100% Shea Butter Soap

by Janice
(Columbia, SC, USA)

I want to make a soap with 100% Shea butter. Will it lather and have nice bubbles?

Answer:

I've not attempted to make a soap that contained 100% Shea butter but the idea is definately intriguing and might be something to add to my list of "to do's".

If I was to give it a try, my first thought would be to hand stir the batter with a whisk or spoon rather than with a stick blender. This is due to my concern that the high percentage of stearic acid in the shea butter would prematurely sieze the soap batter.

I would also suggest using the full amount of recommended water, 38%, for the same reason.

You asked if the soap would lather. Yes it will lather but it will not be a thick and bubbly lather.

Rather than making a soap that is 100% Shea butter, my suggestion would be to make something with a high amount of shea butter but include a small amount of coconut oil, castor oil and olive to increase the bubbling ability.

Something like this might work nicely:

Shea Butter - 60%
Coconut Oil - 20%
Olive Oil - 15%
Castor Oil - 5%

I'd have an 8 - 10% superfat; 38% water as a % of oils and would stir by hand then whisk if possible. I would use the regular CP method for soapmaking and not the room temperature method. I would also leave this soap competely natural. Any colour (if I added any even) would be from botanical matter and I would not add any scent.

Thanks for asking this question! I think I might give it a try myself.

Good luck and remember to take lots of notes when experimenting.

Cathy