Thread: Trouble with transparent soaps

Originally Posted by eflatminor

But if you're right and it's just a dye, then why would lathering results be do dramatically different...and consistently so?

I think you missed my point. Clear soaps are glycerin based soaps. These are not the same as fat based soaps. The opaque soaps you mentioned are all fat based, afaik (I checked DR Harris, but I'm pretty sure the others also are)
Glycerin is a natural component of soaps, but companies tend to separate it out from higher quality soaps and use it on its own. It's sort of like utilizing a by-product. In short, glycerin soaps are not the same beast as regular fat based soaps.

Theseus only pointed out that the difference between clear and opaque glycerin soaps are dye. The difference between an opaque glycerin soap and an opaque fat based soap are much larger.

For a quick rundown on the differences, check out this article on soap making methods, especially the Cold Process Soap and the Melt and Pour Soap articles.

I'll also add that thebigspendur makes an exellent point.

Best of luck.