Soap Making for $$

[daisy]

Hello All !!

I'm starting this thread to discuss soap making and selling.  I know that Sweetdreams makes soap and that Steph08 makes and sells as well and if there is anyone else who does or wants to - jump in!  

I got my start after attending a class on Essential Oils given by my now-mentor.  She has studied aromatherapy for many years and is a great resource for many on using EOs and that has morphed into teaching classes during the winter months.  She has also added soap making classes and that's what has prompted me into making not just for family and friends but also to sell for extra $$.  I'm a relatively creative person so this was an easy transition for me.  Mixing colors, and scents and swirling the soap batter around is very reminiscent of baking, which is another love of mine.  My mentor suggested that I pursue this as a great way to make extra money (she knows we are sinking a ton of $$ into THIS Old House) and I figured, "Why not?".  So here I am, 3 events later with one more next month, wishing it was March right now because I wouldn't be looking for a full time job and instead signing up for every market or fair I could.  

I make and sell soap, laundry butter, bath salts, body butter, sugar scrubs and lip balms.  I think that's a pretty accurate summary, although I do plan to add a lot more options before I resume selling at fairs next summer.  My soaps are made from vegetable oils; Olive, Coconut, Palm, Sunflower, Canola, Castor, Almond, Grapeseed, Avocado and beeswax.  A lot of soap makers use lard and tallow but I'm more of a veggie kinda girl.  Supposedly lard soap is amazing on your skin...but, it's just not me.

Today in the mail I received 2 pounds of Laurel Berry Oil, an oil I've been anxiously awaiting to purchase.  Laurel Berry oil is mixed with olive oil and together they make Aleppo soap, which is the first documented bar of soap ever.  History and tradition on this soap go back 13 centuries!  The properties of the olive and laurel berry oils are supposed to be amazing for your skin.  Mild and moisturizing, it's a great soap for those with skin conditions like eczma and psoriasis.  There are lots of people who attest to effectiveness of it; I'm going to have to wait until it cures for 6-9 months to find our for myself!  The oil, from a reputable source, is not cheap.  I paid $50 for two pounds, which means my bars of soap will have to sell for around $10 each if I plan to continue to make this soap.  I haven't put it all into my calculator yet so I'll have a better idea of pricing after I do that.

So that's my introduction - feel free to ask questions or make comments.  I don't mind sharing recipes or the costs of things with everyone, there's a lot of good information on the internet - I guess I was just super lucky to have a mentor to steer me in the right direction so I'm good with passing on my knowledge to anyone who wants it!   Thanks for letting me share my passion.

[weltschmerz]

Just out of curiousity, does the laurel berry oil smell like bay leaves?

[daisy]

Oct 7, 2015 17:45:11 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Just out of curiousity, does the laurel berry oil smell like bay leaves?

It has a smokey, spicy kind of like bbq sauce smell...I know that sounds weird, but it seems like to most people, it's a nasty smell.  I will have to see what it smells like mixed with olive oil.

[Deleted]

Yey, a soap thread!  
I don't make any money selling my soap but I do recoup some costs from  selling to friends and family. Insurance isn't cheap and I'm not ready to sell in the marketplace so I have not purchased insurance yet.  I can only sell to people I know won't try to sue me. Not that my soap is dangerous at all, the opposite , it's great and safe but there are some scary stories of scammers out there so I'm very cautious.
I started making it because of eczema in the winter that would drive me mad with itching. It has been a lifesaver to my skin and has helped way beyond  what I had even hoped for. I'm not sure if it is entirely because of what is in or maybe because of what isn't in it but it works for me.
I normally use olive, coconut, palm, palm kernel,  almond, avocado,  sunflower, castor,  combos and if it's just for me I use lard. My skin just loves the stuff !
I do make some all veggie soaps but those are normally for others. I don't have any problems with them at all , just not my personal preference.
I love experimenting with the oils , creating new recipes and analyzing them.
I am going to have to ask daisy to sell me a bar of the Aleppo soap as I have always wanted to try it. I wonder if anyone is even able to make soap in Aleppo anymore. In the pics I have seen it looks inhabitable.
 I don't love baking or cooking even much really . DH says all we have to eat here is soap! He exaggerates some.
@pinkcshmere, You should  try some homemade soaps . If you like them 
you can make some custom fit to your own skin type. It's not hard. A little intimidating at first but not hard. We will help you.
Forgive all my typing errors in this post please. I'm beat, gotta get to bed.

