My soap burns

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

2 months to age. And I think you are right. It may be the essential oils

It may be - but it also may not be. What mix are you using? Any other additives?

 

[JayJay]

I have heard MANY girls and women over the years say that soap burns their privates sometimes. The impression that I got was that the same bar of soap can sometimes burn and sometimes not burn. I always assumed it had to do with the condition (acute irritation) of the skin at the time at it is being used, how much is being used, how it is applied (scrubbing vs wiping). Sometimes other issues like infections, or friction can make a person more likely to burn when anything acidic or alkaline is applied.

I think it would be a good idea to keep that in mind when you are checking out some of the other factors that people are mentioning (like EO, pH, and lye). I have heard medical professionals say that the only bar soap (store bought) that works for sensitive female parts is dove (which isn't real soap). So if you double check everything and you are sure that it's safe, then maybe there is nothing wrong with your soap. Maybe their region is too sensitive for soap.

 

[galaxyMLP]

I don't use any soap down there, I never have. Its just too irritating and causes problems for me. I would bet that they are just sensitive overall as it sounds like it is only a few people and you are testing it. I have very sensitive skin and even 10% coconut oil recipes irritate me. I used to make a 30% CO recipe. It literally started making my skin peel on my hands when I was felting it. Some people have super tough skin others, not!

 

[topofmurrayhill]

JayJay makes sense about the VaJayJay.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

 

[Susie]

:clap::clap:

I was waiting for it.

 

[MorpheusPA]

Even gentlemen can experience a slight burning sensation Down There depending on many factors. Fortunately, this has never been a problem for me. Certainly people with very sensitive skin are more likely to have an issue.

Both ladies and gentlemen with hemorrhoid problems may experience some burning when using a high-pH soap to wash their bums during a flare up. That was a problem my father had.

 

[gemsupthepoley]

Looking back, I used up scraps of my first 2 soaps and made a HP soap with West Indies Bay and Lime and I added powdered cinnamon. It did cause a little bit burny burny feeling on ..............well.............

I don't use it there now!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think they even advise using plain soap on those bits,

 

[Susie]

Even gentlemen can experience a slight burning sensation Down There depending on many factors. Fortunately, this has never been a problem for me. Certainly people with very sensitive skin are more likely to have an issue.

Both ladies and gentlemen with hemorrhoid problems may experience some burning when using a high-pH soap to wash their bums during a flare up. That was a problem my father had.

Very common problem, that. Indeed, even washes intended for that very use can be too harsh on hemorrhoids.

 

[cmzaha]

lionprincess00, you know I am a nurse, right? So, when I tell you that most women would be wise to use nothing but water on mucous membranes due to pH disruption, I am not just saying that to be a rebel, right? I am certain that I am going to get a chorus of nay-sayers here, but truly gals, that is like a self cleaning oven. Rinsing is OK, but leave everything else not prescribed by a doctor out.

(Mods-if you think this is over the line, please just delete it. I debated long and hard on the best wording, so if I did not succeed, just get rid of it.)

LOL, I think you put it well. I do also tend to use just water or as mentioned above our lower ph m&p base. What I did not mention before was I only use the m&p a couple time per week on mucus membrane and my face. Outside of my eczema problems, my skin for, my age, is in very good condition

 

[lenarenee]

When I use the EO's that Dorymae mentioned above I put a warning on my label, that they can cause burning/ tingling in sensitive areas. I am one that cannot use handmade soap other than m&p on certain areas including my face. My face actually gets no soap 90% of the time. It does not matter if the soap is 1 week old, 1 yr old fragranced, non fragranced, low or high cleansing number, high or low superfat. In other words, nether regions get washed with m&p. I really think it is the ph, as far as my face goes I have just never used soap on it. It gets either Cetaphil or water. I have had a few people ask if soap can bother certain areas and I tell them yep. Soap is not for everyone as much as many soapmakers like to think it is. If it is just a couple of people I would guess they are sensitive, it is it a lot of customers I would rethink my recipe/recipes and not sell until it is figured out.

Agreed! Some people just cannot use cp soap no matter whether its scented or not.

 

[lionprincess00]

lionprincess00, you know I am a nurse, right? So, when I tell you that most women would be wise to use nothing but water on mucous membranes due to pH disruption, I am not just saying that to be a rebel, right? I am certain that I am going to get a chorus of nay-sayers here, but truly gals, that is like a self cleaning oven. Rinsing is OK, but leave everything else not prescribed by a doctor out.

(Mods-if you think this is over the line, please just delete it. I debated long and hard on the best wording, so if I did not succeed, just get rid of it.)

I've had more kids than most, and I totally understand the Ph balance of the nether regions is disrupted by many things, pregnancy for example. Many different things disrupt the Ph balance, so using an alkaline substance most certainly would too.
The Ph balance disruption causes discomfort, burning, ittitation, can create infections (yeast for ex).

So you are completely correct in that over cleaning with "things" most certainly disrupt the perfect balance we were born with.

