Very Fast Soap Trace

by Larry Mitchell
(Lafayette, LA)

I made a small test batch of soap that firmed up very fast, even before adding the EO blend and about 20 seconds after adding the Coconut Milk and Lye while using a whisk. I almost didn't get it into the mold. What in this recipe would have made it firm up so fast?

Castor Oil (1.82 oz) 10%
Cocoa Butter (0.55 oz) 3%
Coconut Oil (4.56 oz) 25%
Olive Oil Pomace 31%
Palm Oil (4.56 oz) 25%
Shea Butter (0.55 oz) 3%
Sweet Almond Oil (0.55 oz) 3%
EO Blend (1.03 oz) 3.6%
Vit. E (0.07 oz) 0.2%
Kaolin Clay (0.36 oz) 1.3%
Coconut Milk 21.9% (6.23 oz) (0% water discount)
Lye 8.7% (2.46 oz) (Discount 8%)

Thanks for your help...

Larry
Lafayette, LA

Answer:

Hi Larry,

Cocoa Butter, Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Palm oil and Pomace oil are all known for their quick tracing abilities.

The culprit, I think, is the Pomace oil. Pomace oil is rich in unsaponifiables and often reacts with other oils (cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter and palm oil) bringing the soap to a ridiculously rapid trace.

I would highly recommend removing the Pomace oil in this recipe and replacing it with a regular grade Olive oil.

Other than the rapid trace, the recipe looks like a keeper!!

Good luck,
Cathy