[NancysSummerSip]

Oct 7, 2015 16:16:24 GMT -5 daisy said:

Hello All !!

I'm starting this thread to discuss soap making and selling.  I know that Sweetdreams makes soap and that Steph08 makes and sells as well and if there is anyone else who does or wants to - jump in!  

I got my start after attending a class on Essential Oils given by my now-mentor.  She has studied aromatherapy for many years and is a great resource for many on using EOs and that has morphed into teaching classes during the winter months.  She has also added soap making classes and that's what has prompted me into making not just for family and friends but also to sell for extra $$.  I'm a relatively creative person so this was an easy transition for me.  Mixing colors, and scents and swirling the soap batter around is very reminiscent of baking, which is another love of mine.  My mentor suggested that I pursue this as a great way to make extra money (she knows we are sinking a ton of $$ into THIS Old House) and I figured, "Why not?".  So here I am, 3 events later with one more next month, wishing it was March right now because I wouldn't be looking for a full time job and instead signing up for every market or fair I could.  

I make and sell soap, laundry butter, bath salts, body butter, sugar scrubs and lip balms.  I think that's a pretty accurate summary, although I do plan to add a lot more options before I resume selling at fairs next summer.  My soaps are made from vegetable oils; Olive, Coconut, Palm, Sunflower, Canola, Castor, Almond, Grapeseed, Avocado and beeswax.  A lot of soap makers use lard and tallow but I'm more of a veggie kinda girl.  Supposedly lard soap is amazing on your skin...but, it's just not me.

Today in the mail I received 2 pounds of Laurel Berry Oil, an oil I've been anxiously awaiting to purchase.  Laurel Berry oil is mixed with olive oil and together they make Aleppo soap, which is the first documented bar of soap ever.  History and tradition on this soap go back 13 centuries!  The properties of the olive and laurel berry oils are supposed to be amazing for your skin.  Mild and moisturizing, it's a great soap for those with skin conditions like eczma and psoriasis.  There are lots of people who attest to effectiveness of it; I'm going to have to wait until it cures for 6-9 months to find our for myself!  The oil, from a reputable source, is not cheap.  I paid $50 for two pounds, which means my bars of soap will have to sell for around $10 each if I plan to continue to make this soap.  I haven't put it all into my calculator yet so I'll have a better idea of pricing after I do that.

So that's my introduction - feel free to ask questions or make comments.  I don't mind sharing recipes or the costs of things with everyone, there's a lot of good information on the internet - I guess I was just super lucky to have a mentor to steer me in the right direction so I'm good with passing on my knowledge to anyone who wants it!   Thanks for letting me share my passion.

We have a poster on the EE thread who also makes and sells soap and related items. It's Steff. Maybe you two should PM and commiserate on your shared passion.

[Deleted]

This brings back a nightmare.  DS and I made soap for his school bazaar a few years ago.  It was our first attempt at it ever and we did not do a very good job.  He put some kind of potpourri or leaves of some sort in it for decorative effect, but it just ended up looking really nasty.

They all sold though! 

[daisy]

Oct 8, 2015 3:16:30 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

Yey, a soap thread!  
I don't make any money selling my soap but I do recoup some costs from  selling to friends and family. Insurance isn't cheap and I'm not ready to sell in the marketplace so I have not purchased insurance yet.  I can only sell to people I know won't try to sue me. Not that my soap is dangerous at all, the opposite , it's great and safe but there are some scary stories of scammers out there so I'm very cautious.
I started making it because of eczema in the winter that would drive me mad with itching. It has been a lifesaver to my skin and has helped way beyond  what I had even hoped for. I'm not sure if it is entirely because of what is in or maybe because of what isn't in it but it works for me.
I normally use olive, coconut, palm, palm kernel,  almond, avocado,  sunflower, castor,  combos and if it's just for me I use lard. My skin just loves the stuff !
I do make some all veggie soaps but those are normally for others. I don't have any problems with them at all , just not my personal preference.
I love experimenting with the oils , creating new recipes and analyzing them.
I am going to have to ask daisy to sell me a bar of the Aleppo soap as I have always wanted to try it. I wonder if anyone is even able to make soap in Aleppo anymore. In the pics I have seen it looks inhabitable.
 I don't love baking or cooking even much really . DH says all we have to eat here is soap! He exaggerates some.
@pinkcshmere, You should  try some homemade soaps . If you like them 
you can make some custom fit to your own skin type. It's not hard. A little intimidating at first but not hard. We will help you.
Forgive all my typing errors in this post please. I'm beat, gotta get to bed.

