Link500X
New Member
Hi, I'm new to soap making and have a few questions about making a liquid soap (body wash/shampoo). The soap I want to make will be made with 30% coconut oil, 25% sweet almond oil, 25% avocado oil, and 20% walnut oil. other product ingredients: MSM, sunflower lecithin, panthenol, essential oils, shea butter. (no preservatives beside essential oils and coconut oil)
1) Would adding lecithin allow me to superfat my liquid soap without needing to shake it before each use? I would like to initially make the soap with no lye discount, but add 2-5% coconut oil (for its anti-microbial properties) and 3-5% shea butter (for moisturizing/healing properties).
1a) Should the superfat amount listed above be as a percentage of the soap mixture (which is about 40% of the total product mixture), or product mixture? and how will it affect lather?
2) What percentage essential oil do you recommend? I'm thinking 2-3%. Do you think that is too much?
3) From what I've read, rancidity is caused by oxidation of the oils. Walnut oil is supposed to be high in antioxidants, but has a short shelf life. Why is this?
4) Any comments on product quality (specifically carrier and essential oils) from soapgoods.com, and essential oils from wfmed.com?
I also have some questions about making a rinse out hair conditioner. I know its not soap based, but its used after (soap based) shampoo, so I hope its okay to post questions about it in this forum section.
5) I plan to make a hair rinse/conditioner for daily use. What should the target ph be, without causing damage over time but still making the hair cuticles lay flat? The acidity of the product will be mostly from coconut oil and citric acid, but will contain other stuff as well.
6) Is a small amout of citric acid ok to leave in hair for a few minutes?
7) Is lecithin enough to make it thick, or do I need another thickening agent? If so what are some good, safe, natural choices (would any waxes work, or would they stay in hair causing a build-up or stickiness)?
8 ) Will a thick citric acid based product effectively remove hard water deposits from hair?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
edit: forgot to mention, I'll be using the hot process method with a slow cooker.
1) Would adding lecithin allow me to superfat my liquid soap without needing to shake it before each use? I would like to initially make the soap with no lye discount, but add 2-5% coconut oil (for its anti-microbial properties) and 3-5% shea butter (for moisturizing/healing properties).
1a) Should the superfat amount listed above be as a percentage of the soap mixture (which is about 40% of the total product mixture), or product mixture? and how will it affect lather?
2) What percentage essential oil do you recommend? I'm thinking 2-3%. Do you think that is too much?
3) From what I've read, rancidity is caused by oxidation of the oils. Walnut oil is supposed to be high in antioxidants, but has a short shelf life. Why is this?
4) Any comments on product quality (specifically carrier and essential oils) from soapgoods.com, and essential oils from wfmed.com?
I also have some questions about making a rinse out hair conditioner. I know its not soap based, but its used after (soap based) shampoo, so I hope its okay to post questions about it in this forum section.
5) I plan to make a hair rinse/conditioner for daily use. What should the target ph be, without causing damage over time but still making the hair cuticles lay flat? The acidity of the product will be mostly from coconut oil and citric acid, but will contain other stuff as well.
6) Is a small amout of citric acid ok to leave in hair for a few minutes?
7) Is lecithin enough to make it thick, or do I need another thickening agent? If so what are some good, safe, natural choices (would any waxes work, or would they stay in hair causing a build-up or stickiness)?
8 ) Will a thick citric acid based product effectively remove hard water deposits from hair?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
edit: forgot to mention, I'll be using the hot process method with a slow cooker.
