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Soap additives?

Dan878

Dan878

0
Hi Cadre, slightly leftfield post i suppose but has anyone ever added anything to their soap lathers other than water? This to try and improve performance and/or the scent profile?
I haven't really given it too much thought, but it occurred to me today maybe somebody out there has tried it - if so, what was the result?
For the record, i'm just curious and not endorsing any practice. I'm sure the ingredients in these soaps are carefully balanced.
Thanks
Dan
 
Many folks will mix soaps and creams to make a “super lather”.

Some lesser performing Ming soaps will benefit from adding a few drops of glycerin.

Some unscented or lightly scented soaps, I’ll add a bit of aftershave to the lather to add some scent. You just gotta be careful. Alcohol can be a lather killer.

You can also mix some menthol crystals into some glycerine, and then add that to your lather for a menthol boost.
 
Spider said:
Many folks will mix soaps and creams to make a “super lather”.

Some lesser performing Ming soaps will benefit from adding a few drops of glycerin.

Some unscented or lightly scented soaps, I’ll add a bit of aftershave to the lather to add some scent. You just gotta be careful. Alcohol can be a lather killer.

You can also mix some menthol crystals into some glycerine, and then add that to your lather for a menthol boost.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. Does the glycerin improve the structure? Never thought about the menthol as something you could add (daft i know as it obviously is an additive!)

Have you experimented with the 'super lather'?
Thanks again
 
Dan878 said:
Thanks for that. Does the glycerin improve the structure? Never thought about the menthol as something you could add (daft i know as it obviously is an additive!)

Have you experimented with the 'super lather'?
Thanks again
Click to expand...

The glycerine can improve structure and slickness.

Ive experimented with super lather, but only on my early days when I was having trouble lathering. Adding a little cream made it easier, Since creams lather easier anyway.
 
I'm kinda tempted to try the menthol option. I really like the fitjar menthol cream i have (it's just on the right side of subtle).
It's a potential other dimension for some soaps and creams.
 
In addition to what Spider listed I have added a drop or two of castor oil along with the glycerin. Castor oil is often added to the soap itself (saponified) because it improves lather characteristics, adding to the soap/lather may or may not help the lather but it does help face feel.

I mix menthol crystals into glycerin so I can easily add menthol to any soap on the fly. If you warm the glycerin by submerging the container in hot water it will dissolve more menthol. Add a drop of castor oil or some other light oil and the menthol will dissolve better.

If you want to take your cooling agent to a new level you can add several drops of the vaping juice KOOLADA (with or without adding actual menthol). KOOLADA is sold as a mixture of propylene glycol and WS-3 cooling agent. You can add the KOOLADA to your aftershave too, a few drops in you hand before splashing the AS will do fine. Just don't get it in your eyes ...and avoid the bikini zone.

I keep a spray bottle filled with a water, glycerin and propylene glycol mixture nearby to help with difficult lathers or to improve the ones that aren't as good as they could be. If you use distilled water you can avoid any of the hard water questions but I just use tap water. I think my mix is about 1/3 glycerin 2/3 water (I add about and ounce of PG too).
 
CBLindsay said:
In addition to what Spider listed I have added a drop or two of castor oil along with the glycerin. Castor oil is often added to the soap itself (saponified) because it improves lather characteristics, adding to the soap/lather may or may not help the lather but it does help face feel.

I mix menthol crystals into glycerin so I can easily add menthol to any soap on the fly. If you warm the glycerin by submerging the container in hot water it will dissolve more menthol. Add a drop of castor oil or some other light oil and the menthol will dissolve better.

If you want to take your cooling agent to a new level you can add several drops of the vaping juice KOOLADA (with or without adding actual menthol). KOOLADA is sold as a mixture of propylene glycol and WS-3 cooling agent. You can add the KOOLADA to your aftershave too, a few drops in you hand before splashing the AS will do fine. Just don't get it in your eyes ...and avoid the bikini zone.

I keep a spray bottle filled with a water, glycerin and propylene glycol mixture nearby to help with difficult lathers or to improve the ones that aren't as good as they could be. If you use distilled water you can avoid any of the hard water questions but I just use tap water. I think my mix is about 1/3 glycerin 2/3 water (I add about and ounce of PG too).
Click to expand...

I knew there'd be somebody out there who knows these things. Thanks for the detailed reply ?
I shall certainly look into it
 
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