asr Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 Hello All! I made this soap last July. It looked fine until recently and it developed what looks like soda ash, but I don't think that is it. It does have a high % of butters (15% shea and 15% cocoa), so thinking that could be it (butter bloom?) But what is confusing me is I have a dozen other batches with the same exact recipe that don't have this issue. Any help would be appreciated! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted January 25, 2022 Share Posted January 25, 2022 With heavy stearic ingredients like Shea and cocoa butter I find less is more. Hard to tell, but it looks like stearic spots. Another phenomenon I saw with high cocoa butter is a hazy “bloom”. I dropped the % of those in my formula and the problems disappeared. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 I can wipe it off, almost like a soda ash, but I am thinking it is the bloom. I have a few test bars curing with less % or no cocoa butter. I like the feel it adds to the soap, but I don't want this happening months later! Thanks TallTayl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 Pretty sure it’s cocoa butter. If you have seen this on chocolate bars, similar thing. You can make great soap without it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 I have been experimenting with cutting the amount down. I liked it to add to the bar hardness, but didn't like the bloom! To me this is also a perfect example of why people need to test, test, test, and then wait a long time before they even think of selling. This showed up 6 months later. I would hate to think if I had sold it to someone! (Not sure I will ever sell soap myself but just a perfect example of how it takes years to master your craft!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 You substitute plain soy wax for cocoa butter! I use it in soap for hardness and it gives great lather. Buy some 415 wax and start at 15 per cent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted March 25, 2022 Author Share Posted March 25, 2022 Thank you! I am going to try that for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightLight Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 You can use sodium lactate for bar hardness as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted March 26, 2022 Author Share Posted March 26, 2022 Thank you! I do use sodium lactate to help me unmold faster. Though I can’t say it makes a difference. I really love a lot of olive oil in my recipes (seems to work well for my very sensitive skin) and just takes forever to harden in the mold! I have been using 1 tsp per lb of oils. Do you think more would be ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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