makemineirish
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
- Messages
- 257
- Reaction score
- 245
I have something of an "eat with your eyes first" personality and am interested in trying out some novel design techniques. It only makes sense that I explore new territory in the recipes as well. I do not sell, and am forced to be uber-selective about what I make lest I end up with a hallway full of soap that are more decorative than functional.
If you are making something for you and yours, what is your first instinct? Is it a salt bar, castille, goat milk, cucumber? Do you burrow through your stash for silk, yogurt, sodium lactate, the last bit of Jennifer Lopez's toenail clippings before the restraining order...?
Conversely, are there ingredients that you fail to understand the hype about? Do you find castor oil tacky, lard comedogenic, activated charcoal drying, vegetable purees just label p*rn that fail to survive the lye monster...? I understand that everything has a recommended rate of usage, and the art of soap making is finding the fulcrum upon which to balance multiple priorities. However, is there something that you simply do not care to use in any percentage?
To be clear, I am not asking for recipes. I get that most have spent years perfecting theirs and, rightfully, consider them proprietary. I recently stumbled onto an old post about kpangnan butter that made me question what else I was unfamiliar, or just inexperienced with (despite my best efforts).
Before placing another order, I thought I would see if the collective wisdom could suggest a few new things play with. The only thread that found in the same vein was over five years old and more limited in scope, http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=11316. To avoid necroposting, I thought that I would just reintroduce the topic.
I understand that everyone's skin, preferences, and experience are subjective, but would love some input to allow me to prioritize my "experiments". As always, thanks in advance for any suggestions.
If you are making something for you and yours, what is your first instinct? Is it a salt bar, castille, goat milk, cucumber? Do you burrow through your stash for silk, yogurt, sodium lactate, the last bit of Jennifer Lopez's toenail clippings before the restraining order...?
Conversely, are there ingredients that you fail to understand the hype about? Do you find castor oil tacky, lard comedogenic, activated charcoal drying, vegetable purees just label p*rn that fail to survive the lye monster...? I understand that everything has a recommended rate of usage, and the art of soap making is finding the fulcrum upon which to balance multiple priorities. However, is there something that you simply do not care to use in any percentage?
To be clear, I am not asking for recipes. I get that most have spent years perfecting theirs and, rightfully, consider them proprietary. I recently stumbled onto an old post about kpangnan butter that made me question what else I was unfamiliar, or just inexperienced with (despite my best efforts).
Before placing another order, I thought I would see if the collective wisdom could suggest a few new things play with. The only thread that found in the same vein was over five years old and more limited in scope, http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=11316. To avoid necroposting, I thought that I would just reintroduce the topic.
I understand that everyone's skin, preferences, and experience are subjective, but would love some input to allow me to prioritize my "experiments". As always, thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Last edited: