Sheesh! If I read one more, “Coconut oil is very drying if used above 15/20/25%!!!” statement, I’ll snap! Why do so many soapmakers speak as if that’s a given, when it clearly is not.

Yes, I’ve only been  making soap for over a year, and that’s a “truth” that’s simply not true, in all cases. I have a 70% coconut oil soap, and it’s delightful! You know why? Because it’s got 15% refined hempseed oil and 15% unrefined shea butter, and it’s superfatted at…you guessed it…15%. It works for my skin, and none of my testers reported dryness.  It’s my “luxury” soap, and I’m still waiting for the DOS (I’m saving a hunk, to see what happens over time).

So, what am I saying? High percentages of coconut oil aren’t necessarily drying to the skin. It depends on YOUR skin, and the soap formulation (including superfat percentage). I wish folks would say, “I haven’t been able to formulate a recipe with higher percentages of coconut oil that didn’t dry out MY skin”, and leave it at that.

NEA

We’re still receiving boxes and sampling goodies, but it’s all good.  It’s so much fun receiving a box full of goodies in the mail. Folks are already looking forward to Christmas.  Take a look at the pics!

NEA

That’s why I don’t post pics of most of my soaps. They’re all (the majority) some shade of…brown. I’m not really feelin’ the liquid soap dyes I have now (too messy), and I’m on the hunt for something new.  I just sliced up my second beer soap! It’s made with Voodoo Brewery’s Wynona’s Big Brown Ale. I like the smell of it, right out of the mold, better than my first beer soap.

With 10% unrefined Shea, it’s got a splash of Agave Nectar (my new vegan “honey”), and a touch of nutmeg. That’s it. No added fragrance or color. A pic is coming. But let me warn you: It’s brown soap.

NEA