Florida Beach Soap

So....I went to Florida on vacation last week. We went into a swim shop and I was talking with the shop owner about natural things and told her about my soap. Luckily, I had a few bars with me to gift to a friend so I took them in so that she could see them, and it looks like I have a new account. This nice lady owns two stores along Gulf Blvd in two different communities.

I made two different soaps yesterday. A hot process Cool as a Cucumber soap with cucumber, aloe, and chamomile for after-sun skin. And a cold process Island Tropics soap that smells like a tropical fruit drink. Guess which soap is which - not all that difficult, is it?

You guessed it. Cool as a Cucumber soap above and my Island Tropics soap below. (Bet you wouldn't have known without my input).

I'm not sure if the tropical smell is going to hold but if not, I'll make a white soap and in-bed the shreds in the white soap.
Soap always seems to have a mind of it's own!

The "Perfect" Soap Recipe

Great article on the "Perfect" soap recipe from Modern Soapmaking

Here is a part of the article. The author really knows her stuff.

So, what is the secret to the best soap recipe?

Learning your fatty acid profiles, understanding your oil properties, and tweaking a formula to your liking is the name of the game.

Additive Testing – Lather Lover’s Swap 2012 (Check out the results right here!)

If you are looking to increase the size of the bubbles or the amount of lather, try:

• Increasing the percentage of oils that contribute to bubbly lather, like coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and babassu oil
• Decreasing the superfat of the total oils, as too many free oils can cut down on lather
• Using a lather increasing additive like sodium citrate, sodium lactate, sugar, or rosin
• Replacing the water with a lather booster that contains sugars, like beer or wine.

If you are looking to stabilize or sustain lather, try:

• Using castor oil at 5% to 10% of your recipe. (Be forewarned, using more than 15% castor oil tends to make the bar sticky, tacky, and rubbery.)
• Adding or increasing oils that support lather, like almond oil, lard, tallow, cocoa butter, palm oil, shea butter, or sunflower oil.
• Decreasing oils that do not contribute a lot to lather (or hinder it), like olive oil.

If you are looking to increase conditioning in a soap recipe, try:

• Replacing the water with alternative liquids, like goats milk (or other milks), yogurt, or aloe vera juice.
• Increasing the superfat of the total oils, to condition the skin.
• Adding or increasing nourishing oils, like apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, olive oil, rice bran oil, or sunflower oil.
• Adding “luxury oils” at 5% to 10%, like argan oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, hempseed oil, jojoba oil, meadowfoam oil, pumpkin seed oil, or wheatgerm oil.

If you are looking to increase bar hardness, try:

• Increasing your hard to soft oil ratio, by using a higher percentage of hard oils (oils that are solid at room temperature).
• Adding stearic acid at 0.5% to 1% of the total formula.
• Adding beeswax at 1% to 5% of the total formula.
• Adding sodium lactate at 1% to 3% of the total formula.

When that’s all said and done?

Remember, that these are all rough guidelines to help you find YOUR best soap recipe. Your soap recipe’s current oil and fatty acid profile will have a huge influence on whether these tips will work for you. When it comes down to it, learning the fatty acid profiles of each oil and what properties they contribute to your formula is the key to successful formulating.

If you are totally stuck on trying to get the features you want with your formula, let’s talk – I can help you get there.

Want a soap recipe to start off with?

Check out my soap making tutorials to see if a recipe strikes your fancy, like this recipe featuring silk or this one using cambrian blue clay. If you want to give it a go in formulating your own soap recipe, try this basic builder soap formula:

• 60% Hard Oils (Solid at Room Temperature)
  • 30% to 45% Lathering Hard Oils
  • 15% to 30% Conditioning Hard Oils
• 40% Soft Oils (Liquid at Room Temperature)
  • 20% to 30% Nourishing Soft Oils
  • 5% to 10% Luxury Soft Oils
  • 5% to 10% Castor Oil

Essential Oil Blends

I found a great chart on blending essential oils on jolie chose Aromatherapy & Natural Health Care

