Look ok for mild soap with no palm?

[jenneelk]

Posted in the other recipe area too.. not sure where this should go since I kinda see recipe questions in both. LMK if this is the wrong area.

I'm still new to this side of soap making (M&P for a few years now) and have been researching a lot the last month. Made 2 batches so far with one that seized (temps really do make a difference :shock and one that was way too soft (heavy cream) so I re batched and it seems rather nice after using 7 lbs of oils to fix it. LOL

I'd like to try a 3rd and don't want palm or animal fats. Mild for my children's skin is my goal and I plan to use goats milk frozen.. watched lots of videos on this one already.

Does this recipe look ok? too soft? Soapcal seemed good but you all here are the guru's.
I don't want to wait 6-9 months for a full castile soap but want as mild as possible.
OO 53%
CO 24%
Cocoa butter 18%
castor 5%

10% superfat

Thanks!

 

[CaraCara]

Looks ok to me and the cocoa butter will make it feel luxurious. The only thing that stands out is the high superfat but lots of people do it with no issues.

Have fun making it and do post photos.

 

[Hazel]

This is my personal opinion but I think your recipe looks great. The values fall in line with what I prefer for my own soap. I'm not saying everyone would like this soap since people have different preferences for their skin types. I have dry, sensitive and *cough* mature *cough* skin so I like a lower cleansing value and more conditioning.

The batch will get "hard". Hardness value is for initial hardness not whether the soap will or will not set up and get firm. Just let it dry out between use and make sure you don't leave it sitting in water. However, it may be harder to unmold if you use a silicone mold. It may not be but I wanted to mention it since I have this issue with some of my recipes. I add sodium lactate which increases initial hardness so the loaves are easy to get out the next day. If I forget to add the SL (which I've been know to do), then I have to let the soap sit in the mold for a few days. Of course, you wouldn't have this problem if you use a lined mold. You can also use a little salt (1 tsp ppo) to help harden the soap if you don't have SL. I tried the salt, made sure the batch gelled and I was pleased at how well it worked. Less salt might work, too. I meant to try 1/2 tsp ppo to see how it worked but then forgot about it until just now while writing this reply. I really should write ideas down when I think of them. My memory isn't the best.

This is just what I like and how I do it. It doesn't mean this is the only way. Everyone has their own method and someone might post a better tip.

 

[DeeAnna]

My rule of thumb is to keep the coconut oil at or below 20% for a normal bath bar. My other goals are a cleansing number in the very low teens (say 11-13) and a conditioning number in the high 50s or low 60s. I use a 5-6% superfat along with these numbers, and my soaps are not drying to the skin, even in winter.

Your recipe has a bit higher cleansing number than I would choose, but otherwise it looks like a mild bar that will have nice lather. I agree with Ruthie that your bar hardness should be fine, although IMO the 10% superfat may cause the bar to be somewhat softer and will cut your lather a bit, compared with a 5% SF version.

But, like Ruthie says, YMMV and all that. There will be others who feel otherwise, so take my opinion with a big grain of sal.... no, I mean a big bar of soap.

 

[jenneelk]

Thanks for all the input.. after reading through I made these changes.. does this look better? Also remember I am doing a split on water and goats milk.
OO 60%
CO 76 18%
castor 5%
cocoa butter 15%
aloe butter 2%

I have a TON of aloe butter to use up.. I don't see this talked about. It's coconut based so ok to use to replace 76?

 

[Hazel]

It's not a matter of what's "better". It matters what you like for your skin. This is why everyone recommends experimenting and tweaking recipes. If the aloe butter is just aloe powder that's been blended in coconut oil, then you're still at 20% with the CO. However by reducing the CO and increasing the OO, it does make the soap more conditioning (thus softer) and more mild. This is just my opinion but I'd lower the SF if you're increasing the OO percentage, lowering the CO and using goat milk. I'm basing this on a recipe I have which has 19% CO for which I use a 5% SF. Even with a lower SF, it seems to stay a little sticky in the beginning. There's nothing wrong with the stickiness. It eventually cures out. I normally use 7%-8% SF for recipes with a higher CO percentage. I tend to use 19% to 27% CO in recipes. I vary the percentage based on what type of soap I'm making. I use more coconut for milk product soaps.

But again, it's all personal preference. I noticed the stickiness in the soap but my sisters didn't notice it. I just paid more attention when I first made the soap since it was a new recipe and I wasn't sure if I'd like it.

You might want to consider making both recipes for comparison. Also, the aloe butter might be nice in lip balms or whipped butters.

eta: I don't know why you couldn't replace some regular CO with the aloe butter if it is coconut oil. You might even consider making a third batch and increasing the butter amount since 2% isn't very much.

 

[jenneelk]

Thanks Hazel.. I forgot to mention that I was going to lower the SF to 5%. woops! I appreciate all the help and will keep this recipe as is with the lower amounts. Hoping to test it out in a few days since I just tried a goats milk this am (which I love already). Lovely to work with.

 

[Hazel]

You're welcome! I hope I was helpful. Please post back and let me know how it turns out. I've never used aloe butter so I'm interested in hearing more about it. :grin:

 

[jenneelk]

Ok will do!

 

[jenneelk]

Hazel I made this last night.. looks great and I did a little CPOP since I used a silicone mold. Was still warm this am so good sign I got gel throughout which is good for a recipe like this with so much OO right?
I didn't want FO or EO scents but the smell of OO is not my favorite so I added Apple Pie spice and it's so pretty with flecks throughout. Can't wait to cut it but after just 12 hours it still sticky on the sides of the mold. wait, wait, wait.

 

[DeeAnna]

Sounds like your soap is going to turn out very nice, Jenneelk! Yes, I agree, it's really hard to wait....... ;-)

 

[jenneelk]

Thanks DeeAnna - With the changes you suggested I went to 15% CO and a few other changes to get to 13 on cleansing and keeping the other numbers 'in check' so to speak.
I did 55% OO
15% CO
7% castor
18% cocoa butter
5% CO 92 because I am trying my aloe butter which is coconut oil they say is 'fractioned' yet isn't liquid and has a 91 melting point. Think this was a good one to replace it with since the 'aloe butter' had 0 for most values.

 

[jenneelk]

Here it is at 18 hours. Pretty firm already!
My only issue is I can't smell the spice.. Only smells dough scent. And those potmarks on top from the Saran Wrap.

 

[Hazel]

Sounds great! I prefer to gel soap with a high percentage of OO because it helps to get it out of the mold. But that's just my preference.

That's one thing soaping will teach you - patience.