Sweetdreams - From what I've read about Aleppo, it sounds like 2012 was really the last time true Aleppo soap was produced in Syria.  The soapmakers have fled and make the soap in other countries but since the militia occupies Aleppo, no one produces there which is a horribly sad end to a 2,000 year old tradition.     Have you ever watched the videos on YouTube about the process?  I'ts amazing - they make thousands and thousands of bars at a time and lay it out on concrete floors where they have to walk across it to cut it when it's cured.  Sort of reminds me of laying concrete, they way the push it across the floor with a bull float tool.

As a fellow soap maker I would love to share a my soap with you....6-9 months from now.     I posted on a soap making thread and some people who make it via hot process use it as few as 4 months in, but with cold process it's still slimy at that point.  Have you ever tried HP?  I've a bit of trepidation towards changing what I know how to do, but I do have a crock pot sitting there waiting to be used.

I agree, Pink Cashmere - if you have the opportunity to try a truly homemade soap made strictly with vegetable oils or lard but not with any sort of chemicals, you will notice a difference in your skin very quickly.  I'm with Sweetdreams, my skin LOVES homemade soap - and my DH is my most shining example of the skin benefits.  He used to walk around with cracked, dry and bleeding hands all year long.  We were constantly trying new creams and lotions in an attempt to stem the damage - about a month or so after using soap I made he noticed that his hands were no longer getting as dry, and now 9 months later, they are completely healed.  My bottles of hand lotion are sitting in a bag waiting to be dropped off at a local shelter - as well as bars of my soap.     For me too, I've noticed a huge change.  I showered at my mom's house with a bottle of liquid 'moisturizing' soap...well, within seconds of exiting the shower I was hunting for a bottle of lotion because my skin just dried up instantly due to the chemicals in the 'soap'.  

Anyway, I'm kind of passionate about the benefits of soap!  Thanks for joining me here!

[daisy]

Oct 8, 2015 8:58:44 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

This brings back a nightmare.  DS and I made soap for his school bazaar a few years ago.  It was our first attempt at it ever and we did not do a very good job.  He put some kind of potpourri or leaves of some sort in it for decorative effect, but it just ended up looking really nasty.

They all sold though! 

Ooops, sorry for the bad memories!  I'm sorry your first attempt turned out so nasty looking but I'm glad shoppers were able to see past that and purchase from your son!  Herbs and leaves and such in soaps is something that can go bad quickly I hear.  I have used oats and lavender buds in my soaps as well as mint leaves and sometimes it looks great...and other times, not so much.  I'm staying away from oats on the tops of my soaps because they just fall off and then they look weird, like half finished or something.  I'm using a soap made by another soap maker and she used dried Calendula flowers in hers and it's a great for exfoliation and the bar smells lovely.  Did you use any of the soap you made?  If so, did you like it?

[megaptera]

I enjoy soap making. I've only ever done hot process, but some of the designs made with cold process are amazing. I usually use a mixture of lard or tallow, coconut oil, and olive oil. Sometimes I use essential oils or herb-infused oils. Every batch is different; I like to experiment. I was a chemist in my previous life, so soap-making really appeals to me.  I don't make it to sell though, just for personal use or to give away to family and friends.

[Abby Normal]

I was actually messing around with this a couple weeks ago.  I just went with a simple melt and pour to dip my toe in at trying it.

It wasn't disastrous, so I might actually take a next step into a cold process and see how it works. 

[Deleted]

Oct 8, 2015 10:46:00 GMT -5 daisy said:

Oct 8, 2015 8:58:44 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

This brings back a nightmare.  DS and I made soap for his school bazaar a few years ago.  It was our first attempt at it ever and we did not do a very good job.  He put some kind of potpourri or leaves of some sort in it for decorative effect, but it just ended up looking really nasty.

