What is superfatting - in plain English please

[Meowmeow2d]

Hi, newbie here. Can someone explain what superfatting means? Is it the extra oils after soap has saponified? What's does a low percentage mean compared to high? I've read some posts but just don't understand! Thanks

 

[FlybyStardancer]

Superfat is having more fat (oils) than the lye can saponify.

A low percentage means that there is less leftover fat at the end of the process, and a high superfat means there's more leftover fat.

HTH!

 

[Obsidian]

Some people with really dry skin like myself like a bit higher superfat so some of the oils are left behind on your skin. Not enough to feel greasy or oil, just enough not to feel like jerky after a shower.

 

[Gaspar Navarrete]

Hi Meowmeow2d,

Here's a link that explains superfatting quite well, in my opinion.

http://curious-soapmaker.com/how-to-calculate-the-hot-process-superfat.html

Hope it helps.

 

[Sinful7]

Some people with really dry skin like myself like a bit higher superfat so some of the oils are left behind on your skin. Not enough to feel greasy or oil, just enough not to feel like jerky after a shower.

How Much SF do you normally use? If you don't mind sharing, my mom is really picky and has dry skin bit doesn't like "slimy" feeling soaps either

 

[shugohmk]

what is the normal amount of superfat that you should use? I always used 5% superfat whenever i put my recipe on the lye calculator.

 

[FlybyStardancer]

5% tends to be the default. Some people need more or less depending on skin type. The cap for normal soaps is 10%, but soaps with a very high amount of coconut (such as salt bars) go up to 20%.

 

[Susie]

Remember that CP superfat is just the amount of fat left over when the lye gets done with the saponification process. The lye does not care what oil it is, it is going to work on all of it equally. You add all oils at the start. So, save the expensive oils for other products.

HP, on the other hand, you add your superfat at the end, so you get to choose which oils remain unsaponified.

I had really dry skin(prone to eczema) before making my own soap. I am pretty set on 5% SF for me. Too much SF, and my lather quality goes down. Also, homemade soap still contains all the glycerin that the commercial soaps have removed, so it is going to be much more moisurizing even before worrying about higher superfat percentages.

 

[Sunaelurus]

Thanks for asking this question, and everyone answering. I have read over and over about superfatting, but still didn't understand. Now I do. Thanks!

 

[dixiedragon]

We need a new word to describe adding the superfat at the end of the cook in HP. I think that's where a lot of people get confused.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

I like "überfat" or "super-dooper-fat"

 

[Obsidian]

How Much SF do you normally use? If you don't mind sharing, my mom is really picky and has dry skin bit doesn't like "slimy" feeling soaps either

Generally I use 8% SF but if the cleansing number is 15 or higher, I use 10% SF. When formulating a recipe, I rarely use more then 10% coconut oil to keep the cleansing numbers lower.

 

[Sinful7]

I may try and create a recipe for her then. Thanks for the insight.

 

[shugohmk]

Generally I use 8% SF but if the cleansing number is 15 or higher, I use 10% SF. When formulating a recipe, I rarely use more then 10% coconut oil to keep the cleansing numbers lower.

Is there a rule on what number the cleansing number should be?

 

[MagicalMysterySoap]

We need a new word to describe adding the superfat at the end of the cook in HP. I think that's where a lot of people get confused.

Superfat is the correct term for hot process. For cold process it's a lye discount. At least the way I see it.

 

[Dennis]

We need a new word to describe adding the superfat at the end of the cook in HP. I think that's where a lot of people get confused.

Remaining fat
Unsaponified fat
Leftover fat

 

[shunt2011]

i generally superfat at 7-9%. I've found it make a lovely soap that isn't stripping your skin. I do use a superfat of 6-7% with my mens soap with a bit higher cleansing as most men can stand a bit more cleaning.

 

[Dennis]

i generally superfat at 7-9%. I've found it make a lovely soap that isn't stripping your skin. I do use a superfat of 6-7% with my mens soap with a bit higher cleansing as most men can stand a bit more cleaning.

:shock:

 

[DeeAnna]

"...Is there a rule on what number the cleansing number should be?..."

No. It depends on what your goal is for the soap.

For a gentle cleanser for face, hair, very dry skin, or babies, the cleansing might be zero.

A soap meant for general bath and shower use in wintertime or for gals might have a cleansing around 10, give or take.

For general purpose use for guys or summertime use, the cleansing might be higher -- maybe 15-20 or even more.

For cleaning greasy laundry in cold water, the cleansing might be whatever pure coconut oil soap will give you -- mid 60s.

Superfat modifies the apparent cleansing strength of a soap, all other things being equal. More superfat = less cleaning power. More superfat = less lather.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[DeeAnna]

"...Superfat is the correct term for hot process. For cold process it's a lye discount. At least the way I see it. ..."

I'm aware I'm taking the risk of shooting sacred cows....

If you put all the fats in the pot with less lye than the fats need to 100% saponify, it's a lye discount, whether you're doing HP or CP. The left-over fats in the soap are some mixture of the fats you started with.

If you saponify the fats (with or without a lye discount) AND THEN add a fat to the finished soap, that added fat is a superfat. One can only do this with a hot process method.

The finished soap is a superfatted soap, regardless of the technique used to get there.