Soap properties/applications all in one place?

[SudsyKat]

Okay, y'all - I'm on a roll with the questions today. I've been thinking about soap and haven't had a chance to get on the forums, so now it's all pouring out.

I have found it so interesting to read about all the different types of soap - different oils, additives, etc. I've started to keep notes about the various types, but what I think is missing (for me) is an understanding of WHY each soap has value. I mean, I want to make beer soap and milk soaps (and there are so many different milks), and salt soap and charcoal and egg yolks and ...on and on. But WHY? What's the benefit of each - what are the properties and effects on the skin?

And let me say, I get that, for example, milk makes a soap creamy, but I'm more curious about what the actual benefits are of these different types of soaps. And while we're at it, maybe the down sides as well.

I'm imagining it as let's say you were trying to sell soap and listed all of your soaps on one page with a brief description of the benefits and who might use each one.

Maybe I'm crazy for thinking this can be contained in one post, but I thought I'd try. I'd appreciate anyone's input. Thanks!

 

[carebear]

soapcalc.net

 

[BakingNana]

soapcalc.net

Ya, for the effect of an ingredient in a recipe on the final product, but I think maybe you mean the "cosmetic" or some type of "health" effect on skin from using a particular ingredient?? Myself, I have opinions, but because I sell I try not to make claims other than the cleansing properties of my soaps may be less drying than detergents. So....yes, SoapCalc (love that baby!) to determine whether a particular ingredient increases lather, creaminess, conditioning (the not-so-drying aspect), cleansing (again, the not-so or more-so drying aspect), and so on. Am I understanding what you mean? Or did I just confuse the situation more?

 

[SudsyKat]

Thanks for trying to help. I didn't really see anything on soapcalc that addressed additives - like salt, egg yolks, beer, etc. Maybe I missed it, though. Please feel free to correct me.

I wasn't necessarily looking for "claims" to make about my soap - like "it'll cure your acne", but I was looking for comments like:

Salt Soap - helps me with breakouts, can irritate broken skin, great for _______....etc. Just for my own info. I will probably just end up searching various posts - I do enjoy browsing the forum. I just thought it might be fun to have it in one place.

No worries, though. Thank you all for your time!

 

[AZ Soaper]

I know a GREAT reference is "The Soapmakers Companion" I forget who wrote it but IMO I think anyone who go to gets a business license for soapmaking should be required to show a receipt of purchase of this book.

 

[nattynoo]

I know what your meaning Sudsykatl.

For me.....
Salt soap,
I like it cause I truly believe salt is the best healer. Swimming in the salt ocean will heal up cuts & infections well. Now I'm not saying to use salt soap on a wound but u know what I mean..... its just healthy. People have been using salt on their skin for centuries.
Honey soap,
It leaves my skin smooth as & honey is a natural humectant so continues to draw moisture to the skin.
Chocolate soap made with real chocolate,
Well its just rich in fat & leaves me feeling smooth & conditioned... & smelling yummy.

But in the end it all just cleans you & I've never felt so clean since I've been using handmade soap.

 

[carebear]

Thanks for trying to help. I didn't really see anything on soapcalc that addressed additives - like salt, egg yolks, beer, etc. Maybe I missed it, though. ... Please feel free to correct me.

no, not additives, but the other things you asked for are there. you kinda have to do some extra research on your own! and some of that means making soaps and testing them, as additives in the context of different formulas (with different fatty acid profiles and other ingredients) could behave differently.

 

[carebear]

Honey soap,
It leaves my skin smooth as & honey is a natural humectant so continues to draw moisture to the skin.

granted honey is a humectant, but since it's a wash-off product, how is that it continues to draw moisture to your skin?

 

[Muzhik]

Honey soap,
It leaves my skin smooth as & honey is a natural humectant so continues to draw moisture to the skin.

granted honey is a humectant, but since it's a wash-off product, how is that it continues to draw moisture to your skin?

The honey (with the soap) may wash off, but all the water that the honey sucked into your skin will stay there.

 

[nattynoo]

I think I might be missing something here.....

 

[BakingNana]

I know a GREAT reference is "The Soapmakers Companion" I forget who wrote it but IMO I think anyone who go to gets a business license for soapmaking should be required to show a receipt of purchase of this book.

Yep, that and Soapmaking for Fun and Profit.

I think some if not most of that kind of thing is personal opinion. I think egg yolks make the soap rich and creamy, but some people don't see a diff for example. Same with salt bars; I love salt and sugar scrubs and I think they helped stop my legs from itching. I tell that to people along with comments like "but that's just me...you'd need to try it for yourself. Everyone reacts differently."

 

[SudsyKat]

Thanks to all of you for your input. Researching (aka - browsing the forum) is actually quite enjoyable anyway, so I'll keep at it!)

 

[IanT]

what i did when I first found this place was go back to the first thread ever started and read forward from there... its alot but its a wealth of knowledge