Teach Soap

Hi All,
I've been making lotion bars for lo, many years, but it never occurred to me to color them. Mostly, I like the natural golden color from the beeswax. But now I'm wondering if I could use annatto seed or rose clay. Has anyone done it?

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Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

Infused annato seed will give you some color, but the clay could make the bar scratchy.

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

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

I usually use my own beeswax (or buy from other local beekeepers), and it's usually pretty yellow, since we don't have the capability (or desire!) to bleach it. The cocoa butter and olive oil can give them a bit of a green tings. But I was thinking of making gift baskets for mothers day, and though that if I could use rose geranium scent, and perhaps a bit of rose clay or paprika-infused oil or something to make them a tad pink, that would be nice. We'll see!

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Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

Newb question! What exactly is a lotion bar?

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

It's usually a combination of a butter, oil and a wax in a solid form that you use to help moisturize your skin. It's like a lip balm for your skin.

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Genny

Ohhh like a salve only thicker! I know what you mean now! Thanks hehe

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

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***************
Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

You can also use soy wax, candellila or carnauba wax. However the proportions will not be the same as soy wax is softer and the other two are harder.

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

_________________
***************
Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

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

Awesome info! Thanks guys!! Going to have a go this weekend - I can finally put that tub of Cocoa Butter I bought to use!

Question - I assume they don't need to cure due to the lack of lye / soaponification process?

And I assume you just rub the 'bar' on clean feet (like after a shower) and let it soak in? I have wooden floors, would I need to put socks on to stop the 'lotion' smearing everywhere or does it soak in relatively quick?

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

Depending which butter you end up using, It's good if you can wait about three days for the butter to "crystalize". You can use it right away, but some butters take longer to go completely solid ie: cocoa butter. So the hardness the first day is not always indicative how it will be three days from then.

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

Ok - great to know. (*mutters about yet more waiting*).

I was going to use the cocoa butter I bought. I don't know why I bought it. But I did. twice. I have it in a tub and in pellet form.

_________________
The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!