Partial gelled soap

[penelopejane]

I have a partial gelled soap with the darker coloured centre.
I've been using it and it was the dark coloured centre that dissolved more quickly than the outer ring that didn't gel. I now have a donut ring in the centre of my soap.

But, gelled soap is supposed to be harder and more long lasting than ungelled soap.
So what is happening with my soap?

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

While it might be physically harder, would that translate to longer lasting?

But as to why the nongelled part is lasting longer, I am not sure. Did you get soda ash on that part?

 

[penelopejane]

No, no soda ash.

 

[Lion Of Judah]

.... how long did your soap cure before you used it ?

 

[ilovebathing]

My hemp and olive soap did the same partial gel in the middle. It does ruin a nice looking soap appearance wise, but it still lathers and cleans. But next time to avoid this, maybe HP it in terms of my batch. I used beeswax and I heard there are things that happens when it saponifies etc.

 

[penelopejane]

.... how long did your soap cure before you used it ?

Sorry I missed this reply.
Over a year. It is a Castile.