Teach Soap

Has anyone used Bulk Apothecary? Their prices are quite good and they're local so I didn't have to pay for shipping. I had a lot of requests for lotion this christmas. I bought 7lbs shea, like, 2 lbs cocoa and a variety of scents and Argan and Meadowfoam. Great for basic mixes since I'm still learning. However...

The 7lbs of shea was in a plastic bucket and I don't know how warm it was in their warehouse but it was slushy and grainy. The cocoa butter had been MELTED and poured into plastic jars. I couldn't get the mango butter open for ages. It was slushy too, a lot of the solids had risen to the top it seems like.

I attached the pictures. I don't know if I'm making a big deal about it, like if I'm looking for something wrong. My first order I ever made was through Brambleberry, which was very nicely packaged but the shipping was astronomical since it's across the country.

And now I'm just nervous that the collection of fragrance oils I purchased are watered down maybe. The scents are strong but they seem less oily than my Rosehip Jasmin FO.

I just don't trust ordering off of Amazon. I'm scared that I've wasted a lot of money on this. Sorry for the panicky post but any guidance from more experienced people would help out. I like making these for my family and friends. Maybe I'll move into the craft show circuit. I'm definitely a hobbyist, but that doesn't mean I want inferior raw materials.

Take care everyone and thank you in advance!

Can I temper these into bars to use for batches later?
Shea Butter


Cocoa Butter (Deodorized but I can still smell chocolate and I have no clue if it's safe to heat it in hot water to melt the butters. It doesn't feel abrasive and dry. I can feel the moisture in there)

I'm no expert honey, but that stuff looks really weird and I'm glad I saw this thread. I was going to be ordering butters from them too but that photo has certainly changed my minds. Might wanna try WPS wholesalesuppliesplus.com. Hey maybe you can heat and whip them to bring them back to the right consistency!! Just a guess from a total newbie.

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“SOAP AND WATER AND COMMON SENSE ARE THE BEST DISINFECTANTS.”

When butters melt then solidify they can become grainy. Cocoa butter can get what is called chocolate bloom. It's harmless.
Fragrance oils are made with lots of different ingredients and the formulas are proprietary.
Whether one is more "oily" then another should not make a difference.
I find Bulk Apothecary a good supplier. I have not had any problems with them nor with any of their ingredients.

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