Teach Soap

I'm new to soap making, actually haven't even made any yet. I'm all about research research research before taking on something new.

While poking around the Soap Queen blog I saw something about how a soap made entirely out of coconut oil breaks the "rules" of soap making, the rule being that too much coconut oil is drying (it was a featured recipe from somewhere else, and talk of it breaking rules was in more of a "but it actually works!" tone.) On another recipe with a high coconut oil content a commenter asked if the values were correct, surely that much coconut oil was a mistake because it would be too drying.

I'm not sure what to take away from this. I can't even wrap my head around why anyone would ever think coconut oil is drying at all. I buy organic coconut and use it as is as a skin moisturizer and occasional hair mask, not to mention cook/bake with it because yum! and it's good for you. I tried researching it to no avail. Is it old knowledge that has since been debunked?

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"Effective questioning brings insight which fuels curiosity which cultivates wisdom"

To much coconut oil in soap can strip the moisture from your skin since it is very cleansing. 100% coconut oil soaps are usually made with a 20% SF to counter act this.

For my recipe, I don't go above 20% of coconut oil. My skin prefers it this way. I also superfat at 7%.

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

It all just depends on you. I use coconut oil at 30% in my recipes and superfat around 7 or 8. I have done an all coconut oil recipe and superfatted at 20%. It is a tad drying for me but my husband likes it. Try it at different amounts and see what you like. I love that it creates lots of big bubbly lather.

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Haven

Hmm..This certainly points me in the right direction! I know better what to look for now, thanks soapers!

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"Effective questioning brings insight which fuels curiosity which cultivates wisdom"

Coconut oil has a high cleansing value, and provides hardness to soap. I have sensitive skin, but I don't find it to be too drying. But everybody's skin is different.

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"Effective questioning brings insight which fuels curiosity which cultivates wisdom"