They all sold though! 

Ooops, sorry for the bad memories!  I'm sorry your first attempt turned out so nasty looking but I'm glad shoppers were able to see past that and purchase from your son!  Herbs and leaves and such in soaps is something that can go bad quickly I hear.  I have used oats and lavender buds in my soaps as well as mint leaves and sometimes it looks great...and other times, not so much.  I'm staying away from oats on the tops of my soaps because they just fall off and then they look weird, like half finished or something.  I'm using a soap made by another soap maker and she used dried Calendula flowers in hers and it's a great for exfoliation and the bar smells lovely.  Did you use any of the soap you made?  If so, did you like it?

Soap way too small (think little decorative hearts), leaves way too big...and way too many.  You would wash your hands and all this sludgy crap would come out of the soap. 

I think pretty much everything sells at the holiday bazaar.  It's a fundraiser for the school and teachers and parents buy up everything the kids make.  Our next year with mini pies was much more successful.

[kristinkle]

I would love to learn to make homemade soap!

I know I should do searches but is there a "best" basic recipe you follow?  Pumpkin soap would be nice this time of year.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Out of curiosity, do you make soaps without scents?  Absolutely everything that I have ever seen handmade has is scented and that's not going to run here.

This is my biggest gripe.  I HATE scented anything and go out of my way to buy things scentless.  SO gets a headache, so it's just easier to avoid it altogether.  Hell, even walking by something like the candle stores in the mall can send him into a migraine.

[The Captain]

Oct 7, 2015 16:16:24 GMT -5 daisy said:

Hello All !!

...

Today in the mail I received 2 pounds of Laurel Berry Oil, an oil I've been anxiously awaiting to purchase.  Laurel Berry oil is mixed with olive oil and together they make Aleppo soap, which is the first documented bar of soap ever.  History and tradition on this soap go back 13 centuries!  The properties of the olive and laurel berry oils are supposed to be amazing for your skin.  Mild and moisturizing, it's a great soap for those with skin conditions like eczma and psoriasis.  There are lots of people who attest to effectiveness of it; I'm going to have to wait until it cures for 6-9 months to find our for myself!  The oil, from a reputable source, is not cheap.  I paid $50 for two pounds, which means my bars of soap will have to sell for around $10 each if I plan to continue to make this soap.  I haven't put it all into my calculator yet so I'll have a better idea of pricing after I do that.

So that's my introduction - feel free to ask questions or make comments.  I don't mind sharing recipes or the costs of things with everyone, there's a lot of good information on the internet - I guess I was just super lucky to have a mentor to steer me in the right direction so I'm good with passing on my knowledge to anyone who wants it!   Thanks for letting me share my passion.

Thank you so much for posting this! I learned something new!!!

I did some research on the soap you mentioned, and based on prices for comparable products on Amazon $10 a bar isn't out of line.

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check.  Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief. 

I'll get one of these bars to see what it does for me.  If nothing else it will be good for my normal skin.

[daisy]

Oct 8, 2015 11:19:54 GMT -5 Abby Normal said:

I was actually messing around with this a couple weeks ago.  I just went with a simple melt and pour to dip my toe in at trying it.

It wasn't disastrous, so I might actually take a next step into a cold process and see how it works. 

Please do !  It's so much fun; especially as there are several of us here who make it and would love to help out.  Have you watched any Soap Queen videos on YouTube?  She's amazing and has absolute beginner videos on through advanced.  She gives recipes and shows you the steps from beginning to end; I learned so much practical knowledge from her.  Lye is dangerous, but if you wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection and approach it as cautiously as possible, you will be fine.  I know a lot of people freak out about it....but really, it's not bad.  Keep us posted! 

[daisy]

Oct 9, 2015 11:34:31 GMT -5 kristinkle said:

I would love to learn to make homemade soap!

I know I should do searches but is there a "best" basic recipe you follow?  Pumpkin soap would be nice this time of year.

