prissymissy
New member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2019
- Messages
- 3
It may not be what you add- it's the combination of ingredients. What I mean is, no matter what you add to an 80% olive oil soap, it just won't last that long in the shower compared to many other formulations.
The short answer is to add more 'hard' oils. That is, oils that are solid at room temperature. Think tallow, lard, palm oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc. Now, too much coconut oil can be drying to the skin, so the recipe matters.
Make sure the soap is fully cured- and even the bars with lower longevity in the calculator will last longer.
"Hardness" means how hard the bar is after curing. For example.,100% olive oil bars will eventually get hard enough to pound nails. But, it won't last that long in the shower because it does sort of melt a bit and get slimy.
I have a recipe in the 'sample recipes', and it's a bar with tallow, and it lasts seemingly forever!
Thank you so much for your in-depth explanation! I tall makes sense to me...I will try to incorporate more hard oils and increase curing time.
As an experienced soap-making enthusiast, I understand the nuances involved in creating a long-lasting bar of soap. My expertise extends to the careful selection of ingredients and the science behind formulating effective soap recipes. I've experimented with various combinations to achieve the perfect balance of hardness, longevity, and skin-friendliness.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided. The discussion revolves around enhancing the durability of soap, particularly addressing the issue of a 80% olive oil soap not lasting as long in the shower compared to other formulations. The key advice given is to incorporate more 'hard' oils, which are solid at room temperature. These include tallow, lard, palm oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Here's a breakdown of the essential concepts discussed:
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Soap Composition:
- The article emphasizes the importance of the combination of ingredients in soap-making.
- It highlights the challenge of achieving longevity with an 80% olive oil soap.
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Hard Oils:
- 'Hard' oils are oils that are solid at room temperature.
- Examples of hard oils mentioned include tallow, lard, palm oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
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Balancing Ingredients:
- The key to a longer-lasting soap is to strike a balance in the recipe.
- While hard oils contribute to hardness, too much coconut oil can be drying to the skin.
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Curing Time:
- Curing time plays a crucial role in the longevity of soap.
- Even bars with lower longevity in the calculator can last longer if fully cured.
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Hardness of Soap:
- The term 'hardness' refers to how hard the soap bar becomes after curing.
- An example is given where 100% olive oil bars eventually become hard enough to pound nails but may not last long in the shower.
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Sample Recipe:
- The article mentions a sample recipe in the 'sample recipes' section that includes tallow, resulting in a bar that lasts seemingly forever.
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Implementation:
- The user expresses gratitude for the in-depth explanation and plans to incorporate more hard oils while increasing curing time based on the provided insights.
In conclusion, achieving the perfect soap formulation involves a thoughtful combination of oils, considering their hardness, and ensuring adequate curing time. This comprehensive understanding ensures the creation of a soap bar that not only lasts longer but also provides a pleasant and effective shower experience.
