Need Opinions Please

[Kcryss]

Getting ready to start on my 4th batch of soap and would love to hear thoughts on the formula.

I changed it up a bit from my first 3 batches. I got a hold of some real lard and want to give it a try. I don't know the weight yet ... but it's 1 cup so thinking it should come in around 8 ounces. Will weigh before getting started though to be on the safe side.

 

[shunt2011]

I say give it a try and see how you like it. I personally don’t like any soap with over 30% Olive oil. I would up the coconut to 20% and lower the olive. But give it a shot and go from there.

 

[Kcryss]

Thank you shunt2011, I appreciate the feedback.

If I up the coconut, will it make the soap a bit more harsh? I have very dry skin and live in an arid climate so I've been afraid to let the cleansing number go too high.

By the way, I keep seeing recipes with salt and sugar being added to the lye solution. Do you know the reason for adding those ingredients?

Citric Acid has come up recently as well. Is this mostly for hard water areas and/or CP vs HP?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[lsg]

Your soap should have a lot of creamy lather, but not so much bubbly lather. Salt or sugar should be added to the water and stirred until dissolved before adding lye. Salt helps moisture evaporate from the bar quicker. Sugar adds to bubbly lather. I have never added citric acid to my soap, but have I used Tetrasodium EDTA. It prolongs shelf life and reduces soap scum

 

[Kcryss]

Your soap should have a lot of creamy lather, but not so much bubbly lather. Salt or sugar should be added to the water and stirred until dissolved before adding lye. Salt helps moisture evaporate from the bar quicker. Sugar adds to bubbly lather. I have never added citric acid to my soap, but have I used Tetrasodium EDTA. It prolongs shelf life and reduces soap scum

Thanks! Will start adding all 3 to my recipes!

 

[Kcryss]

ok, just finished this batch. I used the percentages listed in the recipe on the first post and used an apple/cinnamon fragrance oil blend. When I cleaned up everything, all I could smell was the horrible smell of the lard. Will this go away after curing? I'm really hoping so ... it's awful!

I made the lard myself. Maybe I did it wrong? I watch several youtube videos on how to do it ... and it seems pretty simple and straight forward. Chop the fat into smallish pieces, put them into a pan and cook on low heat for several hours until there is nothing left but oil and browned bits of whatever that stuff is that's left. Strain and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use. I planned on making soap with it, so put it in the fridge. I made it 4 days ago ... it can't spoil that fast can it?

 

[Kcryss]

Oh, and I did add the citric acid, salt, and sugar to the water and dissolved it completely before adding the lye. Added 2 tbs plain Greek yogurt after the cook.

 

[cmzaha]

I would up the CO to at least 18%, the lard to 25-30% if you have enough lard and lower the OO. I am one that absolutely hates OO in soap, but that is just me. I never go over 30% lard as I have DOS issues with lard.

Did you see the discussions when adding citric acid you add in extra NaOH at the rate of 0.624 x's your citric acid to create sodium citrate and not create a higher superfat while creating the sodium citrate? https://classicbells.com/soap/citricAcid.asp
Salt will help harden the bar a little bit but too much can also deter lather.

If you ever see justifying the cost, Sorbitol adds much more to lather than sugar if you like to use low CO. I am totally in love with Sorbitol despite the cost. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019FYWF18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Kcryss]

I would up the CO to at least 18%, the lard to 25-30% if you have enough lard and lower the OO. I am one that absolutely hates OO in soap, but that is just me. I never go over 30% lard as I have DOS issues with lard.

I used 25% lard and could increase CO next time. I use OO mostly because I don't know what would be better. lol
I live in an arid climate and my skin is very very dry. I've made 4 batches of soap now (woo hoo! ) and I did decrease the OO from 60% to 45 in this batch. I'm afraid to go too high on the CO because I am worried that it will be too harsh for dry skin. Maybe that's just newbie thinking ... please let me know if I'm way off base.

Did you see the discussions when adding citric acid you add in extra NaOH at the rate of 0.624 x's your citric acid to create sodium citrate and not create a higher superfat while creating the sodium citrate? https://classicbells.com/soap/citricAcid.asp
Salt will help harden the bar a little bit but too much can also deter lather.

Yes, I was following the recent discussion on Citric Acid and read through DeeAnna's page as well. So I did plug everything into the soapmakingfriend calculator to get the right amount of CA and even watched it increase my lye. Very cool calculator. Also love being able to save recipes there! Will be using both soapcalc and this one going forward.

If you ever see justifying the cost, Sorbitol adds much more to lather than sugar if you like to use low CO. I am totally in love with Sorbitol despite the cost. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019FYWF18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the first time I've heard of adding Sorbitol. Will definitely do some research! It looks pricey, but guessing the amount used is very small?