Not sure where I went wrong

[Jessica Lee]

Hello,

I'm very new to the DIY soap world. I've been testing here and there on my end, and finally thought I was ready to make the bars I wanted to make - but it turns out, not so much.

My idea is to have a blue bottom, with a soap imbibed within, and a clear base on top. I double broiler my soap to ensure a slow melt, so I'm fairly confident I did not burn it - it did not change to a yellowish tint (which it has before when I've burned this specific brand) nor did the consistency change to a gloppy mess. However, the clear base isn't really clear and I seem to get these white streaks on the very top (spraying with rubbing alcohol did nothing). I have seen a youtube video of someone doing something similar, and theirs turned out perfect. Is the base not supposed to be actually clear? What can I do to avoid the white streaks on the top?

I'm attaching two images of the soap, as well as two images of the products used in terms of colours, soap base, and fragrance.

 

[cmzaha]

I am guessing the biggest culprit is the Craft Store base, which are not really good bases. It is better to purchase from a reputable company and Essentials by Catalina has some really good bases and a crystal clear base. Their Stephenson bases are a little harder to work with according to my daughter who was the m&p expert. Not me. This is a very clear base, but I think EBC only sells blocks https://essentialsbycatalina.com/super-clear-melt-pour-glycerin-soap-base. You can request samples, but I have no idea how much you receive as a sample.

 

[Jessica Lee]

That was my biggest fear. I live in Canada, and the shipping is just simply too much with every site I've looked at. The one you linked, for example, the shipping is more than the soap.

 

[cmzaha]

Sorry you did not show where you are from. We have several members whom reside in Canada and I am sure can help you with some suppliers. New Directions Aromatics is located in Canada and do carry soap base they also have good Essential Oils https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/products/melt-pour-soap-bases/

 

[lsg]

Did you use crystal clear soap base? I have found that it is the best to use with embeds.

 

[BattleGnome]

Did you fragrance the clear? That can make clear base cloudy if you don’t use a completely clear fragrance. The streaks on top looks a bit like bubbles to me or like you covered it with plastic wrap that drooped a bit.

 

[Anne.m.]

That was my biggest fear. I live in Canada, and the shipping is just simply too much with every site I've looked at. The one you linked, for example, the shipping is more than the soap.

Aromatics.ca

 

[Relle]

Aromatics.ca

This person hasn't been here in 2 years. You can check the date of the post under they're avatar. They're not likely to see it.