Teach Soap

I just had to see for myself what all the fuss about shea butter was, so I made Anne Marie's (Soap Queen) whipped shea butter recipe last night (14oz shea/5oz CO) with some lavender EO. I cut the recipe in half (in case I didn't like it). Well, I got almost 6 x 4oz jars with it!

It was so ridiculously EASY to make (like 10 minutes), and it's just lovely in texture too.

I might use a wee bit less of the coconut oil next time as it's a teeny bit oily for my liking ... though it absorbs fully after about 30 seconds.

Anyway, if any of you are considering trying a whipped shea concoction, go for it! I can see customers just eating this stuff up so would make a lovely upsell to soap, especially if scented in same fragrance or EO.

Karri

PS: I should also mention that I've made another body butter recently with more oils/lots of diff ingredients and I like THIS basic shea recipe better. Only thing I might add is a bit of cocoa butter for smell and texture. Though it might weigh down the "whipped" texture...

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I soap therefore I am.

Good for you! I can't make it here due to triple digit temps. It just melts into a puddle.

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

Oh that's right, you're in Florida, yes?

It's hot here too right now but I'm spoiled because we have air conditioning. But I imagine shipping this stuff would be a bad idea in the summer, yes?

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

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

Okay my geography needs brushing up! For some reason I always think Florida when I hear Palm Springs. LOL. Sorry!

Yeah, I can imagine a customer ordering whipped shea wouldn't be too happy if s/he received a jar of syrupy, runny "oil."

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

My youngest has SEVERE skin allergies and whipped shea or whipped shea with cocoa butter is all he can use ( I add sweet almond as coconut even breaks him out but almond doesn't), but it works great and keeps him hydrated and ash free and for those whom are ethnic it is actually great in hair too. It helps to detangle a tad and keeps the curls a bit more controlled. I love it too, for me though your right just a tad greasy I was wondering if there was a to offset that bit like by adding cornstarch or something but still not have add preservative since he is too sensitive for it, not even sure if cornstarch would work on him. Hmm. But thanks for sharing your experiance with us!

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

@KomfyKate - I bet any oil would work great in place of the CO! The shea seems to whip up so effortlessly. I'd love to try with a little less oil next time and replace with a bit of cocoa butter. I am in LOVE with cocoa butter and I think it would help the grease factor too.

However, even though it goes on a tad oily it really does sink in right away. Amazing. And I notice my hands still feel fabulous after washing them a couple times so that means it's benefits aren't "washing off" right away either.

Severe skin allergies would be awful Does he have nut allergies too? I've read that for some reason shea butter doesn't necessarily trigger allergies in folks with nut allergies. Just seems to depend on the individual. I've got little ones though too so I can sympathize.

But thank goodness nature makes us some lovely ingredients to help!
Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

I'm right there w/ya soapbuddy. PHX is hot as blazes right now. I had to put off sales til the weather cools down.

Karri[/quote]
I'm in Palm Springs, CA. Shipping an item like this would be a nightmare for me. I even worry about shipping regular MP soap in the summer heat.[/quote]

I am not a fan of Shea or CO I was thinking of making one with just cocoa butter and some castor and maybe some fractionated CO for adsorption, not sure how it will hold up but will let you know once I get more cocoa butter to try it out.

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

I'd love to hear how that works Selena as I LOVE cocoa butter ... like really LOVE it.

But that said I think it will be tricky to get the "whipped" or even "cream-type" consistency without the shea? Cocoa butter is just so hard ... but lovely in a lotion bar. YUM!

_________________
I soap therefore I am.

_________________
Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

_________________
Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

Ok, so 86 the clay because thinking that one through I would think the clay would make it harder. I will go get some cornstarch and glycerine and let you know.

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

I wonder if the clay might be a little drying (i.e. counterproductive) in a body butter? Not sure.

I just remembered that I made some body butter last month and I'd have to look up the recipe but there was oil in it (maybe a little more than 30%?) plus shea/cocoa butter and beeswax. It got hard overnight and wouldn't give me that whipped texture I got using only shea and CO. I got the recipe off a gal's blog ... lmk if you want me to find it for you!

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.