Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Aromatherapy, herbs, natural living, etcI am just curious if anyone has some data that shows that the properties of high quality oils(shea butter, olive, babassu, hemp or whatever) comes through the soapmaking process. Also does anyone know yet about the properties of essential oils in soap. My personal experience says YES-I think at least the scent of real plant oils effects me when I use soap, but so far what I have read over the past 5 years of soapmaking seems to reach a conclusion that nobody knows. I don't get it-somebody has got to know:) And maybe it is one of you:) Blessings -Love and Light- Ray and Kristena Roder http://www.dreamseeds.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I am just curious if anyone has some data that shows that the properties of high quality oils(shea butter, olive, babassu, hemp or whatever) comes through the soapmaking process. [Dave:] I don’t know what kind of data you mean. It would be hard to devise a laboratory test. I think that anyone who makes soaps, or who has tried handmade soaps, would definitely affirm that the qualities of the oils do survive the process. It is certainly possible to create soaps that do not carry the benefits of the oils and botanicals to the skin. This would be done by carelessly measuring the proportions of the oils and the lye so that the soap is lye-heavy. Each oil or fat has a SAP (saponification) number, which indicates how much lye is necessary to completely turn a given portion of oil into soap. If the oil is 100% saponified, it is simply soap. Soapmakers “discount” the lye amount, so that a certain portion of the oils remain unsaponified and remain free-floating in the finished soap. This is how the qualities of the oils are brought through the process. It requires some math and must be fairly precise. This is called superfatting, and there are several ways to accomplish it. Controlling and directing this process is a big part of the art of making wonderful soaps. -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/432 - Release 8/29/2006 -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/432 - Release 8/29/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Thanks for repying David. Actually I understand what you mean about SAP info, however if you are using, say, calendula oil (olive oil infused with calendula) does the calendula properties make it through. The calming and healing properties medicinally of say German Chamomile Essential Oil... does it make it through the soap making process? Blessings -Love and Light- Ray and Kristena Roder http://www.dreamseeds.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 , " dreamseeds " <dreamseeds wrote: > > Aromatherapy, herbs, natural living, etcI am just curious if anyone has some data that shows that the properties of high quality oils(shea butter, olive, babassu, hemp or whatever) comes through the soapmaking process. > Also does anyone know yet about the properties of essential oils in soap. _____________________ The word " properties " is vague. All oils have some nonsaponifiable elements. That is partly why the SAP value varies. SAP value gives an estimate as to the amount of saponifiable triglycerides in an ounce of the oil. For example: Coconut .251 Olive .134 Palm .141 Coconut has the highest SAP value because it has the highest amount of saponifiable molecules per ounce of oil. Palm and Olive have lower SAP values because they contain less saponifiable molecules per ounce of oil. The molecules that react with lye turn into soap. The non-saponifiables remain suspended in the bar and act as emollients. One reason Shea soap is considered so emollient is that shea butter is 7 to 10% non-saponifiable. As for essential oils: Again, how do you define " properties " ? If you value Essential Oils for their fragrance, and you can smell it in the finished soap, I guess you can say it has retained the " properties " of the oil. Beyond that, it would take analyzing the finished soap in a lab to determine its individual chemical elements. I'm sure someone, somewhere has done that, but overall it comes down to if the soap feels good and smells good, it has good " properties " . Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Actually I understand what you mean about SAP info, however if you are using, say, calendula oil (olive oil infused with calendula) does the calendula properties make it through. The calming and healing properties medicinally of say German Chamomile Essential Oil... does it make it through the soap making process? [Dave:] At least some of the properties of botanicals make it through the process. To get “data” you’d need some lab tests, but generations of empirical experience seem to affirm that they do. The later in the process things are added, the less they are mutilated by the exposure to the lye. I use some essential oils sparingly in soap, especially tea tree, lavender, may chang, the mints, and some others. The scents remain, and I believe the healing qualities do, too. -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/435 - Release 8/31/2006 -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/435 - Release 8/31/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I will add to what Dave has already mentioned. Amoung us soapers some of us participate in soap swaps. Last week I pulled out a bar that I've had in my " soap drawer " in the bathroom. Well, it was not moisturizing, nor good lather. Not only did I notice this, but my DH as well. In fact his statement was. " This isn't your soap is it? " The soap contained, according to it's label, only lard & coconut oil, as the oils. So yes, the good oils do come through. Also, adding to what Dave mentioned, each oil has fatty acids that add to the affect in soap. Some are high in linoleic, some high in myristic, oleic, palmitic, stearic etc. Combining these in such a way as to make the highest quality at affordable(within reason)priced soap is what make us soapmaker's the artists we are. Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I make soaps too And other cosmetics 100%natural, without mineral products or synthetic. Only beautiful oils and the only animal stuff are milk, butter, honey, propolis, wax. Very good to make good soap. My best acchievement is ash soap. Much much better than cold. in texture and effect on the skin, altough not very smelly (lol). Pity I am so far away from you. Swapping is not so easy when you are In the USA and I am in Brasil. But it would be fun... Ane* Você quer respostas para suas perguntas? Ou você sabe muito e quer compartilhar seu conhecimento? Experimente o Respostas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I make soaps too And other cosmetics 100%natural, without mineral products or synthetic. Only beautiful oils and the only animal stuff are milk, butter, honey, propolis, wax. Very good to make good soap. My best acchievement is ash soap. Much much better than cold. in texture and effect on the skin, altough not very smelly (lol). Pity I am so far away from you. Swapping is not so easy when you are In the USA and I am in Brasil. But it would be fun... Ane* [Dave:] I’m a soaper too. I’d like to know more about how you use propolis in soap, and what effect it has, both on the skin and in the soap itself. Also, what do you mean by ash soap? By the way, you can take a look at my soaps if you like, here: HYPERLINK " http://www.flickr.com/photos/67351796@N00/ " http://www.flickr.com/photos/673 51796@N00/ -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/441 - Release 9/7/2006 -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/441 - Release 9/7/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Thank you, Anita. Well said... -- Birdie Bok!Bok! My God is Faithful! Forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Someone asked me how to put propolis in soap If you have a hive you 'll see that propolis come mixed with wax. You have to soak propolis wax in alcohol in order to obtain the propolis extract. What would you do with the rest of that wax? I make soap with it Beautiful soap. Ashes too. They are great instead of lye (soda) I make soap with he ashes from my stove and from my fireplace. Very good. Acesso Grátis - Internet rápida e grátis. Instale o discador agora! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I make soap with he ashes from my stove and from my fireplace. [Dave:] If you don’t mind, I’d like to know more about exactly how you do this. -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release 9/8/2006 -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release 9/8/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Yeah eww how is this good for you? not knocking (as though it may sound) very curious. as we have a pellet stove. Stuck - David Lambert Sunday, September 10, 2006 7:10 PM [lists] RE: Re: A question about high quality soap I make soap with he ashes from my stove and from my fireplace. [Dave:] If you don’t mind, I’d like to know more about exactly how you do this. -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release 9/8/2006 -- Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/442 - Release 9/8/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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