Crystalized lye?

by Kristan
(Silver Plume, CO)

I've been making the same recipe for a number of years, pouring into a 12" bar and cutting individual bars.

Recently I tried pouring into moulds. As they cure, tiny clear very caustic bubbles form on top which then harden into small crystal-like beads.

I am using geranium essential oil and the mix does trace rather quickly. When I make the same soap using lavender it does not do this.

Since this liquid-turned-crystaline is so caustic I assume it is lye. Why is it doing this? Thanks for any suggestions you may have. Kristan

Answer:

I'm not sure why this is happening. It does sound like it's linked to the essential oil.

Try bringing the soap to a thick trace and then quickly add in the geranium essential oil at the very last minute. Perhaps laying a piece of cling film on top will also help or once the soap gels, you can open it up and place a fan on it. This might help stop caustic condensation from resettling on the soap and drying there.

Another thing to try would be to use a different brand of Geranium essential oil. Maybe there is something in it from the manufacturing process that is causing this to occur.

Good luck,
Cathy