what'll sugar do, really?

[rob]

i thought about superfatting and using more Coconut oil, but i worry about how the soap will feel after it's cured. i always figure on my bars being about 5%, and i sometimes wish they were harder. i worry that superfatting will make them even softer?

I also thought about using confectioner's sugar, but i understand that confectioners sugar contains cornstarch, which apparently has an effect on the skin.

My current half-baked scheme: i normally use 38% water, which is the default on soapcalc. i was thinking of taking a quarter of my water, and dissolving the sugar in that. I'll dissolve my lye in the remaining 3/4 of the water. after the lye solution cools to 110F, or thereabouts, i'll add the sugar solution to that, then soap as normal.

how's that sound?

-rob

 

[MagiaDellaLuna]

how's that sound?

-rob

Perfect I like the idea of adding the sugar water after the lye has cooled a bit.

 

[IrishLass]

i thought about superfatting and using more Coconut oil, but i worry about how the soap will feel after it's cured. i always figure on my bars being about 5%, and i sometimes wish they were harder. i worry that superfatting will make them even softer?

-rob

I make high % CO soaps quite often, sometimes 100% CO, sometimes 70% Co with 30% butters, superfatted anywhere from 15% to 20%, and those suckers are hard as rocks! Coconut oil has a very high hardness factor.

IrishLass

 

[artisan soaps]

..

 

[xyxoxy]

I also thought about using confectioner's sugar, but i understand that confectioners sugar contains cornstarch, which apparently has an effect on the skin.

I had never heard this but I do see some things online that confirm that it is sometimes added to prevent clumping. I don't use much powdered sugar but I can tell you that you can make your own in a coffee grinder. That way you know it only contains plain white sugar and nothing else.

 

[Bigmoose]

so do you all add sugar to your ingredients on your labels, or when you sell then??

You bet I do. I do not use it in all my recipes but I list it if I do.

Bruce

 

[Ollieblue]

...

 

[Deb]

so do you all add sugar to your ingredients on your labels, or when you sell then??

Of course. Salt and silk too. Anything that goes in there.

 

[topcat]

I use 1 to 2 tablespoons raw sugar for 2lb oil weight. I reserve 1/4 cup of my water amount and heat to just warm, add the sugar and stir to dissolve in well. I then SB this into my oils well before adding the lye water. No toffee, no bits, it works very well for me. I don't have to worry about adding anything at light trace especially if I have a fast moving recipe or fo. HTH.

Tanya

 

[moana]

i've been splitting my water in half, having half with the lye, half with sugar and salt and adding them at hte last moment when the lye cools down. It seems to stop the sugar from caramelising and turning the water yellow.

Deb, how much salt? Thank you.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Am I the only one who isn't fussed for sugar? I tried it and yes it was more bubbly but at the expense of lovely creamy lather, I don't think I will be trying that again!

I tried it once and couldn't see much difference so haven't bothered again, although it might be a good addition to pure olive oil soap. :wink:

 

[Deb]

one teaspoon per pound of oil salt, one tablespoon of sugar, one tuft of silk ;-)