Blends - Essential Oil

		Successful blending is very gratifying and gives you confidence when working with oils. Experiment with 8-12 drops in your diffuser - it's a great way to learn your oils without using a lot. Here are some ideas to get you started: Lift - 5 drops geranium, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop neroli. Heaven - 3 drops palmarosa, 2 drops nutmeg, 1 drop spruce, 1 drop vetiver, 1 drop ylang ylang. At Ease - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops petitgrain, 3 drops bergamot. Tame - 3 drops lavender, 2 drops marjoram, 2 drops clary sage, 1 drop basil. Pillow - 6 drops lavender, 2 drops marjoram, 1 clary sage. Sacred - 4 drops frankincense, 4 drops myrrh. Blues - 2 drops clary sage, 2 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop basil, 1 drop sandalwood. Relax - 4 drops lavender, 4 drops rosemary. Incense - 2 drops sandalwood, 2 drops vanilla absolute, 2 drops patchouli, 2 drops geranium, 2 drops frankincense, 2 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop jasmine absolute, 1 drop neroli, 1 drop juniper, 1 drop cedarwood. Tribe - 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops cedarwood, 1 drop chamomile, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop rose, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop sandalwood, 1 drop frankincense, 1 drop neroli, 1 drop jasmine absolute. Delight - 4 drops white grapefruit, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop clove, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop sandalwood, 1 drop vanilla absolute. Citrus Delight - 3 drops white grapefruit, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop lime, 1 drop sweet orange, 1 drop tangerine. Lavender Fields - 3 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops sandalwood, 1 drop geranium. Exotic Rose - 5 drops geranium, 3 drops sandalwood, 2 drops ylang ylang. Tension Relief - 3 drops clary sage, 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops clove. White Roses - 3 drops geranium, 3 drops patchouli, 3 drops bergamot. Lemon Chiffon - 5 drops lemon, 3 drops rosemary. Floral - 5 drops rosewood, 4 drops palmarosa, 3 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops geranium, 1 drop patch, 1 drop frankincense. Mood - 3 drops sweet orange, 3 drops clary sage, 2 drops ylang ylang. Love - 4 drops vanilla absolute, 4 drops sandalwood, 2 drops rose, 2 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop frankincense, 1 drop geranium. Therapy - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops tea tree, 2 drops roman chamomile. Roses - 4 drops geranium, 2 drops rosewood, 2 drops palmarosa. Peppermint Zest - 3 drops peppermint, 3 drops spearmint, 2 drops rosemary. Dark - 4 drops sandalwood, 2 drops geranium, 2 drops patchouli. Ooooh-La-La-Lavender - 3 drops lavender, 2 drops sweet orange, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop cedarwood, 1 drop marjoram, 1 drop frankincense. Wood Rose - 3 drops geranium, 2 drops cedarwood, 2 drops sandalwood, 1 drop myrrh, 1 drop patchouli. Breathe - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops peppermint. Dark Eyes - 5 drops patchouli, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop cinnamon. Light - 3 drops juniper, 3 drops pink grapefruit, 1 drop sweet orange, 1 drop fennel. Swan - 5 drops geranium, 3 drops sandalwood. Northwest Comfort - 3 drops peppermint, 3 drops pine, 2 drops clary sage. Dark Rose - 4 drops patchouli, 3 drops geranium, 1 drop rose. Restore - 4 drops mint, 3 drops thyme, 1 drop lavender. Ocean - 4 drops rosemary, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops spearmint, 2 drops lemongrass. Calm - 4 drops geranium, 4 drops lavender. Awesome - 4 drops lemongrass, 4 drops peppermint. Voluptuous - 4 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops sandalwood, 2 drops clove. Nice - 3 drops lemongrass, 3 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops lavender. Spice - 3 drops cinnamon, 3 drops clove, 2 drops rosemary. Watery - 3 drops cedarwood, 3 drops lemongrass, 2 drops rosemary. Stress-less - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops roman chamomile, 2 drops clary sage. To Cry For - 4 drops clary sage, 4 drops lemongrass. Concentrate - 3 drops rosemary, 3 drops basil, 2 drops pine. Meadows - 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops tangerine. Tense-less - 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops eucalyptus. Sombre - 4 drops bergamot, 2 drops neroli, 1 drop jasmine, 1 drop spikenard. Christmas Celebration - 3 drops cinnamon, 2 drops sweet orange, 1 drop clove, 1 drop pine, 1 drop patchouli. Kick Back - 3 drops marjoram, 3 drops lemon, 2 drops roman chamomile. Inhale - 3 