low prices. Actually, it's extemely easy to source top quality vegetable and essential oils here. But don't get me started on micas and fragrances! Ugh! It' almost non existent!!

The shower gel is almost clump free and as soon it's picture perfect I'll post it here. And no doubt its evolution over time!

 

[Traumabrew]

Lye does alter an oil however, there are properties of an oil that is retained even through saponification. Lye reacts with the fatty acids in the oil but there are non FA components to the oil which are not affected. A good example is Neem oil. Also, you can SF with these oils and the properties will not be affected.