There's no butter left in the soap so I don't think it can get grainy... I have only had that in body butters and lip balms, and maybe a little bit in syndet bars, but it's hard to notice, since it's such a small amount.
Tempering works, but grainy-ness will evenutally appear if conditions aren't kept perfect. For instance, I have tried and tried to use it in my lip balms, I even tried using cera bellina as a stabilizer. I still get grainy balms after a few months if there are temperature fluctuations...for instance if I keep a lip balm in my pocket (which I do all of the time). I've since given up on it in this application. In lotions, it shouldn't have much of a problem because of the emulsified nature, but I have heard of it happening. I think it happens more with anhydrous products.
What do you think about this recipe?
That recipe of yours looks really interesting! I’m going to try the DIY recipe from etsy to cut my chops. But, I’m having a hard time picturing having to smoosh them.
May I ask which DIY recipe s a good starting off point? I found a couple on Etsy. Not sure where to start!
I totally sympathize. I only look there when I have a block of time to research, copy, and paste into a document that I can organize in a way that makes sense to my brain!
I've found that the dough gets less sticky as it cools. I know it's ready to smoosh into the mold when it starts sticking to my spatula less and less. If you've ever had a batch of CP soap really accelerate by a misbehaving FO and you've had to quickly plop and smoosh into the mold, you have the experience you need.
Syndet bar dough, however, is pliable for a lot longer than accelerated CP batter is. In fact, if you don't freeze them before unmolding it's hard to get them out in one piece.Susan at swiftcraftymonkey also sells ebooks. I don't have any of them but I'd think the information there would be a fair bit more organized than her blog, due to the format. She has a very thorough book on shampoo bars available, and another one that is just four recipes and not much else.
Most ingredients have a safe upper limit, percentage wise. In other words, if you use too much of that ingredient in your product, it can irritate skin. The vendor you buy ingredients from will sometimes have it on the product page, other times you have to do a little research.
Oh! Gotcha. Thanks for calling that to my attention! I remember seeing max %’s listed on ingredients from WSP.
I used the percentage she suggested and it's great for me and all of my testers. And I am someone who tends to react to all kinds of things that don't bother other people.
We should be getting paid for promoting and selling her recipes! I love them though! All of them! I’ve made the shampoo bars, conditioner bars, lotion, face cream, deodorant and the solid oil face cleanser stick! My face is in great shape! My hair has never been so soft and shiny! And my whole family uses it!
