Teach Soap

Hello, soapers!

Here's an odd question for you :
Will Vanilla Stabilizer help soaps with honey stay lighter in color? I really like the HP and OP soaps. But the color change with the sugars in the honey is not nearly as attractive. Wondered if the Vanilla Stabilizer would help.

No, I can't take the honey out of the recipe. I am a beekeeper by trade, and the soap is a side line business to the honey and candles. That's my niche. All my soaps have beeswax and honey in them.

Thanks!
[color=#BF8HoneyLady000][/color]

Nope, vanilla stabilizer will not work since it's the sugars in the honey that turns the soap brown & not vanillin. Vanilla stabilizers only work with fo's that have vanillin in it.

You could try lightening your oils by adding a bit of TD to them before mixing your lye solution into it.

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Genny

What color are your soaps turning? I make CP soap and I find the natural golden-brown color of my honey soaps to be quite lovely and they definatley bring honey to mind. I use yellow beeswax instead of white b/c I like that color.

Personally I don't like to fight discoloration. I'd rather work with it. You may try some gold mica to give the natural color a bit of sparkle.

I tried a recipe with beeswax and honey. I stirred it up, and put 1/2 in molds, and heated the rest for CPOP. The un-heated is a soft beige. The rest I put in the oven turned dark nutmeg brown. From the sugars in the honey, I guess. I like the color, but I don't want all my soaps dark. I really like the immediacy of HP soaps, but the color change may be an issue. (Since I'm a beekeeper, all my soaps [will] have honey and beeswax in them.) Also, since beeswax solidifies at cooler temps, I have to soap a bit warm ... and that will make the honey caramelize and darken, too. It looks like it will be a specific, and tricky balance.

I really appreciate all the feedback !

HoneyLady