Shea Butter

[eyebright]

I heard from other soapmakers Shea butter shouldn't be used more than 10%. Could anyone tell the reason behind it? According to the research I've done Shea butter can be used any where between 5%- 15%. What happens to the soap if there is too much shea butter?


Thank you!

 

[Cherry Bomb]

I know that shea butter used in high percentages can speed up trace.

 

[WallFlower]

I know in the single oil soap swap they did a 100% shea butter bar of soap here is the link (shea butter is #15 on the list):
http://www.zensoaps.com/singleoil.htm

And I'll just pull the part about the shea butter here:

"15. Shea Butter - much ash, dries very fast
color 5 snow white but very ashy
hard 5 very hard
texture 4 bit warped from shrinkage
odor 4 earthy like cocoa (or am I smelling a carry over?)
lather 2 like lotion, VERY creamy, almost no bubbles tho
conditioning 5 nice, hard to rinse, but of course feels great
Impression 4.5 would be perfect if not for the ash and no lather"

 

[eyebright]

Thank you, Wallflower! I will look at the link you provided.

 

[Hazel]

You can use a higher percentage than 15%. I made a batch of Anne Watson's Shea Soap and the percentage for shea was 30%. The batch turned out fine. It was a little drying for my skin (not because of the shea) but it had nice lather. The main reason I keep shea at 10% or less is because of the expense. Also, I don't believe adding more shea really increases the beneficial properties enough to justify using a high percentage so I'd rather use shea in leave on products. But this is just my opinion.

I'm curious about who said you shouldn't use more than 10%.