Check out Soap Queen on YouTube (seriously, I am not the SQ nor is she a friend)  - she's just a great resource for beginners.  She gives entire recipes for every soap she makes and walks you through the process.  My recipe is Coconut oil, Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil and Beeswax.  There are ratios for each oil as they perform different functions in a finished bar.  Castor Oil makes bubbles, but too much makes soap slimy.  Beeswax makes the bars harder but too much means your soap sets up too quickly and you can't make fun swirls!  If you plan to get into soapmaking check out soapcalc.com - it's a resource wherein you put your chosen oils in either as a percentage or by oz/lb/gram and after calculating the recipe it gives you your water amount/lye amount/fragrance etc.  It's great!  

The ratio of oils to lye is critical because you need enough oils to mix with the lye to make soap. It's ok to have extra oil - this is called superfatting and it makes bars extra moisturizing..but too much makes them soft and smushy.     

Please do lots of research before jumping in, there are lots and lots of answers and videos out there to help - and I'm sure the soapmakers on this forum will be glad to help too.

Also - there is a method called 'melt and pour' which might be an option.  Its where you use a basic soap base - I think Michael's might carry it? - and you put in your fragrance or whatever else you might want to use (ground oatmeal/color/etc) and voila, you have soap!  I have not done this method so I don't have any suggestions but I know this is covered on the internet as well if you search for directions.

[Deleted]

Oct 8, 2015 10:40:27 GMT -5 daisy said:

Oct 8, 2015 3:16:30 GMT -5 @xmascookie said:

Yey, a soap thread!  
I don't make any money selling my soap but I do recoup some costs from  selling to friends and family. Insurance isn't cheap and I'm not ready to sell in the marketplace so I have not purchased insurance yet.  I can only sell to people I know won't try to sue me. Not that my soap is dangerous at all, the opposite , it's great and safe but there are some scary stories of scammers out there so I'm very cautious.
I started making it because of eczema in the winter that would drive me mad with itching. It has been a lifesaver to my skin and has helped way beyond  what I had even hoped for. I'm not sure if it is entirely because of what is in or maybe because of what isn't in it but it works for me.
I normally use olive, coconut, palm, palm kernel,  almond, avocado,  sunflower, castor,  combos and if it's just for me I use lard. My skin just loves the stuff !
I do make some all veggie soaps but those are normally for others. I don't have any problems with them at all , just not my personal preference.
I love experimenting with the oils , creating new recipes and analyzing them.
I am going to have to ask daisy to sell me a bar of the Aleppo soap as I have always wanted to try it. I wonder if anyone is even able to make soap in Aleppo anymore. In the pics I have seen it looks inhabitable.
 I don't love baking or cooking even much really . DH says all we have to eat here is soap! He exaggerates some.
@pinkcshmere, You should  try some homemade soaps . If you like them 
you can make some custom fit to your own skin type. It's not hard. A little intimidating at first but not hard. We will help you.
Forgive all my typing errors in this post please. I'm beat, gotta get to bed.

Sweetdreams - From what I've read about Aleppo, it sounds like 2012 was really the last time true Aleppo soap was produced in Syria.  The soapmakers have fled and make the soap in other countries but since the militia occupies Aleppo, no one produces there which is a horribly sad end to a 2,000 year old tradition.     Have you ever watched the videos on YouTube about the process?  I'ts amazing - they make thousands and thousands of bars at a time and lay it out on concrete floors where they have to walk across it to cut it when it's cured.  Sort of reminds me of laying concrete, they way the push it across the floor with a bull float tool.

As a fellow soap maker I would love to share a my soap with you....6-9 months from now.     I posted on a soap making thread and some people who make it via hot process use it as few as 4 months in, but with cold process it's still slimy at that point.  Have you ever tried HP?  I've a bit of trepidation towards changing what I know how to do, but I do have a crock pot sitting there waiting to be used.

I agree, Pink Cashmere - if you have the opportunity to try a truly homemade soap made strictly with vegetable oils or lard but not with any sort of chemicals, you will notice a difference in your skin very quickly.  I'm with Sweetdreams, my skin LOVES homemade soap - and my DH is my most shining example of the skin benefits.  He used to walk around with cracked, dry and bleeding hands all year long.  We were constantly trying new creams and lotions in an attempt to stem the damage - about a month or so after using soap I made he noticed that his hands were no longer getting as dry, and now 9 months later, they are completely healed.  My bottles of hand lotion are sitting in a bag waiting to be dropped off at a local shelter - as well as bars of my soap.     For me too, I've noticed a huge change.  I showered at my mom's house with a bottle of liquid 'moisturizing' soap...well, within seconds of exiting the shower I was hunting for a bottle of lotion because my skin just dried up instantly due to the chemicals in the 'soap'.  