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops lemongrass. Smile - 4 drops grapefruit, 2 drops rosemary, 1 drop palmarosa. Head-No-Ache - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops marjoram, 2 drops peppermint. :-) - 4 drops lemon, 2 drops neroli, 1 drop lavender. Wake Up - 3 drops lemongrass, 3 drops jasmine absolute, 2 drops rosemary. Soft - 3 drops clary sage, 3 drops lemon, 2 drops lavender. Entice - 3 drops jasmine absolute, 2 drops sandalwood, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop patchouli, 1 drop sweet orange. Unwind - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 3 drops palmarosa. Indian Summer - 3 drops geranium, 2 drops grapefruit, 2 drops rosewood, 2 drops vanilla, 1 drop rose, 1 drop nutmeg, 1 drop sandalwood. Holiday Spice - 3 drops sweet orange, 2 drops cinnamon, 1 drop nutmeg, 1 drop clove, 1 drop frankincense. Stars - 4 drops lavender, 4 drops roman chamomile. Heal - 2 drops lemon, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop myrrh, 1 drop rosemary, 1 drop peppermint, 1 drop carrot seed. Gramma - 4 drops lime, 3 drops lavender, 1 drop lemongrass. Cleanse - 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lemongrass. Rain - 5 drops bergamot, 3 drops sandalwood. Earthy - 3 drops patchouli, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops geranium. Antique - 3 drops rosewood, 3 drops palmarosa, 3 drops sandalwood. Intrigue - 2 drops patchouli, 2 drops cedarwood, 2 drops clary sage, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop rose. Thrill Me - 4 drops patchouli, 2 drops ylang ylang, 2 drops lemon. Jade - 3 drops cedarwood, 2 drops cinnamon, 1 drop eucalyptus, 1 drop patchouli, 1 drop thyme. Fragrant - 4 drops palmarosa, 4 drops lavender. Harmony - 3 drops bergamot, 2 drops patchouli, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop grapefruit, 1 drop sweet orange. Towers - 4 drops basil, 4 drops rosewood. Exotic - 3 drops sandalwood, 2 drops sweet orange, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop rose. Bamboo - 4 drops lemongrass, 4 drops patchouli. Moonlight - 3 drops white grapefruit, 2 drops lime, 2 drops spearmint, 1 drop sandalwood. Fresh - 4 drops bergamot, 4 drops grapefruit. Hearth - 4 drops orange, 2 drops cinnamon, 2 drops clove. Glee - 3 drops geranium, 3 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops bergamot. Bliss - 3 drops orange, 3 drops lemon, 2 drops vanilla absolute. Summer - 4 drops geranium, 3 drops clary sage, 2 drops lemon. December - 4 drops pine, 2 drops clove, 2 drops peppermint. Comfort - 4 drops spearmint, 3 drops sweet orange, 2 drops spruce, 1 drop clary sage. Sweet - 3 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops vetiver, 2 drops lime. Be Happy - 3 drops lime, 3 drops sweet orange, 2 drops roman chamomile, 1 drop neroli, 1 drop patchouli. Happy Happy Joy Joy - 2 drops rose, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop sweet orange, 1 drop bergamot, 1 drop mandarin, 1 drop geranium, 1 drop ylang ylang. Sweat & Tears - 4 drops rosemary, 4 drops pine, 3 drops black pepper, 3 drops grapefruit. (good muscle rub) Protect - 2 drops clove, 2 drops lemon, 2 drops cinnamon, 1 drop eucalyptus, 1 drop rosemary. Buzz Off - 4 drops citronella, 3 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops peppermint. Methinks Vicks - 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop thyme, 1 drop peppermint. Sea Breeze - 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops lavender, 1 drop eucalyptus. Deep - 3 drops sweet orange, 3 drops grapefruit, 1 drop patchouli, 1 drop ylang ylang. Ocean Breeze - 3 drops lavender, 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop eucalyptus. Sleep - 2 drops sweet orange, 2 drops rosewood, 1 drop mandarin, 1 drop cedarwood, 1 drop clary sage, 1 drop lavender. Wind Down - 2 drops geranium, 2 drops rose, 2 drops sandalwood, 1 drop frankincense, 1 drop lavender. Serenity - 3 drops sandalwood, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops spruce. Purify - 2 drops tea tree, 2 drops eucalyptus, 1 drop oregano, 1 drop cinnamon, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop sandalwood. Focus - 2 drops basil, 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops pine, 2 drops lemon. Shnugs - 3 drops jasmine absolute, 2 drops rose, 1 drop patchouli, 1 drop neroli, 1 drop sandalwood. Open Space - 3 drops cedarwood, 3 drops balsam, 2 drops spikenard. Rush - 3 drops coriander, 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops mandarin, 1 drop grapefruit. Strong - 1 drop lemon, 1 drop grapefruit, 1 drop rosemary, 1 drop thyme, 1 drop ginger, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop peppermint. Loving Hands - 3 drops chamomile, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops