New and looking for ideas for sensitive skin

[mcdonaldjs]

Hi all,

My daughters and I have very sensitive skin and everything we buy in stores irritates our skin. So... we have decided to start making our own soap. I began making our own laundry soap a month ago and we already see a big difference. Now we're on the quest to learn how to make our own bath soap. I decided to start as simple as possible and ordered some organic mp and plan on using that with essential oils and maybe some honey, oats or coconut oil. I tried my first batch yesterday and as it solidified the coconut oil rose to the top of the bar.

So, first of all, does anyone have any advice to working with coconut oil. Second, I'd love any advice anyone wants to share about making soap for very sensitive skin.

I'm so glad I found this forum. I'm having a great time reading posts!

Thanks in advance:-D

 

[Hazel]

Hello and welcome! :grin:

I'm not sure I understand what was happening with your MP soap. One - how do you know it was coconut oil rising to the top of the bar? Two - a good quality MP base shouldn't have any separation. Where did you buy the base?

However, if you know because you added coconut oil; then I'd say you added too much. It's hard incorporating oils to MP bases. Oils also suppress the lather. This discussion may be helpful for you.

http://www.soapmakingforum.com/f38/oil-floating-top-mold-32978/

As for EOs, I'd suggest being very careful with them since you have sensitive skin. There are quite a few which are irritants and skin sensitizers. Some links which you might find helpful about EOs.

http://www.aromaweb.com/default.asp
http://www.naturesgift.com/essentialoil-skincare.htm
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/index.htm

 

[mcdonaldjs]

Thanks Hazel,

Yes, I was adding coconut oil. I was following a recipe I found online (once again proving that I can't trust everything that's online). It had me add 1/4 cup coconut oil to 2 lbs melt and pour. Incidentally, I made some more soap yesterday, without adding the coconut oil, and it turned out beautiful! I'm so excited to have success on my second try.

Thanks so much for the information and links

 

[Hazel]

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear the second one came out fine. I don't know if you've browsed Soap Queen's blog & youtube channel (Anne Marie - Brambleberry). She has a lot of tutorials on MP.

http://www.soapqueen.com/category/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-b...-beginners-guide-to-soapmaking-melt-and-pour/

http://www.youtube.com/user/soapqueentv