Question about soaping with hard oils

[SoapSap]

I want to try this formula using more hard oils. This is for Cold Process.
This is the formula:
20% Lard
28% Coconut Oil
28% Palm Oil
24% Olive Oil 26%
2 % Castor Oil

38% water to oil (default on SoapCalc)

With this formula my concern is will it trace fast? And what temperature would be best for me to use. I don't know if it is best to mix the oils and lye solution at a high temperature or lower temperature?

 

[lsg]

I like 5% Castor oil in my recipes. You can mix your lye water and oils at about 100*F temp.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

Palm is similar to lard, but traces faster - maybe move all of the palm to up the lard for slower moving recipe?

 

[Susie]

I would definitely move all the palm to lard. You don't have to worry about stearic spots with lard. I would also use 5% castor oil for lather.

 

[Arthur Dent]

I would also up the Castor to 5% and bring the Coconut down to 20%. Leave out the palm and up the lard to even it out.
That would bring it all out to:

51% Lard
24% Olive
20% Coconut
5% Castor

Hmmm... That's pretty close to one of my favorite recipes. :mrgreen:

 

[seven]

how fast is fast for you? do you need more than a few minutes to do intricate techniques? i soaped with high palm all the time at room temp. yes it traces fast, but there's a trick to it. go easy on the sb and blend till emulsion only. watch out for false trace though.

 

[SoapSap]

Today I made my test batch. I considered the answers everyone gave me and then even further tweeted my formula. I decided to take away all the Palm Oil and use more Lard instead.

The trace was very very slow. I mixed at about 105 degrees. I did a two color pot swirl and had a could have done multi-color work for all the time I had.

What you cannot see on my formula is that I added 1 tsp. Sodium Lactate, 20g of Merlot wine that I reduced from 1 cup of it that I had left over from last night. I was unsure of what scent I wanted to use because I thought the Lard was definitely making the batter smell piggy. I ended up using a sample of "Burnt Sugar" from BB.

I just finished pouring it into a wooden loaf mold and I have it wrapped up in a fairly warm room because I want it to gell. I will watch it because it might heat up too much because of the wine. But I don't really know what 20g of concentrated Merlot will do.

When I cut this loaf I will post pictures if it is a success. Maybe even if it isn't.

Thanks for helping me out with all of your responses.

I hope you can make out my formula.

 

[Arthur Dent]

I hope it turns out, I'll be interested in your report.
31% coconut oil would have me scratching all my skin off though.

 

[nebetmiw]

Everyone is different. We have hard high ph water here. I use both palm and Co in my soap. I also use lard and safflower. Everyone loves my soaps and those with skin issues with others soaps don't have it with mine. But all of mine now are milk also. I also find most blame one ingredient when there is alot more in them. When a soap is 3 to 4 oils only there is not a problem. But start adding color and clays and butters and you have problems with some people.

 

[SoapSap]

I hope it turns out, I'll be interested in your report.
31% coconut oil would have me scratching all my skin off though.

I have used around 30% CC in other formulas and the soaps were not drying because I off-set it with other oils/butters etc. I check with SoapCalc to make sure it is high on the conditioning scale.

This formula in spite of 31% CC looks pretty high on conditioning.

 

[SoapSap]

I hope it turns out, I'll be interested in your report.
31% coconut oil would have me scratching all my skin off though.

I have used around 30% CC in other formulas and the soaps were not drying because I off-set it with other oils/butters etc. I check with SoapCalc to make sure it is high on the conditioning scale.

This formula in spite of 31% CC looks pretty high on conditioning to me.

 

[Arthur Dent]

Great! :grin: I am anxious to see what it looks like when you cut it.

 

[shunt2011]

I personally like my conditioning in the high 50's to 60's. Also with only 5% SF it may be a bit drying to some. I couldn't use it, I generally keep my CO between 15-22% with a 8% superfat most times. I also use Castor at 5% and SL 2%.

You'll have to let us know how it turns out. Pictures of course.

 

[SoapSap]

I personally like my conditioning in the high 50's to 60's. Also with only 5% SF it may be a bit drying to some. I couldn't use it, I generally keep my CO between 15-22% with a 8% superfat most times. I also use Castor at 5% and SL 2%.

You'll have to let us know how it turns out. Pictures of course.

Do you find that higher conditioning numbers have any effect on making the soap more DOS prone? Just wondering.

 

[SoapSap]

Hello, I am back to follow-up on my soap outcome. I made it approximately 48 hours ago. I removed it from the mold after 24 hours and just cut it now. The blade drug a bit but I will be eventually planing it because I do like the glossy look that results.

The raspberry mica is not as true a color as I had hoped for. I am okay with the pot swirl, but the scent does not appeal to me at all. I just do not know if OT is the BB Burnt Sugar Fragrance Oil, or the aroma of Lard. Maybe it will be better after a long cure. I hope so.