Yet another soap recipe

[Zeroshin]

Hello!

I'll be blunt :

10% sweet almond oil
5% avocado oil
5% castor oil
20% coconut oil
5% jojoba oil
25% neem oil
30% olive oil

I'll be using about 4.30 ounces of lye to 10.75 fluid ounces of double/triple brewed coffee.

I'll also be making a batch of about 32 ounces (2 pounds / 907 grams), giving me what should look like 8 bars of 4 ounces (0.25 pounds / ~113 grams).

My goal is to have a mild superfatted soap bar that would help me and my sister's mild skin problems (we have light eczema among other things and a tendency to have a bit of a dry skin). I usually lather my soap bars in a puffed up shower ball, hence the coconut oil to help up with that.


What do you guys think? Does it seem fine?


p.s. I never made soap before, and neither did my sister. But I have studied the subject intensively (read, among other things, the whole "The Soapmaker's Companion"). I am just a very caution person, that is why I am asking for you guys opinion.

 

[Shannon_m]

I've never used Neem oil, but from what I hear it has a very potent smell and your recipe seems (to me) to call for a whole lot of it... anyone else with Neem experience want to chime in?

 

[Zeroshin]

It smells very much like peanuts with a hint of garlic flower.
Most websites (and in the book) they say that between 5 to 30% is alright.

Also, the coffee liquid base is in part to "hide" that smell (even though I find it pleasing).

 

[Parke Co. Grapevine]

Hello Jeroshin, and welcome. I am new on here too, but have been making soap for a few years. (Not vegan soaps, though - guess my hubby and I are sorta hicks. We like tallow soap, and find it very mild. lol)

You recipe sounds very mild and moisturizing, to me. I am not familiar with Neem oil, have never used that one, or Avocado oil. But from the knowledge I have with the other oils, I would expect this soap to be very soft coming out of the mold. That is not a bad thing, just be prepared to leave it in the mold for 2 or 3 days, even freeze it for a day in order to get it to come out clean. Give it at least 6 weeks to dry/cure, and it will harden up. The 20% Coconut will give good bubbly lather. 5-8% Castor will add 'whipped creme' and stability.

Jojoba oil/wax is *wonderful* and pricey (IMO) and at 5% you might find the fresh soap feels waxy-sticky, even after 4 weeks. I usually use -2% Jojoba and that is enough to add great moisturizing qualities without slowing the curing time and without adding stickiness. I made one batch of olive-infused Calendula soap with 3% Jojoba, took a long time to harden up. But, it is the best thing I have ever used on patches of dry, cracking skin on my heels, elbows, etc.

Now, I am sure there are many other soapers on here that can give better, more expert feedback than I can. Hope you have a great soap adventure!

 

[melstan775]

The only thing I know about neem oil is it is toxic to some animals, including rabbits. It will kill rabbits I believe. Might try tea tree oil if you're looking for an antiseptic. although, frankly, I have some serious skin issues and what has worked best for me is plain palm, olive and shea. The less additives the better usually, for dry skin. the idea is to be gentle with it, though it looks like you have some nice oils there. I'm new too, just giving my opinion.

 

[Zeroshin]

Thank you all for your replies.

@Parke, you really think that my soap will be too soft? Neem oil traces and hardens a soap faster according to what I read. Also, I am not sure, but wouldn't it be because of the olive oil that your soap would be too soft? I think I read somewhere that olive oil softens soap...

I would like an opinion from someone who used Neem oil before, just to be sure.

@Melstan : Yes, I read about it being toxic to most domestic animals, including cats. But it is safely tucked where mine can't reach it
I get what you mean by "less is more". I will try to diminish my recipe to a bare minimum if I feel that after this batch the soap isn't as great as I thought it would be.

 

[Badger]

Welcome to the forum, I am also pretty new to soap making, and I think that staying to a relatively small batch is a good idea, but I also think that using less different oils in your first batch would be a wise decision. I am using four oils in most of mine and I am generally good about keeping track of them all, but adding more oils would get confusing and it would also mean if you had any problems with things it would be harder to track down which oil might be the culprit. I hope that this makes some sense. Good luck with your first soap!