Salt Soap Info Search

[TashaBird]

Howdy! I’ve read through several pages of searching “salt soap” here on SMF. While interesting, I still don’t understand what it is, what folks like about it, or how it’s made. What does the %of salt mean? (Also, what is “ppo”?) A link to a thorough break down would be great, also a recipe, or tutorial! And, what is happening chemically with salt soap?
Thanks in advance! Really LOVE this forum!

I found this link. Get Clean With Homemade Salt Soap BarsGet Clean With Homemade Salt Soap Bars

 

[Obsidian]

That page should answer most of your questions. PPO means per pound of oil.

You'll just have to try a batch and see if you like it. I can't quite explain why salt bars are so nice, especially in the summer. They just leave the skin feeling more refreshed and the lather is fantastic.

I make a simple recipe, 80% coconut, 20% olive with 35% salt and a 20% superfat.

I suggest using single cavity molds as cutting salt bars is tricky, has to be timed just right.

Making it is simple, make your batter like any other soap. As soon as it gets to medium trace, hand stir in your salt and quickly pour into mold.
You'll want to color and scent before adding the salt, as salt will cause quick trace.
Don't try for multiple colors at first, just do a simple one color batch.
Cure for at least 6 months.

 

[TheGecko]

Howdy! I’ve read through several pages of searching “salt soap” here on SMF. While interesting, I still don’t understand what it is, what folks like about it, or how it’s made. What does the %of salt mean? (Also, what is “ppo”?) A link to a thorough break down would be great, also a recipe, or tutorial! And, what is happening chemically with salt soap?

PPO = Per Pound of Oil

Salt Soap can be made a couple of different ways...dissolving the salt or leaving the salt whole. Salt soap is generally made the same way that other soap is made...with a lye solution made from a liquid and Sodium Hydroxide and oils/butters. Where salt soaps differ is in the oils/butters used, the liquid and the types and amounts of salt used. Oh...and it is generally highly superfatted because of the high amounts of coconut oil used.

Some of the 'benefits' of salt soap are that is is exfoliating, detoxifying, can reduce acne and inflammation.

When making a salt soap, a couple of things...1) you need to make sure you blend your soap batter to a medium to medium-thick trace so that the salt is suspended throughout the soap batter, else-wise it will sink. 2) it is best, IMHO, to make salt soap in cavity molds as opposed to making a loaf or logs as salt soap tends to harden quickly and then will be very difficult to cut.

ETA: Salt Soap needs a longer cure time, a good six months. I've tried my Salt Bars at a 6-week cure and they were awful; it was better at 3 months, best at 6 months (or more). Also, your Salt Soap may 'sweat' while it's curing.

 

[TashaBird]

That page should answer most of your questions. PPO means per pound of oil.

You'll just have to try a batch and see if you like it. I can't quite explain why salt bars are so nice, especially in the summer. They just leave the skin feeling more refreshed and the lather is fantastic.

I make a simple recipe, 80% coconut, 20% olive with 35% salt and a 20% superfat.

I suggest using single cavity molds as cutting salt bars is tricky, has to be timed just right.

Making it is simple, make your batter like any other soap. As soon as it gets to medium trace, hand stir in your salt and quickly pour into mold.
You'll want to color and scent before adding the salt, as salt will cause quick trace.
Don't try for multiple colors at first, just do a simple one color batch.
Cure for at least 6 months.

Can salt soap bars only be made with coconut oil?

 

[Obsidian]

They need to have a high amount of coconut. Salt water prevents soap from lathering, coconut soap is one of the few that will lather in salt.
We counter the high amount of coconut by using a high superfat.

 

[Arimara]

Can salt soap bars only be made with coconut oil?

Yes but I think it feels nicer with another oil added to the mix. So 75-100% Coconut oil is needed.

 

[AliOop]

I love my 100% CO 30%SF salt bars. They were ok after 3 months, and are now really nice after six months. I added coffee grounds to make it slightly exfoliating and deodorizing. I always have a bar at the kitchen sink to remove food chopping odors, and to clean up after gardening.

