% of butters in soap

[whitetulips]

What % of shea butter or cocoa butter does everyone like to use in their soap, say, superfatted at 5%?

 

[VanessaP]

I made a 20% cocoa butter batch for my OMH last summer, and it was divine. But overall, its going to depend on the rest of the formula too to help even out the profile. Just as a part of my regular formula, 5% to 10%.

 

[whitetulips]

I had been using 3%, but wanted to up it a bit. I think I'll try 5% with my next batches.

 

[VanessaP]

If its under 5%, unless its pine tar, its highly unlikely you've been able to actually tell. 3% isn't much to feel amongst so much other components. I would try 5% then try one at 10% and see if you can feel a difference

 

[Lotus]

I made a 20% cocoa butter batch for my OMH last summer, and it was divine. But overall, its going to depend on the rest of the formula too to help even out the profile. Just as a part of my regular formula, 5% to 10%.

I agree! 5% to 10%. I like to do a little higher range than lower.

 

[hoegarden]

Highest of butter use 10%. I keep my butter % max to 10%.

 

[melstan775]

Highest of butter use 10%. I keep my butter % max to 10%.

Why that number?

 

[christinak]

my favorite recipes have shea up between 15 and 35%. 10% is really low imo.

 

[melstan775]

my favorite recipes have shea up between 15 and 35%. 10% is really low imo.

I made a soap with mixed butters recently and it feels good on the skin. Soooo soft and creamy! however, it seems a bit filmy and even a touch drying, so I am going to lower my butters and see if it helps.

 

[lsg]

My highest percent of butter would be about 15% and that would be the highest I would use.

 

[Nevada]

more than 5% Cocoa Butter will yield a lot of ash, (in my experience)
Now using this with good results:
Castor 4%
Cocoa Butter 3%
Shea Butter 3%
I like the even 10% for easier recipe Calculations

 

[Theda]

I made a 60% Shea Butter soap out of curiosity. Next week marks the 4 week cure time and am looking forward to trying it.

 

[hoegarden]

Why that number?

When I have butter more than 10%, i realise my skin will not be taking it well and so far the soap not performing to expectation.

Individual reacts differently to the oils used in the soap. so for me, i won't go beyond 10% for butter.

some of the butter like cocoa butter will speed up the trace process. as I did manual stirring/mixing of soap. I do not want to be brought into a trace too soon too. In case of false trace, and don't allow me to continue mixing. as the mixture thicken, i need more strength to mix the lye n oil.. LOL

 

[squeakycleanuk]

I have just made 2 batches both with 15% shea and 15% cocoa butter. I have no idea what they are like yet though because one batch is only 3 weeks old and the other only 1 week, so not tried them but they look very creamy I can't say I've noticed any ash though.

 

[shunt2011]

I use between 5-10 percent though I have used as much at 20 and found it made a lovely soap as well but stick between 5-10 for most.

 

[whitetulips]

How about % castor oil. I've read not to go much higher than 3% or the soap will be too soft. Any thoughts?

 

[Theda]

How about % castor oil. I've read not to go much higher than 3% or the soap will be too soft. Any thoughts?

There is a 40% castor shampoo bar recipe on the Soaping101 facebook page that many people there have tried. I have not, so can't say what it's like, but the pictures of others' are a very pretty almost transparent soap. Personally, I usually use 5-10% with good results.

 

[VanessaP]

How about % castor oil. I've read not to go much higher than 3% or the soap will be too soft. Any thoughts?

When I use castor oil, I generally use it at 10%. I don't think I've ever made a batch with less than 10% unless I didn't use it at all. Now, I have noticed that the more soft oils you use, the more likely the castor is to help leave the soap sticky. I use a lot of hard oils, minimum 50%, for most of my soaps, so I don't usually have an issue with 10% castor.