bugtussle Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Used BCN stabilizer for years then found WSPs was better. WSPs has increased in price so much, I can no longer afford it. What other vanilla stabilizer works well for CP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 I've only used BCN's. I wished they sold theirs by the lb instead of by the half lb. Will check out WSPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 $34.95 a lb at WSP! Wow! that is expensive! Hopefully someone here knows another source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 BCN's is the only stabilizer I will use. I personally have tried WSP's, NG's, and one other but can't remember which one, and have found that in the long run, BCN's is so much better than all 3 of the others. My pink sugar will stay pink for about 9 months to a year before starting to turn using BCN's, where as with all 3 of the others it would start to turn anywhere from a few weeks to 4 months in. For me, that is not long enough. I won't use anyone's but BCN's. I wonder when BCN started only selling it by the half lb? I always got it by the lb until they started selling by the gallon also, and now get it by the gallon from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 I guess I should get the gal size but not sure I need all that. I go through maybe 2 lbs a yr so far so a gallon would last me for 3-4 yrs. Will VS last that long? Anyone know what the shelf life is for VS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 I go through it fairly quick, because I put it in every batch. Vanilla isn't the only thing that will turn a soap brown or discolor, and the VS helps those as well. Not sure what the shelf life is, but I would assume it's like FO and will last a very long time if stored properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted November 26, 2016 Author Share Posted November 26, 2016 The VS from Bcn does not last over 6 months, that's how we ended up with 2 batches of black soap. That's why I am looking for something cheaper than WSP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 5 hours ago, bugtussle said: The VS from Bcn does not last over 6 months, that's how we ended up with 2 batches of black soap. That's why I am looking for something cheaper than WSP. It does in my applications. I've never had a soap turn in less than 9 months with BCN's. Some soaps never turn after using it in my soaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 The BCN VS liquid went bad before we used it. We didn't realize it and soap turned black as soon as it was unmolded and exposed to air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 I have to agree with JL on how well the BCN version works. The soap batches I put it in keep them from discoloring and so far they have stayed that way even months after. I use about 1tbs per oz of FO even thou it says to use the same amount as the FO about half that amount is all I need for it to work. As I mentioned before I wish they carried 1 lb bottles because I don't really need a whole gallon. I only use it on those fragrances that discolor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 Hubby just checked our VS BCN that quit working and it was over 1 year old. You can tell because the strong smell goes away. I guess that's what we get for buying the gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 I use up a gallon in about 4-5 months because as I said, I use it in almost every batch, because it's not just vanilla that will turn a soap, and the VS helps with other culprits as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted November 28, 2016 Author Share Posted November 28, 2016 I agree. If you can use up a gallon in 6 months, you should be fine. I also use it in some patchoulis, etc. I just don't like dark soap. Thks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Does the BCN one morph the fragrance? Others I tried messed with the fragrance. The color doesn't bother me so long as the fragrance is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Just now, TallTayl said: Does the BCN one morph the fragrance? Others I tried messed with the fragrance. The color doesn't bother me so long as the fragrance is true. Initially yes, but it fades, and the scent is fine after saponification. I've never noticed a morph in the scent due to the VS... Some of my soaps before using the VS vs. after smell exactly the same even though they look different using everything else the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted November 28, 2016 Author Share Posted November 28, 2016 Just checked and BCN does sell the VS in 1 #. Guess mine just got too old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Just now, bugtussle said: Just checked and BCN does sell the VS in 1 #. Guess mine just got too old. That's what I thought. I always bought in 1lb, until my production got bigger and I went to the gallon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 Well that's good. Last 2 times I bought VS from BCN they only showed they had the 8oz bottles. I never noticed any scent morphing using it. Have not had any trouble in that dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Bumping this. I finally got to testing the BCN stabilizer with several of my notable discoloring fragrances in CP. (my Pink Sugar, Fragrance Labs Egyptian Dragon, my Egyptian Dragon, my Sweet Amber, my Dragons Blood and Daystar ultimate vanilla). I only used it at 25% of the FO, so waiting to see how it fares. I can already see that my Amber will need much more stabilizer! -added the stabilizer directly to the fragrance and mixed before adding to the soap. Some FO would not mix completely with it, so am interested to see if they all look "right". -The scents seemed to disappear for a day or two, but have recovered now. -The top exposed to the air in the mold did discolor on all of them, but the rest of each bar seems to be holding in most of the scent samples. -some fragrances yellow the soap base quite a bit, and have stayed yellow. Not a deal breaker. will post photos when I get to the shop where the easy camera is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I don't bother to mix the VS directly in the FO. I just pour it right into the soap batter before I add my lye. I use about 50% VS to FO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) I'm rogue. I add it directly to my oils, and I don't weigh it out, I just squeeze it right in. I would say it's probably about 1.5 oz for a 3lb batch. My pink sugar doesn't start turning brown for about 9 months to a year. I've not had any others discolor, and I use it in every batch whether it has vanilla in it or not, because IME vanillin is not the only thing that will discolor a soap that the stabilizer helps to not discolor. Edited February 23, 2017 by Jcandleattic added info 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonstar Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 (edited) What about lotions or scrubs do you need a VS ? Edited February 23, 2017 by Moonstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jcandleattic Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 9 minutes ago, Moonstar said: What about lotions or scrubs do you need a VS ? There are special stabilizers made just for lotions, however I've never used one, and I've never had any of my lotions discolor, but I have heard of other lotion makers say theirs discolors without a stabilizer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonstar Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Jcandleattic said: There are special stabilizers made just for lotions, however I've never used one, and I've never had any of my lotions discolor, but I have heard of other lotion makers say theirs discolors without a stabilizer. Thank you ! Im wondering if the difference in the outcome varies by made from scratch( as you do) or using a base ? Ive tried a few bases from WSP and decided I like the Goat Milk Lotion best. Although Ive been wanting to try Essentials By Catalina A+C lotion ( I think its called) and have heard Aquatech has a few good ones too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Tested the stabilizer in six of my known discoloring fragrances. Right away any surface exposed to air while in the mold darkened almost immediately. here is what they look like a couple of weeks later. These two pictures were taken almost a week ago and are even darker now.The surface darkening crept around all sides and they even are darkening in the middle. I would try again with more but I'm not very hopeful this will work with my fragrances and soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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