First time with kelp

[Hendejm]

Today I made my first batch of soap using kelp harvested by my sister near her home in Maine. Since the fragrance oil indicated that there would be a color shift - I decided to take advantage of it and add a layer of charcoal ( enough for gray - not black).

I used 1 tsp of kelp per pound of soap and it looks to be pretty good without overdoing it. I’m really happy with the look. The true test will be to see how it feels when I take it out for a shower test in about 6-8 weeks ( I’ve got PLENTY of other soaps to use in the meantime!)

Edit - I think there may be glycerin rivers but too sure given to color scheme.

 

[Misschief]

View attachment 34666 Today I made my first batch of soap using kelp harvested by my sister near her home in Maine. Since the fragrance oil indicated that there would be a color shift - I decided to take advantage of it and add a layer of charcoal ( enough for gray - not black).

I used 1 tsp of kelp per pound of soap and it looks to be pretty good without overdoing it. I’m really happy with the look. The true test will be to see how it feels when I take it out for a shower test in about 6-8 weeks ( I’ve got PLENTY of other soaps to use in the meantime!)

Edit - I think there may be glycerin rivers but too sure given to color scheme.

It does look like you have glycerin rivers in the dark part but it adds to the look of the soap. Very nice!

 

[SunRiseArts]

I think it looks beautiful. I love the rivers myself.

 

[Hendejm]

It’s grown on me and now I really like it. And the scent is really nice...Peace and Love - from Nurture Soap

 

[melinda48]

View attachment 34666 Today I made my first batch of soap using kelp harvested by my sister near her home in Maine. Since the fragrance oil indicated that there would be a color shift - I decided to take advantage of it and add a layer of charcoal ( enough for gray - not black).

I used 1 tsp of kelp per pound of soap and it looks to be pretty good without overdoing it. I’m really happy with the look. The true test will be to see how it feels when I take it out for a shower test in about 6-8 weeks ( I’ve got PLENTY of other soaps to use in the meantime!)

Edit - I think there may be glycerin rivers but too sure given to color scheme.

Love the look. The glycerin rivers do not detract in the least and, remember, most people will not even know what glycerin rivers are.

 

[penelopejane]

Lovely.
Unfortunately the kelp won't stay green but the brown is sort of earthy anyway.

 

[Hendejm]

Lovely.
Unfortunately the kelp won't stay green but the brown is sort of earthy anyway.

Thank you. The kelp is brown.....so much so, that I thought it a bag of dirt when my sister gave it to me. Picture color may be off since it is garage lighting.

 

[Sunshineonmyshoulder]

I love it! Very beautiful contrasting color scheme you chose.

 

[Dawni]

Love it!

 

[Steve85569]

Looking good!

 

[penelopejane]

Thank you. The kelp is brown.....so much so, that I thought it a bag of dirt when my sister gave it to me. Picture color may be off since it is garage lighting.

Oh it looks green on my screen.
I make my own powdered seaweed and it starts out a beautiful green in CP soap and then turns a brown.

 

[Hendejm]

Oh it looks green on my screen.
I make my own powdered seaweed and it starts out a beautiful green in CP soap and then turns a brown.

Here is the kelp in the bag....

Looks like dirt, right? Or maybe coffee grounds now that I think about it! It sure smells like the ocean though!

 

[penelopejane]

I get a really soft textured mid green coloured seaweed from our beach that is still growing. I just prune it rather than pulling it out. I rinse it in clean sea salt water so it doesn't smell or leach the colour and dehydrate it and grind it in my food processor (not a grinder-so it is not very fine).
This is the powder (it is a really dark green):

This is a tester soap in a cavity mold on day one:

This is the cured soap:

 

[Hendejm]

The kelp in Downeast Maine is really dark brown/reddish. I think our finished soaps looks similar in color.

 

[Dean]

Didn't know men could make such nice looking soap. Is the kelp for looks or does it add a beneficial quality?

 

[penelopejane]

The kelp in Downeast Maine is really dark brown/reddish. I think our finished soaps looks similar in color.

We have at least 10 different varieties in a 6 m2 area off the rocks. Red to green, soft to coarse.

Yes the colour of seaweed in the final soaps is very similar. Yours is finer.

Dean:
Seaweed is a known anti-inflamatory - as a food but that may do something for the skin. Who knows for sure? It doesn't hurt my skin that I know.

Spirulina a "natural" algae caused painful, insane itching all over my body when I made a soap with it so I guess using natural products is trial and error for every individual.

 

[Hendejm]

Seaweed is a known anti-inflamatory - as a food but that may do something for the skin. Who knows for sure? It doesn't hurt my skin that I know.

That’s what I understand also. Being a wash off product I’m not sure that you get many of the benefits but the perception of being helpful to the skin is ok in my book!

 

[penelopejane]

That’s what I understand also. Being a wash off product I’m not sure that you get many of the benefits but the perception of being helpful to the skin is ok in my book!

Yes the "wash off product" debate is ongoing.
I only know I can make myself sick just using soap with additives that I react to - breathing difficulties, itching, spots etc - so for me even though soap isn't on my skin long it is an important factor.

No matter what, "anti-inflamatory properties" have to be better than something that is a known toxin.

 

[Hendejm]

No matter what, "anti-inflamatory properties" have to be better than something that is a known toxin.

Well said! And I totally agree!

 

[Callie]

I love it!