Rosemary Oleo extract

[scrubbie]

Is rosemary oleo extract only used in the oil containers when they first come or can one add it at trace so as to get a preservative benefit?
My T-50 has arrived and my sodium citrate and oleo get here tommorow or so. I am excited. But I have no tussah silk like I wanted argh.

 

[green soap]

I add it to my oil blend before adding lye/water, and make sure it is really well mixed in.

You could also add it to your oils before storing though.

 

[Hazel]

You could search for "rosemary oleoresin". There has been quite a few discussions about it. Since it's an antioxidant (not a preservative), there may be some benefit in adding it to oils in containers to help reduce rancidity and extend the shelf life of oils. I just don't know how effective it would be in soap since the lye monster can be so destructive. In my opinion, a well balanced soap recipe shouldn't require a preservative.

 

[judymoody]

I add it to my oils when I first buy them to extend their shelf life.

 

[BakingNana]

I only add it to the soap batter (mixed into oils) for those few "specialty" recipes I make that don't stay fresh as long as other more balanced recipes.

 

[green soap]

I use it anytime I add lavender EO.

Is there any other EO (other than lavender) that accelerates spoilage in soap?

 

[Mellifera]

I've never heard that lavender EO accelerates spoilage.

 

[LisaNY]

I add it to my oils when I first buy them to extend their shelf life.

Same here.

 

[Soapy Gurl]

I have never heard lavender EO accelerates spoilage either. I have some lavender soap over a year old that fine. It is a miracle it is that old, it is my favorite essential oil. I have an amazing French one.

 

[Hazel]

I checked out ROE and found a couple of articles which I thought were interesting. However, you may have already read these articles.

http://missionpeaksoap.com/hsmg_article_roe.pdf

http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapg ... xtract.htm

Also, you can just paste the word "oleoresin" in the search box and it will bring up a lot of threads. I'm serious - a lot. You might want to prepare yourself with a drink and a snack before you start reading.

I have to admit I only read a couple so I don't know how helpful they may be for you.

 

[carebear]

I have never heard lavender EO accelerates spoilage either. I have some lavender soap over a year old that fine. It is a miracle it is that old, it is my favorite essential oil. I have an amazing French one.

I've done some digging on this and there seem to be 2 camps - those who have no issue with lavender EO, and those who do... go figure!

 

[green soap]

I have never heard lavender EO accelerates spoilage either. I have some lavender soap over a year old that fine. It is a miracle it is that old, it is my favorite essential oil. I have an amazing French one.

I've done some digging on this and there seem to be 2 camps - those who have no issue with lavender EO, and those who do... go figure!

Let me clarify. I used Lavender EO as the main scent in a couple of salt bars batches that are essentially 100% CO. I am not concerned about those, and I would not use ROE on these soaps.

Many of my soaps are 30:70 hard:soft oil blend and Lavender has caused DOS while soaps of the same composition (and unfragranced or scented with something other than lavender) are good for at least a year.

I have a couple of lavender test batches curing, I will see how long I can 'guarantee' a lavender scented soap using the amount of soft oils that work for me. I put a marker on a loaf, used ROE in one and not on the other. I am hoping some family members will agree to test them for six months in more humid environments. Will continue the tests here for a year or until both go bad. If they do.

I halted sales of lavender scented (regular - non salt) soaps until I figure this out. Since lavender is my best selling scent, I might pursue another test using Sodium citrate and BHT. If ROE does the trick though, it has better label appeal, don't you think?

 

[carebear]

According to Dr Dunn, the NaCitrate & BHT work better. I've used them and my soaps lasted years without DOS, but then again my soaps are not DOS prone anyway so it's hard for me to tell.

The NaCitrate seems to accelerate trace, by the way.

 

[saltydog]

Glad someone asked this! I've also been thinking of trying REO to ensure a healthy shelf life, as I only make small 2# batches.
May I ask, at what percentage do you add it to your bottled soft oils?

*edited to say never-mind- I just read Hazels link- TY!

 

[green soap]

According to Dr Dunn, the NaCitrate & BHT work better. I've used them and my soaps lasted years without DOS, but then again my soaps are not DOS prone anyway so it's hard for me to tell.

The NaCitrate seems to accelerate trace, by the way.

Yes I know, I just read the article, which prompted me to order the chemicals. Thanks for telling me about trace and the sodium citrate!

As the deterioration is subtle and not really fast, it is possible that the preservative using the two chemical combination mentioned above is overkill. This is nothing like what I experienced last year with chlorophyll accelerated DOS. All soaps affected are still useable and none smell bad (yet). I am keeping two of my lavender affected bars and watching the progression. I took a picture of the chlorophyll-induced DOS at an advanced stage too. Perhaps ROE will be sufficient for lavender. I can live without chlorophyll - will never use it again, but I love lavender too. Or perhaps I will only use it with 100% CO? we'll see.

Should I start a thread on DOS and post those pictures? They are very ugly, it would be anti soap ****. However, considering the confusion about what is DOS or not DOS, maybe educational?

 

[Hazel]

green soap -

I think it would be very helpful to post pics of soaps with DOS. Thanks for offering.

 

[BakingNana]

I'm in the camp that has not had a problem with Lavender EO, but since so many have... is it possible that, since there are so many different types of Lavender EOs, that the variety makes a difference? Is Lavender one that is commonly adulterated, so that your source is important? Interesting to hear from EO experts out there. I had not heard of Lavender causing a problem before, either. I guess I'll be sticking with the one I've been using and not try another kind, much as I'd like to when prices are good.

 

[Soapsugoii]

Ok, I am an IDIOT and used ROE at 5% instead of .05%. It accelerated trace like nothing I've ever seen, and turned my soap SUPER dark. I was thinking to myself, well this is ridiculous - why would anyone ever use something that discolors their soap so badly!

My question is: Is my soap going to be usable having used ROE at such a high percentage? It was a 2350g (oils) batch, and I used 115g ROE. lol. Can't believe I wasted so much.

 

[Fragola]

Many of my soaps are 30:70 hard:soft oil blend and Lavender has caused DOS while soaps of the same composition (and unfragranced or scented with something other than lavender) are good for at least a year.

Hmm, I haven't heard of lavender or other EOs causing DOS either.

On the other hand, certain EOs (lavender and others) are known to oxidize with time, so I guess it does make some sense.

That being said, I wouldn't bet all my money on lavender causing DOS yet.

It could be that something else is causing DOS in your lavender batches. For example, your lavender EO may be a little old or otherwise impure. You could try another supplier.

Should I start a thread on DOS and post those pictures? They are very ugly, it would be anti soap ****. However, considering the confusion about what is DOS or not DOS, maybe educational?

There are many DOS threads out there, but it may be worth starting one on the specific topic of EOs causing DOS.

 

[sudbubblez]

I think it is more effective to add it to your oils in bottles. ROE does have temperatures at which its properties are destroyed. So... if its only going into the soap then the soap heats up and kills the ROE its a fruitless task. When added to the oils themselves, its like soaping with fresher ingredients to begin with.