Teach Soap

Hi everybody! Thanks to a super nice forum member here, KomfyKate, and the recipe shared with me (which I am using as a base of knowledge to formulate my own) I have been doing my own science experiment on the soapcalc website learning the different properties of the oils I have decided on using. I am learning a TON! and just from looking at the numbers, I am "actively" learning the properties of some oils and butters and how they work in soap.

I am curious to know what actual properties other soapers have looked at to formulate a recipe specifically for children with severe excema.

What is the importance of the cleansing factor of the soap? some of my calculations are creating some very clean soaps, while others are upping the conditioning factor....with both these examples even out of and past the suggested range for the soap properties on that site.

Is too much conditioning a bad thing?

What kinds of properties for excema soap do you think I should be aiming at?

Thanks for your suggestions!

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

It was my sons eczema that got me into soap making - sick of putting creams and lotions on him after ever bath, I now use plain, unscented goat's milk soap. Since switching to that I've not had to use any lotions or creams on him and his skin is super smooth and soft!

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I have absolutely horrible eczema on my legs, my dermatologist says to bathe rarely, like once a week (eww?) and use a soap and detergent free product, he recommend "doak soak". I just can't do it! So I use my own soap that has colloidal oatmeal in it. The rash is about a quarter as bad as it usually is, and seems to be getting a little better every week. Its nice to NOT be a walking scab for once LOL The oatmeal I use is at ~1tsp ppo. I add it to my oils and stick blend it in before I add my lye solution.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

My customers prefer pure castille soaps. With that said, I cannot nor will I make any medical claims. They find that out on their own.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

This is what I think my calculations are going to tell me, that a high percent of olive oil is going to make the soap gentle and conditioning - which is good for skin with excema.

I think I want to include more almond oil because of its good properties for skin, but I am realizing that its a fairly soft oil and the hardness factor is being decreased with an increase of its percent.

But what about the "cleansing" properties? Am I correct in thinking that cleansing properties are going to remove natural body oils, and this is not something you want with skin that has excema problems?

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

You definitely do NOT want to remove the natural oils! I think this is what the store "soap" was doing to my legs.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

Olive oil doesn't look good in lye calc because of its SAP value, but as we all know it makes a brick hard soap over time. I would not add almond oil to your soap. It's a soft oil and doesn't add much to the soap's skin care properties. I would try avocado oil instead in a small amount.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Almonds have been known to make many people's eczema flare up, so I'd stay away from that. I'd also steer clear of putting any coconut or wheat products in it, which can contribute to flare ups.

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Genny

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

There are many comments on the Net that African Black Soap is excellent at clearing skin problems. It's made from either 100% shea butter (unrefined!!) or a mix of shea and palm. Since it is made from natural potash (burnt plantains) I expect it is mainly potassium soap. As you'd expect it is pretty soft and doesn't last long. Unrefined shea is loaded with unsaponifiables.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I will definitely be making the soap myself! Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and antidotes.

For what its worth I have decided on using cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil and almond oil and then probably throw in some oatmeal.

I havent used the butters before....is there anything I should know about them before hand?

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

Unrefined shea often contains impurities so I'd melt it first and pass it through a filter funnel, or even just let it stand for a little while and decant it off, leaving any residue behind.

Thank you barquentine! According to the site where I purchased my oils, its ultra refined but I will keep that in mind. I appreciate your input!

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!