Thread: Soap Making Escapades

Originally Posted by Bobbo

How could I forget about little old you?

It looks like there will be two soaps coming out for the first round of testing and all the guys that have bought Colleens sopas from me and anyone else interested will get the samples (that includes you Ilija)

With the 2-3 tubes of Williams mint, a sample of Tryphon and testing your goodies, I think it´s official... I have NS/CPD (*)

(*) New Soap/Cream Probation Disorder

I'd like to give it a try as well.

Yes this was how i tested if the soap was ready, and it really does have a kick if it isn't ready yet. I was worried that i would wake up with blisters on my hands so i was very careful to make sure there was just the soapy taste and nothing else.
The Cavendish Black certainly does work wonders, i think i prefer it to the Bay Rum that i was initially looking at!
Nick

Ok, so the results on the shaving soap recipe are out.
In the end I used the recipe as I wrote earlier and superfatted to 8.5% with olive oil. I used Sandalwood (Not genuine, amyris balsamifera) and Cedarwood essential oils.
For a first effort at a shave soap i am very happy with it. It is very very slick and moisturises very well too. Unfortunately i think that as discussed before, the coconut oil caused the main problem in this recipe, which was too large bubbles that pop too soon. It wasn't horrendous but the lather could have done with a bit more longevity.
I think i maybe made a mistake with the essential oils somehow, as the aroma is very faint, maybe they reacted somehow, or maybe i didn't put enough in.
I love the hemp oil. It does make the soap smell quite strongly of it though.
So, now if only i can adjust this to get the lather creamier with long lasting small bubbles.

The batch I made last week is better but is still not perfect. I've got to be honest, Colleens soap still has the edge, although I am not that far away now and know where I can make big improvements. I have reformulated again to make the lather even creamier.

What I do like about my soaps so far though is they are very moisturising, even (dare I say it) compared to Colleens they feel very good.

I managed to get some 100% palm oil from a catering suppliers so am pleased about this as it is cheap compared with getting it posted to me from a soap ingredient supplier. My order has been tagged on to a delivery to a local restaurant so can pick it up from there tonight.

Will put my newly formulated batch on tonight.

Will update you as always in a few days time.

Originally Posted by Bobbo

How could I forget about little old you?

It looks like there will be two soaps coming out for the first round of testing and all the guys that have bought Colleens sopas from me and anyone else interested will get the samples (that includes you Ilija)

Can't wait. I know my G/F says I have too much saving soap/cream, but I just keep saying that you can't have to much Hope all goes well with them.

Steven

OK, quick update.

I've tried two more batches since the last updates. Some with Stearic acid in (common in shaving creams), some with Cocoa butter in and various other stuff. I'm getting a good feel for what works now and what doesn't.

The big bubbles I was getting before have dissapeard and I have a nice silky foam rather than bubbles and I think I am going back to the shea butter as that makes the silk thicker and even creamier.

I've decided to drop the stearic acid as it makes production difficult as it traces immediately.

The fragrances I have tried recently are really nice and are improving so I am pleased with this.

I put a batch of bay rum on last night with my new soap formulation. My girlfriend said it smelled lovely and I agree. Can't really go wrong with this scent.

Will get the samples out next weekend when I am back from Brussels (meeting Al Gore at a biofuels conference I am speaking at ).

Catch you later folks.

Rob

Hi Gents,

Good news.

Its taken me 6 months or so to get it sorted but I finally have a product worthy of being tested.

I have two to be tested. I think you are going to love one but won't let on which I prefer.

Soap One

A bay rum fragranced shaving soap with a lovely creamy lather although it is caramel in colour due to the bay essential oils (I do not use titanium dioxide whiteners in my soap). I'm not sure if that will put people off but bear this in mind as other fragrances will result in a white soap.

Soap Two

A custom fragranced soap scented with my own blend of essential oils (I only use essential oils, not fragrance oils).

I will send these out to anyone who sends me their postage address. I have a few addresses already so wil get them out as soon as I can find some small sealable bags to wrap them in.

I would like to know the following:

Soap Base: Does the soap form a nice creamy stable lather?
Fragrance: Is the fragrance to your liking, is it too strong or too weak?
The shave: Did the soap soften your beard well and did the razor slip easily?
After effect: How does your face feel after the shave, moisturised?
Others: any other stuff you want to tell me.

One last thing. Soap two has cocoa butter in it so please avoid it if chocolate gives you migrains etc. No animal products are used in my soaps so they are OK for veggies and people with religious concerns.

Cheers Fella's, enjoy your weekends

Rob

That's great news Rob. I assume you have my address handy, if not, drop me a PM. I would have zero issues with a brownish soap. Actually that would distinguish the product from the rest of the stuff on the market. Looking forward to giving them a whirl.

Hi Rob
Congratulations!!! I hope your soap gets rave reviews.
Now you can start working on a cream soap.
Jean