Teach Soap

I've made some CP soap and plan on giving it as Christmas gifts. I've sort of decided last minute (as in this week) thoat I'd like to make some lotion bars and/or bath fizzes. Problem is I don't have the steric acid or citric acid or perservatives. I thought I've seen it mentioned on the forum that you can get either of these somewhat locally. Can anyone recommend someplace?!?! Also a possible natural perservative, isn't Vit E a natural perservative? I've read grapeseed oil is. Where could I possibly find that? Health Food store?



TIA

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Debbie

Lotion bars or bath fizzies don't have water, so you wouldn't need a preservative. Citric acid is a Ph adjustor for bath & body products, but it's needed for bath fizzes for the chemical reaction. Vit. E (an anti-oxidant) or grapefruit seed extract (could be adulterated with Trichlosan which is a preservative, but a harsh one) are not preservatives. Stearic acid is normally used in regular lotions and not needed in lotion bars. There aren't any natural preservatives on the market today for the home crafter that truly work for all mold, germs and bacteria. If you want to make lotion bars, start with 1/3 liquid oils, 1/3 butter(s), 1/3 wax.

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

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Debbie

Emulsifiers are needed if you use water like in a lotion. For lotion bars, no emulsifiers are needed. You are not "emulsifying" anything.
Beeswax by itself is not an emulsifier. ***
For citric acid try your grocery store. It might be with the canning stuff. It's called either sour salt or Fruit Fresh. Check the ingredient label. Know that it's much more expensive this way. Bath fizzies need the citric acid to fizz.


*** Borax & beeswax do make an emulsifier, but a weak one that separates over time.

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

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Debbie

Fruit Fresh has Dextrose (sugar), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Citric Acid, Silicon Dioxide (for anti-caking). It's not the best thing to use, but it can be used in a pinch. Due to the higher amount of sugar, you will need more of it then straight citric acid.

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

_________________
Debbie

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