Opinion on Soap Recipie

[z00100]

Hi,

What does everyone think of this recipe?

OO Pomace = 24.14%
Sunflower = 17.24%
Palmoil = 27.59%
Coconut = 27.59%
Castor = 3.45%

Right off the bat I know that the recipe can be improved by increasing the Castor percentage, but where I live castor is frighteningly expensive. Around the tune of 20 dollars a liter for castor. That being said, I could bump it up to 5% if need be.

However, can this be changed to improve the "qualities" of the soap significantly?

I cannot add any other types of oils or substitute for different types. I'm pretty much stuck with those 5 oils.

Please help

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Personally, I'm not a fan of Sunflower oil...so I would do this simple but reliable recipe:
Olive Pomace Oil 45%
Coconut Oil 30%
Palm Oil 20%
Castor Oil 5%

 

[z00100]

Personally, I'm not a fan of Sunflower oil...so I would do this simple but reliable recipe:
Olive Pomace Oil 45%
Coconut Oil 30%
Palm Oil 20%
Castor Oil 5%

If you don't mind me asking.......why don't you like Sunflower? From what I know it's high in Vitamin E.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Sunflower oil, unless you're using the high Oleic version, has a very short shelf life which can result in DOS (like Grapeseed, Canola, and Soybean).
Here's an experiment you may find interesting:
http://www.zensoaps.com/singleoil.htm

Using it at a small percentage (under 15%) may be "safer", but I personally don't feel it brings enough to the table to take the risk of rancidity. I used the high Oleic version in some bath bombs recently, and within 6 weeks they smelled rancid...and that's with them being kept in an airtight container in a cool dark cabinet.

 

[chicklet]

The only case of DOS I've had is in a batch I made in November that had 17% sunflower oil. I won't be buying any more of it. I used the rest of my supply in small percentages, like 3 to 5, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed about those batches.

 

[z00100]

Sunflower oil, unless you're using the high Oleic version, has a very short shelf life which can result in DOS (like Grapeseed, Canola, and Soybean).
Here's an experiment you may find interesting:
http://www.zensoaps.com/singleoil.htm

Using it at a small percentage (under 15%) may be "safer", but I personally don't feel it brings enough to the table to take the risk of rancidity. I used the high Oleic version in some bath bombs recently, and within 6 weeks they smelled rancid...and that's with them being kept in an airtight container in a cool dark cabinet.

The sunflower oil I bought and use is store bought from a supermarket. Would that be a high oleic version or a "normal" version.

By the way, thanks a lot for the help regarding Sunflower oil. I didn't know it had a high rancidity potential.

I have to now look for something different to substitute.

 

[lsg]

If you are buying from the supermarket it is probably just normal sunflower oil. You can add Vit E to your recipe to prevent DOS or oxidation of your oils. I usually add it to the new liquid oils that I buy for soap making. I feel it gives them a longer shelf life. You can also add grapefruit seed extract or Rosemary Oleoresin to prevenet oxidation of your oils.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

High Oleic Sunflower Oil is usually labeled as such, and costs more than the usual version. It's possible that's what you got, but I couldn't tell you without reading the label.
May I ask why you want to add/substitute another oil?
I know many people like to add a lot of different oils in their soaps, but really, sometimes it's overload for a rinse off product (IMO). You would be better served (and so would your wallet :wink to save the more expensive or exotic oils for products like lotions, creams, serums, and balms.

 

[z00100]

Personally, I'm not a fan of Sunflower oil...so I would do this simple but reliable recipe:
Olive Pomace Oil 45%
Coconut Oil 30%
Palm Oil 20%
Castor Oil 5%

I'm trying this recipe now and will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for the help!!

I did a calculation and the revised recipe barely increases the bar cost by 2% Which is fine in my books.

 

[z00100]

I'm trying this recipe now and will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for the help!!

I did a calculation and the revised recipe barely increases the bar cost by 2% Which is fine in my books.

So I tried the recipe, and it looks good so far. I had seizing/ricing issues but that's because of the Geranium EO I used. Otherwise it looks decent so far. I'll have to wait till tomorrow to unmold and cut before I can give a very preliminary verdict.

The real test will be after 30 days of cure time.

Till then........fingers crossed!

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

So I tried the recipe, and it looks good so far. I had seizing/ricing issues but that's because of the Geranium EO I used.

Oh yes, Geranium certainly accelerates. I usually mix it with a little warm emulsified soap batter in a separate bowl to temper it, then add it back to the soap batter at medium trace. Seems to help...

Make sure to post some cut pics...we love pics ;-)

P.S. Where is the "land of sand"?

 

[z00100]

Hi. Soap looks like it's firming up nicely. Still a bit too soft. Needs around 6-10 hours more before unmolding. I guess it's the high OO Content. My older recipe loaf would be unmoldable within 6-8 hours and ready for cutting in 12-14 hours. This looks to be 24 hours to unmold and perhaps a 36 to cut.

Pics will be posted once done

 

[z00100]

I'm based in Bahrain

 

[Gryfonmoon]

I love sunflower oil, it's conditioning and cheap but you can't really do more than 10-15%. I use virgin sunflower oil.

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Hi. Soap looks like it's firming up nicely. Still a bit too soft. Needs around 6-10 hours more before unmolding. I guess it's the high OO Content. My older recipe loaf would be unmoldable within 6-8 hours and ready for cutting in 12-14 hours. This looks to be 24 hours to unmold and perhaps a 36 to cut.

Pics will be posted once done

If you use a water discount (stronger lye solution=less water+same amount of lye required in recipe) you will be able to unmold and cut sooner. I usually unmold at about 18 hours, and will admit to cutting too soon most of the time... I TRY to wait 24 hours to cut...but my patience wears thin, I throw caution to the wind and cut right away :shifty: