I started a new thread because I wanted to focus on one aspect of charcoal soap--the texture based on the type of charcoal used.
I made my first charcoal soap by adding it to a rebatch base soap. I used activated charcoal (aquarium grade) that I ground in a blade grinder until powder started to come out of the grinder. After the dust settled, I used a mortar and pestle briefly to ensure the charcoal was powdered. I used 2 teaspoons for 21oz of melted soap (18 oz firm soap and 3 oz water) in a double boiler. The resulting soap was gray not black.
My husband showered with it and said it was like sand soap (an exaggeration)...he said it was an exfoliating soap like Lava and there was black "sand" in the tub when he was done. I haven't used it yet and he is very fussy; but if he thinks it's a better hand soap, then I need some pointers! I want to make a complexion bar.
Okay, I realize I used too much since I was going by the 1Tblsp per pound of oils recommendation and cut it back for a finished soap being rebatched. I was hoping for a very black soap as well.
Is it worth paying the high price for the activated charcoal powder from Soapmaking Resource or will the powder be the same as what I have made? Do I just need to grind it with a mortar/pestle more? Is charcoal soap usually smooth in texture or does it have a gritty feel to it like a pumice soap? If I add it from the start of the soap (rather than a rebatch) with either cold or hot process, am I likely to get a better color? If you cut down on the amount of charcoal, does it still have the active properties to help problem skin?
Thanks!
I made my first charcoal soap by adding it to a rebatch base soap. I used activated charcoal (aquarium grade) that I ground in a blade grinder until powder started to come out of the grinder. After the dust settled, I used a mortar and pestle briefly to ensure the charcoal was powdered. I used 2 teaspoons for 21oz of melted soap (18 oz firm soap and 3 oz water) in a double boiler. The resulting soap was gray not black.
My husband showered with it and said it was like sand soap (an exaggeration)...he said it was an exfoliating soap like Lava and there was black "sand" in the tub when he was done. I haven't used it yet and he is very fussy; but if he thinks it's a better hand soap, then I need some pointers! I want to make a complexion bar.
Okay, I realize I used too much since I was going by the 1Tblsp per pound of oils recommendation and cut it back for a finished soap being rebatched. I was hoping for a very black soap as well.
Is it worth paying the high price for the activated charcoal powder from Soapmaking Resource or will the powder be the same as what I have made? Do I just need to grind it with a mortar/pestle more? Is charcoal soap usually smooth in texture or does it have a gritty feel to it like a pumice soap? If I add it from the start of the soap (rather than a rebatch) with either cold or hot process, am I likely to get a better color? If you cut down on the amount of charcoal, does it still have the active properties to help problem skin?
Thanks!
