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@GoBlue thanks so much for taking the time to reply! I definitely think my issue all along has been putting my soap in the freezer. I have since stopped and that seems to have resolved the problem. I mix my oils and lye at around 90-95*, pour in wooden molds, and just leave on my work...

Hmm.. my thoughts exactly with the little amount of stearic already in my current recipe. If not stearic spots/streaks, then what could they be? Air bubbles make actual little tiny holes that I can see the difference of. My wire cutter isn’t the culprit either, because the spots are present when...

Appreciate the suggests you guys! Yea, the bars are cleansing, but not overly drying. I used to use palm oil and since getting rid of that, upped my coconut oil and added rice bran. I have purchased a new immersion blender to see if mine was adding extra bubbles than usual. I’ll make a batch...

Coconut oil: 39% Shea Butter: 7% Olive Oil: 39% Rice Bran Oil: 1% Soybean Oil: 8% Castor Oil: 5.5% SF: 6% Lye Concentrate: 35% Additives vary but for this batch: Sage fo - 4%. Rosemary (4 sprigs) infused distilled water. Melting oils until clear. Soaping at 90-105f both lye and oils...

Totally understand that. I don’t understand how my batches are still overheating if I’m soaping at low temps, putting in the freezer, & using a water discount? I prefer the matte/opaque look of the bars.

Handmade wooden molds (1/2” thick). Been using the same ones for years. Always putting them in the freezer to prevent gelling. The spots (seen above) are a new-ish issue. Perhaps my immersion blender is producing too many bubbles? Hmm. Definitely look like Stearic acid spots to me though.

Reporting back! Made my Rosemary bar: 35% lye concentrate. (recipe above) Mixed all oils 200degrees for several minutes. (hard oils then liquids - until VERY clear) Lye temp: 86*f / Oil temp: 104*f (trying to prevent stearic acids spots, but yet stay ungelled!) Instead of putting in the...

Thanks, E! Appreciate your suggestions! Will definitely give them a try and report back!

Thanks Kiwi & Ali! Yes, as I mentioned, I already melt my hard oils well above 185f for several minutes and then add soft oils. I’ve tried a variety of lye concentrates and still have Stearic spots AND partial gelling (which I don’t want). I am assuming my issue is a combo of freezing and...

Circling back…. - Could these “spots/specks” be caused by air bubbles? - Am I cutting the loaf too soon (~2-5days later)? Cut by knife or wire, specks are still there. Also: they definitely feel waxy. But as I mentioned, I melt my oils until they are completely clear - don’t know how any oil...

So I’ve read all the threads/posts and seem to be doing everything I know to prevent stearic acids spots, but keep getting them. Picture attached. I melt my hard oils (coconut & shea butter) well above 185degrees for several minutes before adding the rest of my oils (olive oil, soybean, rice...