I usually use Tallow in my recipes but I was trying to do a palm-free, tallow/lard-free type of recipe… I’ve been sifting through threads and having issues finding similar problems. I’ve seen people use high OO in their recipes but haven’t addressed the longevity concerns of it.
Cocoa butter and soy wax will probably be the best palm-free, vegan options for you then.
Cocoa butter at 10-15% will add significant hardness and longevity. I've never used soy wax, but there are some great threads here about using that.
Thank you i appreciate your feedback! I’m going to give it a shot and I will report back!Cocoa butter and soy wax will probably be the best palm-free, vegan options for you then.
I would also say that the soap calculator doesn't always give the full picture. The people using my handcrafted soap (including me, hahah) care the most about the scent, whether it agrees with their skin, and if it bubbles the way they like. How long it lasts is usually quite far down the list after those top three concerns.
I make exactly one high-OO soap, and cure it about three months. While the bars don't last quite as long as my more balanced blends, no one complains that it melts away fast. The soap agrees with their skin, bubbles really well, and smells great - so they are happy.
All that to say, I'd encourage you to make a small batch of your recipe, as-is or with some cocoa butter and soy wax added. Give it a nice cure, and see what you and your testers think.
Try the Basic Trinity of Oils recipe with those oils. With an INS Value around 157, it's almost "perfect". Once you master it you can sub one oil for another and tweak it to your preferences. This is one recipe you will want to keep on hand for all types of skin. It is the formula used in popular handcrafted soaps, like Dr. Squatch, that you can buy online.
Thank you!Try the Basic Trinity of Oils recipe with those oils. With an INS Value around 157, it's almost "perfect". Once you master it you can sub one oil for another and tweak it to your preferences. This is one recipe you will want to keep on hand for all types of skin. It is the formula used in popular handcrafted soaps, like Dr. Squatch, that you can buy online.
OO 35% + 5% Castor
CO 25%
SHEA 35%
Recipe Printout of a batch I made for my DIL's father when he could no longer buy it on line because they stopped making it.
I expect tha lather would be dense and creamy. That leg of the trinity is made with palm, lard, tallow, solid shortening, etc. Shea butter is a good sub for lard, They have almost identical FAs/bar qualities.
That’s is what I was hoping you would say! I’m going to try this!
I agree. Thanks for mentioning that. However, I don't think you have to wait that long. I make the 85% OO, 10% CO, 5% Castor variation. I find that I can start using a bar at 2 weeks and it lasts -- while the rest of the batch sits and waits for their turn.
Not sure.
Yes - I use that variation and I'm sure it was harder and long lasting before then too, but it's just that I remember one bar I gave to my sister during the lockdowns for covid. Her husband had trouble with very dry hands from using commercial soap all the time (remember all the hand washing we did after touching anything?) and so she wanted a gentle soap. I had a bar of ZNSC which was a year old and I gave it to her - and they still had it at their handbasin ONE YEAR after that, going strong! Mind you, It was a very big bar I gave them - about 160g. The lahter was very good too.I agree. Thanks for mentioning that. However, I don't think you have to wait that long. I make the 85% OO, 10% CO, 5% Castor variation. I find that I can start using a bar at 2 weeks and it lasts -- while the rest of the batch sits and waits for their turn.
I'm using a 1-year+ bar now. Talk about lasting, I can easily smoosh the last bit of the previous bar onto the new bar with a bit of water -- no waste, no scraps to deal with. It holds its shape to the very end.
The lather seems denser and creamier at this late stage but it's hard for me to say when it "peaks". I'm guessing about 3 months in?
@Zany_in_CO I LOVE your no slime Castile. Have made 3 batches and there will be more. I wait 8 weeks to start using them. My 95 yo mom loves how mild they are On her skin, too!I agree. Thanks for mentioning that. However, I don't think you have to wait that long. I make the 85% OO, 10% CO, 5% Castor variation. I find that I can start using a bar at 2 weeks and it lasts -- while the rest of the batch sits and waits for their turn.
I'm using a 1-year+ bar now. Talk about lasting, I can easily smoosh the last bit of the previous bar onto the new bar with a bit of water -- no waste, no scraps to deal with. It holds its shape to the very end.
The lather seems denser and creamier at this late stage but it's hard for me to say when it "peaks". I'm guessing about 3 months in?
I made a soap with 70% shea butter and it is wonderful. Expensive to make though...
All soap is getting more expensive to make. I about had a heart attack the other day when I found 2 lb. Red Crown NaOH online for $20!!!
