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I want to make some soap that smells like Vanilla. I know you can't put vanilla extract in soap and I know that the easiest thing to do would be to buy vanilla FO. However, I prefer, essential oils whenever possible. I also quickly realized you can't buy vanilla EO, instead you can buy vanilla...

How are you planning to use it? I'm assuming you want to use it as an infused liquid. I would use the leaf and use several big handfuls per quart jar of boiling water. Let it sit over night. It becomes intensely deeply blue/green and if it's really, really a thick infusion it will appear...

I use zinc oxide once in awhile in cold process soap to achieve a nice bright white (the soap recipe I make most of the time creates a creamy off white soap) and I also use it in a baby balm and in a natural sunscreen. I buy it by the pound and have bought it from both New Directions and Mtn...

I get it sometimes and sometimes not. It find it to be one of the least predictable things in soapmaking. When I'm trying to have flat, clean, sharp bars then it bugs me and I actually wash it off after the soap has cured. I take a damp washcloth and scrub/wipe it off the cut bar. (I'm...

I use coconut milk powder in bath melts. Our local Asian market sells three brands and they all are basically powdered cow's milk with coconut additives. They smell great and they feel silky and lovely but not vegan. Too bad because it is very cheap compared to canned coconut milk. Coconut...

I have had the whitish layer form or little flecks. I remember reading about it, in one of the two Susan Miller Cavitch soapmaking books, she calls it "lint" and writes that you don't have to worry about it. (pp. 183 and 184 of the Soapmaker's Companion). She also writes that it is more likely...

I think all the previous suggestions are great. I would consider adding anti-microbial essential oils especially Tea Tree which is well-known for being good for acne. Lavender is also anti-microbial. Consider adding them on the higher end of acceptable percntages for essential oils in soap. I...

Thanks. I didn't take the photos. Every year around xmas I trade soap for photos. The woman that takes them isn't a professional but she's pretty talented and has a nice camera. She doesn't use a light box though, just natural light.

Here's some of what I've been making recently for xmas time. I had a lot of fun. (french pink clay, green clay soap curls, red oxide colored soap shavings, EO blend of palmarosa, pink grapefruit, rosemary and peppermint) (EO blend of peppermint, fir needle, orange 10x, cedarwood and...

I prefer EO. I think my friends, family and customers do too. There's just something special. You can see it in people's faces when they pick up a bar and sniff. A lot of people that I know also really want 100% natural products. That said, I do use both. One thing you can do to use EO but...

Wow. This has been really interesting. I disregarded the label on the bucket that says "melt and pour before each use." I just take off the lid and scoop it out. I've made almost 100 lbs of of soap getting ready for xmas and it's all turned out beautifully. Of course, I haven't gotten to the...

Wow! So many gorgeous ones. I love the first two swirls and LOVE #5. It's really distinctive.

I used regular (unfolded) Lime, Lemon and Tangerine EOs in cold process soap. I find the Tangerine Holds up really well, the Lemon and Lime ok. I've had a hard time with Grapefruit. After a couple of months it seems like it's virtually nonexistant. I LOVE Grapefruit so I stick to using it in...

When I first started making soap I noticed exactly what you are talking about, that different calculators offered different lye/water weights for the same oils. Sometimes I would run a recipe through three or four different calculators (it only takes a minute or two) and see where most of them...

nice! And Almond is a great really likable scent.

I also love the french green clay for the pretty minty green. I don't know if it is exactly food grade although there are some old-school natural health people that consume clay to detox. I also use nettle sometimes. Have you tried nettle? It's definitely consumable. You can get a deep...

I also love the french green clay for the pretty minty green. I don't know if it is exactly food grade although there are some old-school natural health people that consume clay to detox. I also use nettle sometimes. Have you tried nettle? It's definitely consumable. You can get a deep...

I also get the Rooto at Menards. 3.76 for a pound. I use so much, I kind of feel bad about all the plastic packaging that I consume by using that lye. I wish I could buy one really big bucket...but I suppose moisture is an issue. That essential depot lye is a good deal for sure--did any one...

It sounds like these other ladies gave you great info on gelling and not gelling. i just want to add that the sprinkles are so cute!

There are so many things you can use to color soap. You can use herbs, powdered spices, clays, micas, ultramarines, oxides, liquid color, fd&c colorants, and more. Some are 100% natural, some are sort of natural or claim to be naturally derived and some are artificial. It may help you...