bathandsoap

Can you use tea in scrubs and/or soaps? Or will it color your skin? I was interested in using Green Tea, Chai Tea, or White Tea. Has anyone done this?

Thank you shutterbug for the response. I didn't even think about the sugar dissolving.

I am all about experimenting lately and making new things, I have read though and searched as much as possible, but still a few questions...Okay, when making a sugar scrub, if I am using a mixer to whip up the scrub so thats its fluffy, when do I add the sugar? I have made some with just mixing everything together at once, but can I put the sugar in and still mix it with the mixer, or should I just stir in the sugar? (If that makes sense)

I too think that getting a base and making it your own is considered handmade, IMO. Thanks for everyone's opinions, it makes me feel a lot better about my soaping.

I came across this page where this person was bashing melt and pour soap, but why? I understand how hard and long the process is of cp and hp soap making. I know having toddlers myself, I couldn't work with the lye at this point in my apartment. But, making melt and pour can be really creative and time consuming. Anyhow this is what was wrote, I was just curious as to what others think... Many popular bath and body chain stores claim their soap is ;handmade; when what they are really selling is a pre-made, packaged glycerin or milled soap base (aka 'melt-and-pour soap') that is melted on a stove top or in the microwave, poured into molds, then sold as real handmade soap. It is not. Some soap bases even add in a little goat's milk, olive oil, or shea butter to make the soap appear more attractive. Still, it's not real handmade soap. In fact, it's not even soap--it's a detergent. How about liquid body washes and shampoos? Yes, they're detergents, too. While containing some glycerin (a moisturizing by-product of real soap), a look at the ingredient list of these formulas reveals that these products are filled with synthetic moisturizers, foaming agents, and thickeners.Real soap doesn't need synthetics. Real soap is fresh and nourishing to your skin. (edited name) handmade soaps are the real deal. We make soap using the cold process method; from scratch, using a recipe of quality oils and butters. Now back to the ingredients... Check out this comparison of (edited name)handmade soap ingredients and what you get in those packaged soap bases. (edited name) Soap Coconut Oil-moisturizing; creates rich, fluffy lather Olive Oil-attracts external moisture to skin; high in vitamin E Palm Oil-conditions the skin; produces a stable lather Sweet Almond Oil-moisturizing; high in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E Shea Butter-superior moisturizing, protects skin from moisture lossGlycerin-naturally occurring by-product of real soap; moisturizing Packaged Soap Base Glycerin-naturally occurring by-product of real soap; chemically removed to make packaged soap base; moisturizing Sodium Stearate-derived from stearic acid (see below); detergent; can remove natural oils from the skin Sorbitol-derived from synthetic alcohol; used to thicken the soap base Propylene Glycol-derived from natural gas; synthetic moisturizer; can irritate sensitive skin Sodium Laureth Sulphate-detergent; makes the soap foam; can be drying to the skin Stearic Acid-wax-like fatty acid; used to make the soap base harder Sodium Chloride-i.e. salt; used to thicken the soap base; can dry and irritate the skin Too often the word "handmade" is used as a buzz word, a gimmick, to fool you into believing that the soap is pure, fresh, and better. Real handmade soap is not a gimmick. It's the real deal. Know what you're getting before you buy. Your skin can tell the difference!

Thank you, I will check with them and see.

Hello, I am starting to play with melt and pour soap bases, but am in search of a good soap mold. I have searched the boards and seen many, my question is at emistycreek.com they have a 16 bar mold and a loaf, they say they can be used for cp and hp soap. Can these molds also be used for a large batch of melt and pour? Thank you.