Over the past year, I’ve had several requests to create a coconut oil soap video. This was actually my first attempt at creating a 100% coconut oil soap. I’m actually not a big fan of using a high percentage of coconut oil due to my dry skin issues. However, I used a high super fat to counter that effect and managed to keep this batch from overheating. If you’d like more information, just keep reading for more details and the video. :)

Whenever I use a soap that has more than 25% coconut oil in it (even with a 6% superfat), my skin just feels too dry. Coconut oil soap is such a good cleanser that it strips too much away from my skin. The Spruce wrote a wonderful article describing this effect and why using a high superfat can help. I’m sure there are lots of other good articles about it, too. I used their recommended 20% superfat.

During this process, I also learned that pure coconut oil soap will overheat in the mold. I was aware this might happen, so I placed my first batch in the refrigerator (log mold – uncovered). Surprisingly, the batch still overheated and split slightly down the middle. The soap is fine just a bit ugly. :)

With this batch you see in the video, I used my silicone cylindrical mold (affiliate link), did some simple in-the-pot swirls, and placed the mold in the freezer as soon as possible.  That actually did the trick as far as overheating was concerned. I left it in the freezer for 24 hours (probably could have removed it sooner, but I was away from my shop), unmolded it (slid right out of the mold), and then I let it thaw for another 24 hours.

My soaping temperature was about 78º (both my lye and coconut oil were at 78º). This lower temperature caused a grainy false trace in my soap batter during the initial stages of blending. I soap at room temperature all of the time, so this happens to me on occasion. I just keep blending, and the batch will eventually smooth out and reach trace. I show this during the video below (time – 1:35) in case you’re interested.

RECIPE
Coconut Oil – 100%

Superfat – 20%

Lye Solution – 33% (Water = 2 x sodium hydroxide)

Pink Kaolin Clay (aka Rose Clay)
1 teaspoon hydrated clay per cup of soap

Unscented – no essential oils

To calculate the sodium hydroxide for your specific recipe amounts, you can use a soap calculator like the one at Majestic Mountain Sage:
http://goo.gl/7hH5Vw

Note: My recipes are listed in percentages so you can adjust them to fit your specific mold size. If you need help converting the percentages to grams or ounces, here’s a great article from Lovin’ Soap:  http://bit.ly/2LGxofa

VIDEO

Thank you so much for reading my post!