stearic acid and clays

[MKristen]

So I did a trip to my sorta local soap supply store yesterday and picked up some stuff that I really don't know what I would do with.

The first is stearic acid, I was actually looking for sodium lactate (I think) and ended up with this, what is its use in cp soap?

I also picked up some clay powders, some kalolin clay and French green, do I mix with water and add at trace, what's a good amount and what are the benefits?

Thanks!

 

[new12soap]

I use stearic acid in my soaps sometimes to make a harder longer lasting bar. Use 1/8 to 1/4 ounce PPO. Melt it separately and add it after medium trace, it will thicken FAST. Forget intricate swirls if you are using stearic acid!

I use clay at 1 tsp PPO, and I stick blend it into my warm oils before I add the lye water. I know you can also mix it in at trace but I don't know if you mix it with water or oil first.

 

[lsg]

You can use stearic acid at the rate of .25 to .5 ounce per pound of base oils to harden your soap. It can also used in lotions at a rate of about 3 to 5%.

Clays can be added to soap at thin trace, I usually add 1 Tbsp. per pound of soap. Pour a little of your thinly traced soap into a container and add the clay, mix thoroughly to make sure there are no clumps, add the mixture back into the main body of soap and mix well.

 

[MKristen]

Thanks so much for both of your supplies! I may wait on using the steric acid, I have had enough trouble without adding another variable that will speed up my batch!

 

[countymounty22]

So glad this topic came up. I know somebody that always uses stearic acid but, he is HP only and he doesn't melt it first. Thanks.