Teach Soap

I was at a beauty supply store today and bought some 100% cocoa butter sticks. I've read that the cocoa butter smell makes it through and that doesn't make it through the process....if I use it at 10% the cocoa butter scent shouldn't make it through, right?

Also, normally I use lard or GV Shortening in my batches, but since I stumbled across theses sticks, I thought I'd try a batch without using animal fats. I'm going to use OO, PKO, CO, shea butter, cocoa butter, castor...I punched in some numbers on soapcalc and they are close to my usual recipes...and the sat/unsat ratio is the same. Anything wrong with it that I'm not seeing?

You won't get much cocoa butter smell at 10%.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

If your numbers are right then nothing is wrong with it! So go for it! It is generally recommended that you do not use more than 15% cocoa butter in your recipes, but as little as 3% is quite noticeable, as far as the properties shinning through. I actually add some to almost every one of my recipes, and really like it. So much luck with your experimenting!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I didn't think I'd get much scent, or none, at 10%...just wanted to get another opinion! (and not that it stinks, lol)

Yes, it's definitely a new experiment for me! I want to try to make a "balanced" bar and formulating this feels a little strange without the lard!

Thank you!!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

yes, ljm1180...I think the GV shortening soaps feel like the lard soaps...they feel great! I haven't used shea butter either, so this is going to be interesting!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

oooh...never thought of that-I'm going to try that with the shea butter!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

I made my first batch of soap in 4 years with cocoa butter and I used 14% came out nice, harder than my usually bars, super fated at 7% and it was hard and cured in two weeks, will still let it cure for another 2 to 3 before selling, but I will use it again in my soaps.

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

ljm1180...must be similar to a lotion bar then? because I think they're greasy at first but then they soak in...I love lotion bars!

selena- glad you had great results! the hardness was one of my main concerns too, so this is great to hear! thanks!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!