Shea Butter Soap Odor

[aharvick]

My soap has ended up with an odd odor. The only thing that I can think it would be is the shea butter. It has a very odd smell. Very strong nutty odor. Stronger than that of a strong olive oil. Is this normal? I have bought homemade shea butter soaps to test them and they smell wonderful.
Am I doing something wrong? My shea is fairly new from WSP.

 

[Nita]

What is WSP?

 

[aharvick]

What is WSP?

Wholesale Supplies Plus

 

[Nita]

Thanks! I’m still learning soap acronyms.

 

[CaraBou]

Likely is the shea. What percentage did you use?

I find that scent pleasant. If you don't, try a lower percentage or buy refined, which is deodorized.

 

[Obsidian]

WSP has some of the strongest smelling shea I've ever used. I only buy refined anymore, I just can't handle the weird scent.

I've never had it stick in soap before, did you use a lot? Any additives that could be causing the smell?

There is a good chance that the smell will fade as it cures.

 

[shunt2011]

I agree with Obsidian. WSP unrefined is pretty strong though I've never noticed it having a carry over smell after cure. I use it at 10% I don't use it any longer as I get mine from Soaper's Choice. I have purchased the unrefined from WSP for use in scrubs and balms. Only when it's on sale though.

 

[Nita]

I use Shea in all my soaps. I buy mine from Africa and from essential depot soil since it was buy one get one free.

 

[aharvick]

I will buy new this week. Im currently at 10%. The additives I used were bamboo extract, vitamin e, bentonite, and activated charcoal.

 

[shunt2011]

It may be a combination of the shea and the other additives. May I ask why you are adding bamboo extract & vitamin E to your soap? I don't think much of anything will survive the lye monster and those are both kind of pricey items better for other products. Just curious,,..

 

[aharvick]

My daughter breaks out very easily with soaps and using these two products helps to alleviate those breakouts especially with shaving.

 

[earlene]

Some of us have more sensitive noses than others do, so smelling the shea may just be part of that. I find some soaping oils linger for a very very long time, but others don't seem to notice them quite as much as my nose. So either I limit or avoid those oils or experiment with stronger fragrances to counter the scents. However, sometimes that doesn't even work to hide the lingering scent of certain oils.