Teach Soap

I tried making a sugar scrub and gave some to a friend. Mine stayed in a covered container in the shower and maintained the original consistency. Hers got a small amount of water in it and dissolved. She was raving about how good it was and would love more but I would obviously love to make a product that doesn't disappear after a single use. I used :sugar, olive oil, CO, cocoa butter shea butter, jojoba, essential oil, vitamin E. Is there something I should add or remove?

If any water gets to it it will dissolve. You can try individually wrapped, single use scrubs.

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

So if someone buys a $20 sugar scrub from the store, it will dissolve too? Expensive lesson!

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

Also, I wouldn't keep it in the shower if it doesn't have a preservative in it

_________________
Genny

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

a preservative such as...?

I did see the post on preservatives but I am trying to keep this all natural.

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

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

Vitamin e won't do the trick?

_________________
Genny

Germs, mold and bacteria are also natural, yet they can do a lot of serious damage.

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

Thanks for the replies.

Soapbuddy, I totally get what you are saying about germs etc. For large batches I will need a preservative. So far I have only made small batches that are gone in a week so I think it should be ok while I figure out what ingredients I like. This did send me running to my cupboard though to compare ingredients in two commercial products that I purchased retail.

Product one contains optiphen plus (labeled as phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol,sorbic acid) which I now recognize as the preservative. It also contains tocopheryl acetate. This is FDA approved but there are some possible concerns associated with it. Is this used in place of Vitamin E and if so, what is the advantage?

Product two was my favorite. It is labeled organic. It feels great! I contains sugar, oils, butters, essential oils, water, and vitamin E. No preservative that I can see. Now I am a little concerned.

I would love to hear any feedback on these. Good or bad

I would be leery of product two. The problem with commercial product is that they don't always list all the ingredients or it's "hidden" in other ingredients. Also, products made in a commercial lab is more sanitary then anything that you can make in your kitchen.

Batches without a preservative (even refrigerated) can grow germs within 24-48 hours, even if the product smells fine and you can't see anything.

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