One of my customers asked me why I chose the soap making oils I use to make my soaps. She made me stop and think of all the recipes I formulated, and all the different oils I tried before I perfected my soap making formula. How did I choose my soap making oils? Why did I choose them? Each oil has a purpose, a reason for being included.
Olive Oil
I love olive oil in my soap. It’s a conditioning oil and it’s great for sensitive skin. It’s one of the relatively inexpensive soap making oils, and it’s easily accessible. The down side to olive oil is that it doesn’t bubble very well on it’s own. A soap that’s made with 100% olive oil will be a very low lather soap. You don’t need bubbles to get clean, but it seems the general public likes lots of bubbles in a soap. So I add some coconut oil….
Coconut Oil
A soap made with coconut oil makes lots of bubbles and a fluffy lather. So why not make soap with 100% coconut oil? Well, coconut oil can be a drying oil when used alone in a bar of soap. I’d need to increase the super fat in my soap to compensate. And I don’t want to do that.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a very controversial oil. Some soap makers don’t use it at all. Orangutans are losing their homes with the deforestation of palm trees. I buy sustainable palm oil and I’ve cut back on the amount of palm oil I use. But I haven’t been able to find another oil that gives me the conditioning qualities and gives the bar the hardness I want for my customers. So there is still a small amount of palm oil in Alegna Soap®
Shea Butter
Any butter is what I believe makes a real difference in a bar of soap. I happen to like shea butter because it adds conditioning emollients to the soap and is great for dry skin. It seems to stabilize the lather, making the bar silky.
I was a hobbyist soap maker for 10 years before I started selling soap, and I had a lot of time to play around with different oils. I’m grateful for that time to play, and all the flops and successes I had. I’m grateful for my family and friends who tried some God-awful soaps, and some really amazing ones too.
What are you grateful for this week?
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
This is fascinating! I’ve always wondered how you talented soap makers achieve natural bubbles and superior moisture. I especially love hearing the progression of your process! Thank you for sharing <3
Thank you Kimberlee for taking the time to respond! I forget sometimes how interesting the process is, it’s good to be reminded.
I love shea butter, I find it so moisturizing. Thanks for the information.
I love Shea butter too Sharon, and I really thing adding a butter to the soap makes a difference. I can notice it in a soap. Thanks for sharing!