Anyway, I'm kind of passionate about the benefits of soap!  Thanks for joining me here!

My 1st couple batches were Hot Process in the crockpot. It looked a little less messy . I used this video for instruction

They turned out pretty good but they are more primitive looking than Cold Process and it's hard to do pretty swirls and things. It's not a bad way to start if you don't mind a more rustic looking soap. The advantages are you can usually use less fragrance with HP because you add it at the end of saponification and you can use the soap right away, no long cure time. I have heard people say a couple weeks cure time is recommended even for HP but I used it immediately with no problems.

[daisy]

Oct 9, 2015 12:16:18 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Out of curiosity, do you make soaps without scents?  Absolutely everything that I have ever seen handmade has is scented and that's not going to run here.

This is my biggest gripe.  I HATE scented anything and go out of my way to buy things scentless.  SO gets a headache, so it's just easier to avoid it altogether.  Hell, even walking by something like the candle stores in the mall can send him into a migraine.

Yep I do - one of my mom's friends is allergic to scent as well so I make a 'Just Soap' option for her.  I have an idea of what you mean, my DH can't handle peppermint, I had a request for it so I made some last week and he couldn't be in the house until I aired it out.     It's unfortunate that your SO has such a strong reaction - it seems like everything is scented these days!

If you wanted handmade soap without fragrance, the next time you were to go to a Farmer's Market or fair and you see a soapmaker, ask them if they would make an unscented soap for you/your SO, as a special order it wouldn't be any different than just a regular soap, obviously just skipping the step of adding any fragrance.  I've filled several special orders for friends and customers who wanted something 'tweaked' just a bit.  Most soapmakers are passionate about what they make and don't have any issues accommodating a potential customer.  Or, if you are an Etsy shopper I know that Etsy is flooded with soapmakers, it should be easy to track down handmade soap without scent. 

[daisy]

Oct 9, 2015 12:22:25 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Oct 7, 2015 16:16:24 GMT -5 daisy said:

Hello All !!

...

Today in the mail I received 2 pounds of Laurel Berry Oil, an oil I've been anxiously awaiting to purchase.  Laurel Berry oil is mixed with olive oil and together they make Aleppo soap, which is the first documented bar of soap ever.  History and tradition on this soap go back 13 centuries!  The properties of the olive and laurel berry oils are supposed to be amazing for your skin.  Mild and moisturizing, it's a great soap for those with skin conditions like eczma and psoriasis.  There are lots of people who attest to effectiveness of it; I'm going to have to wait until it cures for 6-9 months to find our for myself!  The oil, from a reputable source, is not cheap.  I paid $50 for two pounds, which means my bars of soap will have to sell for around $10 each if I plan to continue to make this soap.  I haven't put it all into my calculator yet so I'll have a better idea of pricing after I do that.

So that's my introduction - feel free to ask questions or make comments.  I don't mind sharing recipes or the costs of things with everyone, there's a lot of good information on the internet - I guess I was just super lucky to have a mentor to steer me in the right direction so I'm good with passing on my knowledge to anyone who wants it!   Thanks for letting me share my passion.

Thank you so much for posting this! I learned something new!!!

I did some research on the soap you mentioned, and based on prices for comparable products on Amazon $10 a bar isn't out of line.

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check.  Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief. 

I'll get one of these bars to see what it does for me.  If nothing else it will be good for my normal skin.

You are very welcome!  I'm here to spread the word on the wonders of using a product without harmful chemicals  .  Check the percentage of Laurel Berry Oil in the soap you find - the more LBO the better for your skin it is.  A high percentage is around 30% - my skin is oily so I will make myself some with a percentage around 5 and it should be plenty moisturizing without needing to go higher.  I have noticed that I used to get skin breakouts (weird little red spots that the doc couldn't define) since chemo...and I haven't had any for about the last 6 months.  Is is because I switched from chemical-laden bath products?  I believe so, but I can't make any kind of medical claims so I just keep using my soap figuring that whatever I am doing is working for me.  Let us know how the soap you find works out you; I have a friend whose sister has psoriasis and she has already claimed a bar so eventually I will have some feedback that way too. 

I might suggest trying jojoba oil instead of coconut - it's the closest oil to sebum, which is produced in your body to moisturize/protect you skin and might be more beneficial than coconut oil which can be drying.  I know you can get a little bottle at Trader Joe's for $8/9?  something like that.  Not too expensive if it helps.  

[The Captain]

Oct 9, 2015 13:12:04 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

Oct 9, 2015 12:22:25 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Thank you so much for posting this! I learned something new!!!

I did some research on the soap you mentioned, and based on prices for comparable products on Amazon $10 a bar isn't out of line.

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check.  Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief. 

I'll get one of these bars to see what it does for me.  If nothing else it will be good for my normal skin.

Not to derail... but have you tried Exederm .  OTC at walgreens.   It is the only thing that has worked on my mange.   I also gave some to a coworker... she randomly texted me out of the blue to tell me that it worked for her as well. 

Sorry for the derail,  but seriously give this stuff a try. 

I'll give it a whirl. My psoriasis is worst on my scalp which is why it's so difficult to treat. Add to that thick wavy hair and getting the product to where it's needed is a joy.

[The Captain]

Oct 9, 2015 18:35:04 GMT -5 daisy said:

Oct 9, 2015 12:22:25 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Thank you so much for posting this! I learned something new!!!

I did some research on the soap you mentioned, and based on prices for comparable products on Amazon $10 a bar isn't out of line.

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check.  Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief. 

I'll get one of these bars to see what it does for me.  If nothing else it will be good for my normal skin.

You are very welcome!  I'm here to spread the word on the wonders of using a product without harmful chemicals  .  Check the percentage of Laurel Berry Oil in the soap you find - the more LBO the better for your skin it is.  A high percentage is around 30% - my skin is oily so I will make myself some with a percentage around 5 and it should be plenty moisturizing without needing to go higher.  I have noticed that I used to get skin breakouts (weird little red spots that the doc couldn't define) since chemo...and I haven't had any for about the last 6 months.  Is is because I switched from chemical-laden bath products?  I believe so, but I can't make any kind of medical claims so I just keep using my soap figuring that whatever I am doing is working for me.  Let us know how the soap you find works out you; I have a friend whose sister has psoriasis and she has already claimed a bar so eventually I will have some feedback that way too. 

I might suggest trying jojoba oil instead of coconut - it's the closest oil to sebum, which is produced in your body to moisturize/protect you skin and might be more beneficial than coconut oil which can be drying.  I know you can get a little bottle at Trader Joe's for $8/9?  something like that.  Not too expensive if it helps.  

Ok, one more question - one of the reasons I initially choose coconut oil is that it's solid at room temp. When I mix this with the other stuff I get a nice creamy lotion that I've got some control when using a food service applicator to put on my scalp. I need some viscosity in the mixture or it's too runny and I can't control how quickly it comes out the applicator.

If I switch to jojoba oil do you have any suggestions as to what I could use to get it a little thicker?

[daisy]

Oct 10, 2015 13:43:22 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Oct 9, 2015 18:35:04 GMT -5 daisy said:

Ok, one more question - one of the reasons I initially choose coconut oil is that it's solid at room temp. When I mix this with the other stuff I get a nice creamy lotion that I've got some control when using a food service applicator to put on my scalp. I need some viscosity in the mixture or it's too runny and I can't control how quickly it comes out the applicator.

If I switch to jojoba oil do you have any suggestions as to what I could use to get it a little thicker?

Hm - In that case I would mix it; try a 50/50 mix maybe to start and adjust it a bit to the solidity that you would like.  Coconut is pretty dang solid in winter months so it should stay firm - also you can keep your container in the fridge for more stability for the mix.  If you blended the two together with a mixer you'd get more like a body butter consistency which might work too and then refrigerate that - when I make shaving cream with coconut and shea butter and almond oil I whip it and put it in the fridge to get solid and then whip it again.  

