Base, Superfatting and Carrier Oils

 

Base oils saponify easily (chemically react with the lye solution) and contribute body and hardness to soap. They can be used in large quantities and are, in general, easier to find and cheaper to buy. Base oils "fill" the recipe and usually have the largest quantity within the recipe.

If you follow the recipe provided, or design your own, be aware that each oil has it's own molecular property and therefore the amount of lye solution required will vary if you change one, or several of the base oils. Even the amount used will alter the lye required.

Using a lye calculator will ensure you are correctly, and more importantly, safely using the ingredients properly.

While soap making is fun and very enjoyable, you do need to make sure you follow the process as directed. Also, keep in mind the environmental effects certain oils have on natural resources, such as palm oil.

A cheap palm oil alternative I use is Frymasta, a vegetable oil blend found in local IGA stores. Great for those on a budget and small enough to keep in the fridge. Another cheap coconut oil alternative used is Copha. Tired of using Copha for only White Christmas ? Now you can surprise family and friends with hand made soap of your own.

Listed below is a small selection of Base oils available:

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Palm oil
• Sunflower oil
• Rice Bran oil

Superfatting oils have superior nourishing properties and are unsaponifiable, meaning, they do not undergo the soapmaking chemical process and remain intact in the final soap product.

Superfatting oils are more expensive, and are used in small amounts to improve the overall quality of the soap. A more mild and skin-friendly soap results.

Superfatting oils available:

• Avocado oil (deep dark green colour, great for natural green colouring)
• Castor oil
• Emu oil
• Macadamia oil

Carrier oils, or Herbal oils, are not directly extracted by the plants they take their name from. They are instead, obtained through infusion of the flowers, roots, seeds, or leaves in a base oil.

The tradititional method for infusion involves steeping fresh plant material and oil in a glass jar, and leave in the sun for a minimum of 45 days. The properties of the plant material are transferred to the carrier oil (the original oil chosen for infusion). Oils used as carriers, are those which have long shelf life: olive, sunflower, jojoba oils to name a few.

Carrier oils available:

• Calendula oil (olive oil base infused with calendula flower)
• Carrot oil (sunflower oil base infused with carrot seed extract)
• Vanilla oil (olive oil base infused with vanilla beans)
• Jojoba oil is virtually odourless making it the best carrier (base) oil and is rich in Vitamin E ~ great for skin

 

Take your time to discover each oil. With varying characteristics and properties, certain oils are best used for leave-on skin applications rather than in soap. Who knew oil could be so interesting ?

Enjoy the wonderful world of oil. Each oil you lovingly choose for your soap, will not only enchance the quality of each batch, but your skin will thank you for it.

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