Brambleberry Melt and Pour Shaving Soap Base

So, I got a few pounds of the stuff to try and melt into mugs.(my favorite style).

Plan of stuff to add:

-couple drops of pure Tea Tree Oil
-a bit of pure Aloe Vera Gel.

I added Aloe Vera gel before to VDH Deluxe after melting it, and it turned out totally fine. Just want your guys' opinions on that and the addition of pure Tea Tree Oil. I'm going to melt a 1/4 pound and then distribute it into a shave mug and see how it is.

 

Just tried it today. Took 3 lathers to get the weird top layer off, then it was fantastic with an Omega 98. It didn't explode(probably still getting that weird top layer off with an unbroken-in brush), but the protection and slide was there even with a thin layer. For the first time in a long time, it gave me a very comfortable and smooth bloodless shave.

Additional fix-ins
-Bentonite clay
-24k IU Vitamin E Oil from Trader Joe's. A few drops.

 

Interesting project.
But...it needs photos

 

Glycerine-based soaps tend to form that "weird top layer" as they cool down and set. The layer will interfere with making a good lather, but it's nothing that a good hot water soak and some scraping with your fingernail won't cure (remove). Then, you get to the soapy goodness beneath.

 

I definitely will. I figure that for basically $5 a pound(3.30 a pound plus like 8 or 9 dollars shipping for 5 pounds), I can make myself alot of really good shave soap that is basically the same base used by the Etsy Artisan soapmakers like Kell Dragon and Eva Nesterova. I'm not ever going to make it to sell.

 

Yeah, that's what I've heard so far. I'm definitely keeping the faith. Even with a kind of weird lather, it gave me awesome protection and a bloodless shave. Even with Stirling, I usually have the one or two random stupid weepers.

 

Just after you pour your soap into a mold, spray it with a little alcohol. That will get rid of the bubbles that form on the top & allow it to solidify without that annoying top layer. And the alcohol will evaporate quickly.

 

M&P takes a bit to settle down..after all, in the melting process you've in effect, taken the soap apart and some time is needed for things to coalesce. Your lather should improve considerably after a few days...

 

Okay, thanks for the advice. Also, what do you think about the "fix-ins" that I added?

Good ideas or bad ideas?

 

So, then the couple that I make for Christmas presents, I should make about a week before I send 'em out.

 

Imho, needs more cow bell.

 

Haha yeah. Well, I'm using up one full 1 pound block of Soap base to make mugs for my girlfriend's Dad and my best friend.

 

I think adding aloe & tea tree oil should be fine.

 

I week lead out should be plenty...

 

Okay, thanks .

 

Okay thank you . I just needed some confirmation. For my next tester batch for myself ...I'm going to use the Fragrance Oil that she sent me instead of Tea Tree Oil.

 

Just have fun with it. Play with different scents and mix in different additives. There's really no wrong or right as long as you're happy with the results. People dis melt and pour soap for some reason, but it's just a base. There's a lot you can do with it that takes it to another level.

 

For sure. If I can make 5 pounds of shave soap for basically $25, that's ridiculously good.
I just made the second tester mug, and I used alcohol to spritz the top and I added the FO instead of TTO, and so far so good while it cures. I don't see that horrible bubble layer. I'll take some pics tomorrow with a lather shot when I shave.

 

@Sara-s When I made my shower soap (Brambleberry melt and pour goats milk), you suggested steric acid to make the soap harder and last longer. Would that help with @GeneralKinetics shave soap, as well?

 

Yes, definitely. Glad you remebered to mention it.