Teach Soap

Hello all, I am new to this board and somewhat new to HP soap. I have gotten the basic soap down pat and want to start making somewhat more complicated soaps. I was thinking of using cocoa powder for color and scent. Should I add it at the beginning, at trace or after cooking? Should I use it as is or should I disolve it first? Also, shea butter, do I add it with the oils or after cooking?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Welcome!
Cocoa powder will not add scent to your soap. You can add it as color, but don't use too much, otherwise you will get brown bubbles and it can discolor a washcloth. Add the cocoa at the beginning. I normally add everything right up front. You can try adding the butter after the cook. That might help with easing the soap into your mold.

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

IMZ; Welcome, both to the forum, and to the addiction!

You can put a thin layer of the powder either in between layers when you are pouring into the mold, or on the very top when you are done molding, creating a line in your soap or a topping. You could also take some soap out (at thin trace), mix a small amount of the cocoa powder into the soap for coloring, then add it back into the pot, doing an in the pot swirl.

Soap away and Have fun!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

LavenderLady, thank you, I will try the in-the-pot swirl technic. Soapbuddy, if I am adding the shea butter at the end should it be taken into consideration for the lye calculation?

Thanks.

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

YW, and lots of luck! Take and share pictures!

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy