Greek Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 i've been experimenting with sugar cubes which i absolutely love, but i cant get mine the way i like them. (soft so they could break off) for example all i use is sugar (white, pure cane) a MP base, castile liquid soap and almond oil. i add more sugar than there is base, kind of an over saturation point, yet my cubes are always hard so the sugar soap doesn't lather unless you break the cube in half, which is fine but when the soap is too hard you can't really do that. Anyone can suggest how to make my cubes soft? I've tried putting them in a ziplock back right after i pop them out the mold so they could retain moisture, but they still harden so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puddin1970 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I have used a similar recipe. At first mine got hard also - then someone told me that I was heating my soap up too much. Try not heating your soap for so long. That helped with mine. They are still not soft - soft but they are not rock hard anymore. Does that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greek Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 yes it makes sense, but i don't think i heat mine too hot either, as soon as the soap is melted i remove it from the double boiler and continuously stir the remaining small blocks till it melts. i'll cover my melting soap to help retain moisture see if that'll help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I use shea and cocoa butter in mine and they are nice and creamy. I will dig up the recipe if you are intersted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunkie68 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Coco, I don't know about the original poster, but I'd love to see the recipe if you don't mind sharing. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 60g BTMS50g Shea Butter50g Cocoa Butter50g MP10g Carrier oil of choiceApprox 500g Sugar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeriM Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 not to sound stupid but what is BTMS.... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Conditioning emulsifier. It gives a nicer feel, though you could also use ewax nf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greek Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 Thanks Coco, I made some this weekend and added honey to my original recipe and avocado oil instead of almond. My cubes are still soft, but I wonder how long they will stay that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singleyellowrose Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 While it sounds nice, I think the ingredient INCI would be a long one if you are planning on selling these at some point. I have been working on a similar one, however, I would like to add some SLSa or other foaming agent when I get it where I like it. I have found out that I used too much sugar in my previous versions. I am now working on version 4.:rolleyes2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singleyellowrose Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 BTMS (BehenTrimonium MethoSulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol) Here's some more info and usage on it.http://www.southernsoapers.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=217 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 While it sounds nice, I think the ingredient INCI would be a long one if you are planning on selling these at some point. I have been working on a similar one, however, I would like to add some SLSa or other foaming agent when I get it where I like it. I have found out that I used too much sugar in my previous versions. I am now working on version 4.:rolleyes2I couldn't agree more and I've been thinking the same thing. I have recently been playing with my foaming scrub recipe to see if I can get a consistency for cubes without the MP. Greek, I would be very concerned about that honey growing nasties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greek Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 i definitely understand. I was just playing around with it to get the consistency i liked. I tend to work like that, get it to where i want it and then tweak it a little bit to really get it going. btw what is INCI, because i do plan on giving some away in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greek Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 While it sounds nice, I think the ingredient INCI would be a long one if you are planning on selling these at some point. I have been working on a similar one, however, I would like to add some SLSa or other foaming agent when I get it where I like it. I have found out that I used too much sugar in my previous versions. I am now working on version 4.:rolleyes2i have seen some cubes on etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_3&listing_id=22668855&ga_search_query=sugar+cubes&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=&min=&max=&order=if you take a look at the ingredients it looks like just sugar, glycerine (shave soap) and oils, maybe a preservative here and there. i'm guessing that's what the vit E oil and grapeseed extract are for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singleyellowrose Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Ingredients: Sucrose, Glycerine Soap [Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis guinnesis (Palm Oil), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctoruis (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glycerine, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Sorbitan oleate, Soy bean protein], Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (OrganicSweet Almond) Oil, Bolded are INCI names of ingredients.Plus IMHO when you list the INCI you can't really do it correctly when you don't know the %s of each of the ingredients in the soap. Since you have to list the ingredients from highest % to lowest, how do you know where your other ingredients "fit" in there.ETA: Vit E & Grapeseed extract are NOT preservatives. They do help extend the life of oils, but in no way preserve them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloworm Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 i have seen some cubes on etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_3&listing_id=22668855&ga_search_query=sugar+cubes&ga_search_type=tag_title&ga_page=&min=&max=&order=if you take a look at the ingredients it looks like just sugar, glycerine (shave soap) and oils, maybe a preservative here and there. i'm guessing that's what the vit E oil and grapeseed extract are for.These particular cubes have no preservatives. She advertises as preservative free, and mentions they may go bad if moisture is introduced to the jar. Suggests just taking one cube to the bath with you.I had never seen these before. Quite a neat idea.Glo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Coco,Thanks I was wondering what I could replace BTMS with and I have ewax so that's perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineSundries Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I just made these the other night and I think I have stumbled on to something here... they are firm but not hard hard, ya know?? I do think I need to decrease the sugar a bit because they are kinda crumbly when I cut them... my question is how are you packaging these? I've seen jars and bags out there on the www but I'm not sure what sells well... I would think the cubes would hold up better in a jar - I've even seen these "wrapped" then put into a jar... maybe to keep moisture in or out??? I don't know... all I know is I'm excited and I can't decide!! LOL TIA for any input...Life & Light!Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soychic Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I want to make the sugar cubes too!!!I just saw some on another site and I think that is a great idea!!I would rather take a cube into the shower than bring my scrub jar in the shower.I heard that you don't want one with alot of oils because your tub will need washed.So, some people use m&p soap and emulsifier wax.I am researching.I am excited too.Hahahaha, this thread was march 2009 and made a come back:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soychic Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 BTW, (by the way), I like the jar idea instead of putting them in a bag.:smiley2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candlemama Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 I just made these yesterday following Coco's recipe -- and they're awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soychic Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 I just made my 2nd batch of sugar scrub cubes using Coco's recipe since the first one was such a hit!! Thanks Coco:)))))))I am going to package them in 8oz plastic hex jars and offer refill bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soychic Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The first batch I used Jojoba Oil because that was what I had on hand, but for the second batch, I used Sweet Almond Oil and it really made a big difference. It seems to glide and spread better. Perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in KY Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 60g BTMS50g Shea Butter50g Cocoa Butter50g MP10g Carrier oil of choiceApprox 500g SugarDon't have BTMS, what does it do for this recipe? Just want to make for myself so is there something else I might have that is similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annie123 Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 I just made 3 batches this morning. My sugar cubes do not get hard I think it could be the castille soap...I have a recipe for soap frosting that calls for the liquid castille soap to harden the MP.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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