The lather is great, and with all that SF, it doesn't dry out my skin, either. I'm not usually a big CO fan, but I do like these bars a lot after the long cure.

I've also heard that people in humid climates love them because they leave the skin feeling extra clean and less sticky.

 

[TashaBird]

They need to have a high amount of coconut. Salt water prevents soap from lathering, coconut soap is one of the few that will lather in salt.
We counter the high amount of coconut by using a high superfat.

Then is this a relatively modern style of soap? Anyone know?

I love my 100% CO 30%SF salt bars. They were ok after 3 months, and are now really nice after six months. I added coffee grounds to make it slightly exfoliating and deodorizing. I always have a bar at the kitchen sink to remove food chopping odors, and to clean up after gardening.

The lather is great, and with all that SF, it doesn't dry out my skin, either. I'm not usually a big CO fan, but I do like these bars a lot after the long cure.

I've also heard that people in humid climates love them because they leave the skin feeling extra clean and less sticky.

A %30 SF just boggles my mind!

 

[Obsidian]

30% seems a bit much, 20% is plenty.

I don't know when salt bars were first invented but coconut oil soap has been used by sailors for quite a long time since they lather at sea.

 

[Mobjack Bay]

There are at least two kinds of soaps that prominently feature salt. In the beginning, I didn't really understand the difference.

salt bars - made with dry salt and the salt is added to the batter. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/how-do-the-qualities-of-salt-bars-change-over-time.75921/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/benefits-of-a-salt-bar.76805/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-do-you-like-about-salt-bars.72711/
brine or soleseife soaps - made with salt water "brine" as the liquid. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/why-do-you-make-soleseife-brine-bars.77869/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/wow-tried-this-euro-salt-recipe-love-it.44266/

 

[AliOop]

I agree that if it weren't 100% CO, then 20% SF would probably be enough. But I do find 100% CO too drying even at 20%.

I honestly was skeptical about making a 30% SF soap, but it was a recipe from one of Amanda Aaron's books, and sure enough, it turned out great.

 

[cmzaha]

I have been making salt bars for at least 10 years, and at the time there was not much information available for making them. So I admit to making a lot of errors until I hit upon what I use as my go to recipe. I do not make them with 100% CO for one reason they do not last very long since CO make a very soluble soap, being the reason 100% CO soap is considered "Sailors Soap". I like 85% CO, 10% Castor, and 5% any Liquid Oil other than OO with a 17% Superfat and 100% salt. I do not let my soap get to medium trace before adding in my salt but I am using more salt than most use so mine will stay suspended. I also use a 28% lye concentration for my salt bars since I am using so much salt and 8% fragrance.

 

[TashaBird]

There are at least two kinds of soaps that prominently feature salt. In the beginning, I didn't really understand the difference.

salt bars - made with dry salt and the salt is added to the batter. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/how-do-the-qualities-of-salt-bars-change-over-time.75921/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/benefits-of-a-salt-bar.76805/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-do-you-like-about-salt-bars.72711/
brine or soleseife soaps - made with salt water "brine" as the liquid. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/why-do-you-make-soleseife-brine-bars.77869/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/wow-tried-this-euro-salt-recipe-love-it.44266/

Thank you!

I have been making salt bars for at least 10 years, and at the time there was not much information available for making them. So I admit to making a lot of errors until I hit upon what I use as my go to recipe. I do not make them with 100% CO for one reason they do not last very long since CO make a very soluble soap, being the reason 100% CO soap is considered "Sailors Soap". I like 85% CO, 10% Castor, and 5% any Liquid Oil other than OO with a 17% Superfat and 100% salt. I do not let my soap get to medium trace before adding in my salt but I am using more salt than most use so mine will stay suspended. I also use a 28% lye concentration for my salt bars since I am using so much salt and 8% fragrance.

