Shea Butter Soap Question

[Ginger]

Hello I am new to soap making. I am going to make this soap tonight:

2 cups glycerin soap base, melted in a double boiler
2 tbsp shea butter, melted separately
Several drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)


My question is, do I need unrefined shea butter, OR can I use shea butter lotion???


Thanks!

 

[Tabitha]

You can use refined shea or unrefined shea. Refined just means it has been through extra filtering.

If you use shea lotion there is no telling what is in it. Turn over the bottle & read the label. Chances are there is only 1-2% shea in it & it's full of who knows what else. Do you want all that other stuff in your soap? If so, go for it, but if the lotion is only a few% shea, once you blend it into your batch if soap you will only end up .00001% shea in your soap.

 

[dragonfly princess]

Yeah I agree with Taab, use some unrefined shea for the ultimate in natural!!!

 

[Ginger]

Thanks guys! I will buy some off ebay I think, I found some for a decent price. Will 1 pound of it be enough for a lot of soaps? I'm mostly just looking for enough for about 20-25 candles.

 

[soapbuddy]

Be aware that unrefined might have a slight earthy, smokey smell.

Irena

 

[leansoapqueen]

Good Ebay seller

PM me of you want to know a good shea seller on ebay- his stuff is amazing and all fairy traded, unrefined and so healing- he also sells a shea oil- might be easier than melting down the butter- not sure about the oil- never have used it. He's knowledgable! I would give you his name but not sure if I can????
Dannielle

 

[Tabitha]

1oz is 2 TBSP
1# is 32 TBSP

Yiour recipe above calls for 2 TBSP for a 1# batch of soap so if you follow that recipe , 1# of shea will make will make (8) 2# batch =16# of soap.

IMHO, 1 TBSP per 1# batch would be plenty.

I order my unrefined shea from Columbus Foods, it is $32-ish dollars for 10# & is food grade, that is just over $3.00 per pound. They also have refined organic for just a couple bucks more.

 

[Lucy]

Thanks guys! I will buy some off ebay I think, I found some for a decent price. Will 1 pound of it be enough for a lot of soaps? I'm mostly just looking for enough for about 20-25 candles.

are you making candles or soap?

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Re: Good Ebay seller

PM me of you want to know a good shea seller on ebay- his stuff is amazing and all fairy traded, unrefined and so healing- he also sells a shea oil- might be easier than melting down the butter- not sure about the oil- never have used it. He's knowledgable! I would give you his name but not sure if I can????
Dannielle

Sure it is OK to post the source of your Shea Butter! We allow that kind of stuff here at SMF. I, like Tab, buy most of my Shea from Mike at CF. I have some unrefined Shea from a CO-Op at another forum a few months ago.

Paul....

 

[Tabitha]

We love to see positive posts about supplier.

 

[leansoapqueen]

Awesome...

His name is Rob- or goes by the Sheabutterman on Ebay...
His Ebay store is called Diabetics Best Friend by Tkon.. His prices are pretty good- product is well packed and fresh, scents are amazing, his black soap has cleared my acne with no oils and he's a nice guy- fast shipper, fast question response. I'm not advertising or anything but I have used alot of his stuff on myself and his unrefined is the best around in my opinion! Plus samples rock!
To find him just search TKON on Ebay- go to a listing and pull up his store.

 

[soapbuddy]

Re: Awesome...

His name is Rob- or goes by the Sheabutterman on Ebay...
His Ebay store is called Diabetics Best Friend by Tkon.. His prices are pretty good- product is well packed and fresh, scents are amazing, his black soap has cleared my acne with no oils and he's a nice guy- fast shipper, fast question response. I'm not advertising or anything but I have used alot of his stuff on myself and his unrefined is the best around in my opinion! Plus samples rock!
To find him just search TKON on Ebay- go to a listing and pull up his store.

Isn't he kind of expensive? 1 lb. for $12.99 plus $8.95 shipping?

Irena

 

[leansoapqueen]

Gone up a little...

His prices have gone up a little since the last time I used him but still very worth it- products are high quality. You can catch few day auctions too that are cheaper...

 

[Soapmaker Man]

lean, sweetie, I can share with you many places to buy a pound of unrefined or refined shea much less than that. I know you are happy with him, and that is an important factor, but if you want to look at better pricing, just PM me.

Paul....

 

[leansoapqueen]

Thanks Paul- will do that as well- if I can get the quality cheaper- awesome!!!

 

[Soapmaker Man]

Thanks Paul- will do that as well- if I can get the quality cheaper- awesome!!!

WSP (Wholesale Supplies Plus) has natural unrefined Shea for only $7.50 per pound. Here is the direct link to it:

http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Pr ... +-+Natural

WSP is a great supplier!

Paul....

 

[sunflwrgrl7]

I agree WSP is pretty awesome!

 

[leansoapqueen]

OMG- 7.50 great!! Thanks so much!