Shea butter mixed with jojoba is an option too, shea is great for skin...but I'm not sure how involved you would like to get.  I would imagine you'd have to order shea from a supplier, I've never seen it in a store.  If you've been happy with coconut, then I guess my suggestion would be as above and see at what point you get a good consistency to try.  I'd be very interested in how it turns out for you - I have people ask all of the time for suggestions for eczema, psoriasis and other skin issues and the more anecdotal information I can amass the better.  As I am not a doctor I can't say, "Use this, it's the BEST!"  but I can offer suggestions.

[daisy]

Oct 10, 2015 13:55:09 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

Oct 10, 2015 13:39:42 GMT -5 The Captain said:

I'll give it a whirl. My psoriasis is worst on my scalp which is why it's so difficult to treat. Add to that thick wavy hair and getting the product to where it's needed is a joy.

Hmm..for scalp I would try Aveda, they have a scalp oil that is the only thing that worked for my sister...imagine cradle cap as an adult. 

I love Aveda and I have their Dry Remedy scalp oil for dry scalp!  It's worked miracles on my scalp but I don't have psoriasis so I can't say how it would work for you.   Certainly worth asking the company if that is a condition that it would help mitigate.

[Deleted]

Thanks @xmascookie for tagging me, I might have missed this thread otherwise. I'm just doing a "drive-by" right now to see what I've missed on the boards lately, I just got in from a trip. When I have time to actually read and not skim, I'll be back because I am interested in this soap making idea.

[The Captain]

Ok, tagging isn't working right now...

Pink Cashmere, Steff, and Sweetdreams (and any other business folks out there).

Please please please!  get labels for your products.  DH and DD went out of town last weekend on a coaster trip and stopped at a craft fair.  DH knows how much I love bath bombs so he got a set of 5 for me from a vendor.

I used one last night, it was the best freaking thing ever.  The water was so soft, the scent was very light (I can't handle heavy scents) and there was something else in there (moisturizer) that made my skin so soft.

DH spent over an hour trying to figure out who the vendor was because there was no label.  No receipts either as the vendor only took cash.

IF I had contact information that vendor would already have a huge ass mail order because I'd be giving this to my friends and stocking up for myself.

So now I sit sadly looking at the four remaining bombs and wondering how long I can hold out on using them .

[Wisconsin Beth]

I like having the ingredients listed because aloe makes my skin itchy. 

[weltschmerz]

Seems like everyone is making soap. Gal at work gave me some "spiritual soap" she made and prayed over, just for me.

It's lavender. I LOATHE lavender. I guess it's the default scent, but I hate it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check. Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief.

Tea tree oil sends my psoriasis into the stratosphere.  I remember trying it and it winding up 500% worse after a few treatments.  I'm lucky in that my patches are usually fairly small, but I have found that prescription meds work the best.  I use a clobetasol solution (it's alcohol based, so not gummy) when I get patches on my scalp, and desonide on my skin.  

[Deleted]

Oct 14, 2015 9:47:41 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I like having the ingredients listed because aloe makes my skin itchy. 

I only sell to close friends and family but always put ingredients on them. All kinds of allergies out there. I hate making the stupid things though. Drives me nutty.

[The Captain]

Oct 14, 2015 11:58:36 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I have psoriasis and have tried so many different things to get it in check. Right now a home remedy of glycerin, tea tree oil, and coconut oil is the only thing that provides some relief.

Tea tree oil sends my psoriasis into the stratosphere.  I remember trying it and it winding up 500% worse after a few treatments.  I'm lucky in that my patches are usually fairly small, but I have found that prescription meds work the best.  I use a clobetasol solution (it's alcohol based, so not gummy) when I get patches on my scalp, and desonide on my skin.  

That's the same as Olux, right?

It does clear things up when I use it.  Problem is the flare up comes right back the second I stop.  My dermatologist had me stop using it because he is  worried about long term side effects.  I've used it on and off for several years now.  Steroid based solutions seem to be the only thing that will clear thing up, but they're not a long term solution.  Well salicylic acid works too but I'm not desperate enough to try some of the home remedy's I've read about. 

Fortunately I don't have enough to go to the biologics.  Not sure I'd want to anyway.

I'm constantly amazed by how differently everyone reacts to the same thing.  It's a miracle drugs work at all, given how individual body chemistry is.