I still use soap, MY soap only, and use it sparingly. We are a nation (at least here in the US) of showers every day, twice a day sometimes, hair wash every day, super soap, antibacterial eberything.
This isn't good for our skin, our balance of Ph "there", nor our hair (with regards to washing). I am not "a hippy child", but I see the need to over use of cleaning everything, a fallacy here. It is not necessary and can cause more problems in the long run.

 

[JayJay]

JayJay makes sense about the VaJayJay.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

I was waiting for it.

... Wow.... My name is Jayjay. roblem::wtf: Time for a name change.

I'm glad you made the joke this early in my soap making life. You just prevented me from embarrassment in the future. I can picture it 10 years from now. I am standing in front of my new exclusive, high brow bath and body store, cutting the ribbon under a sign reading "Exclusively JayJay's" :shock:

Edit: Seriously though, if anyone wants to message me on how to change my name, that would be great.

 

[JayJay]

lionprincess00, you know I am a nurse, right? So, when I tell you that most women would be wise to use nothing but water on mucous membranes due to pH disruption, I am not just saying that to be a rebel, right? I am certain that I am going to get a chorus of nay-sayers here, but truly gals, that is like a self cleaning oven. Rinsing is OK, but leave everything else not prescribed by a doctor out.

(Mods-if you think this is over the line, please just delete it. I debated long and hard on the best wording, so if I did not succeed, just get rid of it.)

Sorry, I didn't see this post before I posted my comment earlier. Sorry for restating (not as well) this idea. I wasn't trying to plagiarize, i promise.

 

[JBot]

I realize it's not like this for everybody, but using my own soap has dramatically improved things for my "lady bits." I used to have chronic problems with irritation, infections, etc. I have had ZERO issues since I switched. Also no more UTIs, which I used to get constantly. (I only clean the "outside," since it's my understanding that it's not a good idea to use ANYTHING on the "inside" unless it's a prescription.)

I use it on my face, too, and my skin has never looked better. Any my hair. I should note that even though soap is a wash-off product, and its primary purpose is to clean rather than to moisturize, I really think that superfatting my HP with meadowfoam oil makes a difference. (Maybe because it remains unsaponified? I do agree that it would probably be a waste of an expensive oil otherwise.) Even when the SF oil is the only difference between two batches, the one with meadowfoam oil has a richer, silkier lather, and my skin feels terrific. My rosacea has almost disappeared since I started using nothing but the meadowfoam-SF soap on my face.

Maybe it has something to do with my particular body chemistry? Maybe my natural pH is too low, and using my own soap helps to correct it? Who knows. All I care about is that it WORKS!

 

[cmzaha]

I realize it's not like this for everybody, but using my own soap has dramatically improved things for my "lady bits." I used to have chronic problems with irritation, infections, etc. I have had ZERO issues since I switched. Also no more UTIs, which I used to get constantly. (I only clean the "outside," since it's my understanding that it's not a good idea to use ANYTHING on the "inside" unless it's a prescription.)

I use it on my face, too, and my skin has never looked better. Any my hair. I should note that even though soap is a wash-off product, and its primary purpose is to clean rather than to moisturize, I really think that superfatting my HP with meadowfoam oil makes a difference. (Maybe because it remains unsaponified? I do agree that it would probably be a waste of an expensive oil otherwise.) Even when the SF oil is the only difference between two batches, the one with meadowfoam oil has a richer, silkier lather, and my skin feels terrific. My rosacea has almost disappeared since I started using nothing but the meadowfoam-SF soap on my face.

Maybe it has something to do with my particular body chemistry? Maybe my natural pH is too low, and using my own soap helps to correct it? Who knows. All I care about is that it WORKS!

You could spritz the meadowfoam on after your bath or shower then you are not rinsing if off down the drain:razz:

 

[MorpheusPA]

I realize it's not like this for everybody, but using my own soap has dramatically improved things for my "lady bits." I used to have chronic problems with irritation, infections, etc.

Having no lady bits, I can't speak to it. But thanks for sharing and all.

I notice that my skin--normally very acidic to the point that most colognes warp on me and sour--has changed. Softer, smoother, clearer, and at least a little pH shifted.

I can now wear earthy scented colognes and even Navy Lime, which before smelled a bit like Navy Decaying Lime. Any floral is still out, but guys aren't big on florals anyway. I like a wood scent.

 

[JBot]

Having no lady bits, I can't speak to it. But thanks for sharing and all.

Nice, right? LOL! I hesitated before posting that, thinking it might be TMI, but I figured since we're already talking about it and nobody is being unnecessarily graphic or crude, might as well go ahead and over-share!

 

[jules92207]

It may be - but it also may not be. What mix are you using? Any other additives?

I just want to add here coconut oil in higher percentages gives me the same burning sensation as well. So while it may be the eo's I'm gonna agree with the gent that there could be other factors at play too. It would be good to get a full picture of your recipe.

 

[Jstar]

Im thinking EO's as well and sensitivity, but with the lack of the recipe there's really no way to tell...did the OP intend to respond to any of those questions?

 

[Susie]

Sorry, I didn't see this post before I posted my comment earlier. Sorry for restating (not as well) this idea. I wasn't trying to plagiarize, i promise.

Don't worry about it. I think when folks read the same info from more than one source, it reinforces the idea/info.