Stearic Spots

[Paddyfrances]

I'm having loads of problems with Stearic spots in my soaps no matter what I do.
I use shea at 18% and having trawled through everything I can read on the internet I feel that this is the culprit.
My recipe is 18% Coconut oil, 45% olive pomace, 12% sunflower, 18% shea and 5% castor oil.
I am trying to come up with a recipe that doesn't include sunflower (dos issues)
and shea and have been thinking about cocoa butter instead.
Can anyone tell me if cocoa butter will cause stearic spots just the same as shea?
The soap gremlins have moved in with me and I just wish they'd find somewhere else to live.
Thanks x

 

[Lion Of Judah]

what temperature do you soap at ? just be sure your butters are melted properly and you soap at a warm enough temp. you can use sunflower oil without a DOS issue , just reduce the amount that you use in your soap

 

[shunt2011]

It would depend on what temp you are soaping at. With shea you will need to soap a bit warmer and that should help. Cocoa butter is harder so same thing. Soap a bit warmer.

 

[DeeAnna]

When you say "stearic spots" do you mean this type of thing in your soap?
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=35680
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=29547
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43844

If so, I agree with Shari and Lion. You might get some other tips from the responses to the threads I referenced.

...or do you mean soap that looks like these?
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=43946
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=56558
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=56397
http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=56558

If so, this thread might be helpful: http://www.soapmakingforum.com/showthread.php?t=55321

 

[IrishLass]

Yep- it helps to soap warm when working with butters if you don't want to end up with stearic spots. When I make such batches, I make sure that both my lye and melted oils/fats are no lower than 110 when I commence soaping.


IrishLass

 

[Paddyfrances]

DeeAnna - the first link on your reply is the one that looks the same as my soaps.
I have been soaping at 100 degrees then upped it to 105 but will try 110-115 tomorrow.

A very big "thank you" to everyone for your responses - as usual you are all amazing. xx

 

[DeeAnna]

Good to know! I thought I'd ask just to make sure since sometimes people use words in unexpected ways.