sweet orange. Uplift - 3 drops juniper, 3 drops pine, 2 drops lemon. Baby Love - 3 drops lavender, 3 drop chamomile, 1 drop melissa, 1 drop rose. Christmas Eve - 1 drop orange, 1 drop tangerine, 1 drop frankincense, 1 drop pine, 1 drop fennel, 1 drop clove, 1 drop cinnamon, 1 drop peppermint. Paris - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 2 drops ylang ylang. Winter - 4 drops spruce, 4 drops cedarwood. Love & Peace - 4 drops patchouli, 4 drops sandalwood. Excite - 2 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop cedarwood, 1 drop grapefruit, 1 drop bergamot, 1 drop basil, 1 drop rosemary, 1 drop peppermint. Sugar Cookie - 3 drops vanilla absolute, 3 drops cardamom, 2 drops nutmeg. Evergreen - 3 drops spruce, 3 drops pine, 2 drops fir. Geni - 3 drops geranium, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops sandalwood. Together - 2 drops tangerine, 1 drop sandalwood, 1 drop ylang ylang, 1 drop rosewood, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop sweet orange, 1 drop patchouli. Unique - 4 drops helichrysum, 4 drops roman chamomile. Sensual - 3 drops sweet orange, 2 drops patchouli, 2 drops ylang ylang, 1 drop nutmeg. Sensitive - 4 drops roman chamomile, 2 drops sandalwood, 2 drops lavender. Clear - 3 drops sweet orange, 3 drops tea tree, 2 drops peppermint. TIngle - 3 drops tea tree, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lavender. Stress Release - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops bergamot, 2 drops sandalwood. Rich - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops frankincense, 2 drops geranium. Schnoz - 3 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops peppermint, 2 drops pine. Hint - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops sweet orange. Sweet Dreams - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops marjoram, 2 drops lemon. Soothing - 5 drops vanilla absolute, 3 drops lavender. Pick Me Up - 4 drops lemon, 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea trea. Bathtime - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops sweet orange, 2 drops vanilla absolute. Peace - 4 drops sandalwood, 4 drops frankincense. No Sugar - 4 drops cinnamon, 2 drops nutmeg, 2 drops clove. Endure - 5 drops lemon, 3 drops peppermint. Deep Purple - 4 drops marjoram, 4 drops chamomile. Lemon Ice - 3 drops lemon, 1 drop tea tree, 1 drop myrrh, 1 drop rosemary, 1 drop peppermint, 1 drop carrot seed. Mulled - 4 drops cinnamon, 4 drops clove. Take Me Away - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops mandarin, 2 drops ylang ylang. Blue - 4 drops lavender, 4 drops fir. Romance - 3 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops sandalwood, 2 drops sweet orange. Meditate - 4 drops patchouli, 4 drops frankincense. Happy - 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops jasmine absolute, 2 drops rosemary. Up - 4 drops basil, 4 drops lime. Cool - 4 drops spearmint, 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops lavender. Pure - 5 drops cinnamon, 3 drops spearmint. Moody - 4 drops sandalwood, 2 drops clove, 2 drops jasmine absolute. Clarity - 5 drops sweet orange, 3 drops cedarwood. Vital - 3 drops rosemary, 3 drops basil, 2 drops peppermint. Stir - 4 drops peppermint, 4 drops eucalyptus. Celestial - 4 drops sandalwood, 4 drops rose. Radiant - 5 drops sweet orange, 3 drops lemongrass. Ease - 4 drops lavender, 3 drops petigrain, 1 drop frankincense. Quirk - 5 drops pink grapefruit, 3 drops petitgrain. Crazy - 6 drops sweet orange, 6 drops grapefruit, 5 drops tangerine, 5 drops mandarin, 2 drops bergamot, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop lime, 1 drop litsea cubeba, 1 drop ginger, 1 drop lemongrass. Timeless - 4 drops frankincense, 4 drops lavender. Serene - 4 drops lavender, 4 drops ylang ylang. Amethyst - 5 drops lavender, 3 drops ylang ylang. Sparkle - 6 drops neroli, 2 drops peppermint. Insight - 4 drops bergamot, 4 drops lime. Peace, Man - 4 drops patchouli, 4 drops rosemary. Tranquil - 4 drops lavender, 4 drops tangerine. Breathe Again - 4 drops lavender, 2 drops frankincense, 1 drop pine, 1 drop eucalyptus. Amber - 4 drops fennel, 4 drops cinnamon. Energize - 3 drops peppermint, 3 drops lemon, 2 drops rosemary. Crunchy - 4 drops ginger, 4 drops patchouli. Hed Coad - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops eucalyptus. Romantic - 4 drops ylang ylang, 4 drops jasmine absolute. Silk - 4 drops geranium (or rose), 4 drops rosemary. Passion - 5 drops ylang ylang, 3 drops nutmeg. Loosen - 3 drops lavender, 3 drops rosemary, 2 drops grapefruit. Pink - 4 drops geranium, 4 drops palmarosa. Balance - 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops lavender, 2 drops geranium.