Total newbie, not sure where to start

[Mindyw86]

Hi everyone, I have been making candles for about 3 years now and really want to branch out into soaping and B&B products! I have been doing a lot of research and have decided to start with m&p. I really want to do cp too, but as a stay at home mom of a 7 year old and a very active 2 year old, I really don't want lye in my house. If I can get my own workspace like a shed or room detattched from the house with a lock and key I would love to give it a try!
Anyways, I was wondering about m&p bases, AH/RE are the closest to me (I think) and I was wondering if any of you use their bases for m&p or b&b products and what u think of them. If you haven't or don't use them who do u prefer and why?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me to help me get started!
Mindy

 

[Genny]

I've used the Stephenson bases fromAH/RE and I liked them just fine. They set up well and don't sweat too bad. I found them a little drying on my skin, but not too bad.

For MP I usually use NGC's Shea MP or their Goat Milk MP. But it matters what you're looking for in the soap.

 

[Mindyw86]

Thanks for the reply Genny, I am looking for something very moisturizing as my children and both of my nephews have eczema. I cannot have anything with cocoa butter in it as my nephew is allergic. Have you tried the goats milk or Shea butter MP from Ah/re?

Is stephensons all a bit drying?

 

[Genny]

I haven't tried the goats milk or shea butter from AH/RE. But goats milk as an ingredient is a great starting point for a soap to help with eczema. One of my daughters has eczema and at first we found that goats milk helped relieve the flare ups. Eventually we switched her to Castile soaps and that's seemed to help more.
For many people with eczema, products with detergents & surfactants in them can be irritating on their skin if used regularly. I know a few of Stephenson's bases contain surfactants. I'm not anti-surfactant, they're very useful most of the time, just not when you have very sensitive skin or eczema.

If your nephew's allergic to cocoa butter though, wherever you buy your mp base from, you may want to contact them and ask if they're soap bases are all manufactured in the same facility and if there's any chances of cross contamination with cocoa butter.

 

[lisamaliga]

Stephenson bases are quite good. I also recommend those from SFIC.