That sounds like a kind of recipe I’d like to try. Thank you!
Now I need to figure out what exactly the lye as a percentage means. So far I’ve just used the calculator.

 

[Adobehead]

There are at least two kinds of soaps that prominently feature salt. In the beginning, I didn't really understand the difference.

salt bars - made with dry salt and the salt is added to the batter. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/how-do-the-qualities-of-salt-bars-change-over-time.75921/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/benefits-of-a-salt-bar.76805/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-do-you-like-about-salt-bars.72711/
brine or soleseife soaps - made with salt water "brine" as the liquid. I recommend these threads:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/why-do-you-make-soleseife-brine-bars.77869/https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/wow-tried-this-euro-salt-recipe-love-it.44266/

Thanks for posting all these threads, I am reading each one.
Before I joined this forum, I had been soaping in isolation for a long time, always using my tried and true formula. I heard something about salt and tossed some (seemed like a lot, but I didn't measure) into my normal formula. I used Clary Sage with it and it was beautiful. Now the EO has faded and it has aged, I hid it in a bottom drawer in my bedroom. I hoarde this and now am going to try some of your formulas. I am really grateful to all you generous posters, this is so fun.

 

[linne1gi]

Howdy! I’ve read through several pages of searching “salt soap” here on SMF. While interesting, I still don’t understand what it is, what folks like about it, or how it’s made. What does the %of salt mean? (Also, what is “ppo”?) A link to a thorough break down would be great, also a recipe, or tutorial! And, what is happening chemically with salt soap?
Thanks in advance! Really LOVE this forum!

I found this link. Get Clean With Homemade Salt Soap BarsGet Clean With Homemade Salt Soap Bars

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...6HjJ4UYtnKceZandbJBWqwbTyNao63jQz3htloW2xvR3Y

 

[DeeAnna]

This link may work better for folks without a Facebook account -- 8 Reasons Salt Soap Bars are Fabulous for the Skin | Simple Life Mom

Read this article with a skeptical eye. A few of the supposed benefits of salt soap as listed by this author are unfounded medical claims.

Since she's selling salt bars and listing these supposed medical benefits on her website, the FDA would conclude she's making drug claims as a way to market this soap. Not a smart thing to do.

The info in the link Tashabird gave is more matter of fact, although the vague claim of "detoxifying" is annoying. "Detox" is as trendy as "natural" -- and pretty much as meaningless. But this article is otherwise quite factual and straightforward.

 

[atiz]

It's hard to say what's so nice about salt bars, but I like them too. Even sometimes as a face-wash. I like their hardness and there's also something to be said for salty water.
I've made two kinds, and go back and forth about which one I like more. One is 100% CO, 35% salt, 13% SF. The other is 85% CO, 10% Avocado oil, 5% Castor oil, 50% salt, also 13% SF. They both lather quite well, and neither is drying for me, but they do have different feels.

 

[linne1gi]

This link may work better for folks without a Facebook account -- 8 Reasons Salt Soap Bars are Fabulous for the Skin | Simple Life Mom

Read this article with a skeptical eye. A few of the supposed benefits of salt soap as listed by this author are unfounded medical claims.

Since she's selling salt bars and listing these supposed medical benefits on her website, the FDA would conclude she's making drug claims as a way to market this soap. Not a smart thing to do.

The info in the link Tashabird gave is more matter of fact, although the vague claim of "detoxifying" is annoying. "Detox" is as trendy as "natural" -- and pretty much as meaningless. But this article is otherwise quite factual and straightforward.

There are people who don't have a facebook account? LOL And yes the article is sketchy, but interesting.

 

[TashaBird]

For salt bars in particular, what essential oils have you found that last the 6 month cure?

 

[linne1gi]

For salt bars in particular, what essential oils have you found that last the 6 month cure?

Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemongrass, Clove, Bergamot, to name a few. I always anchor with a bit of kaolin clay and try to layer my fragrances.