Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Advanced Questions How can I get crystal clear transparent soap?

  • How can I get crystal clear transparent soap?

    Posted by Ameen on February 19, 2017 at 3:12 pm

     
    Hi each one,

    Several batches and  experiments and still not yet got a crystal clear transparency  in my soap, tried different ratio combinations playing with  the ingredients but always getting a semi amber color soap.

    My formula reads like this:

    Water 3%
    NaOH 3
    %
    Prop.Glycol 18
    %
    Glycerol  6.5
    %
    Sorbitol  (70
    % sol.) 17%
    SLES    30
    %
    Stearic Acid  12.9
    %
    Myristic Acid  6
    %
    TEA    2.5
    %

    Any piece of advice, suggestion or hint to get a crystal clear transparent soap is most appreciated. Should I remove any ingredient from this list? Should I add any ? Should I substitute one for another?

    Thank you endlessly each one  in advance
    Ameen
    Retired French Teacher
    Algeria

    Bobzchemist replied 7 years, 8 months ago 5 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • johnb

    Member
    February 19, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    You could try using sugar (sucrose) in place of sorbitol.

    The quality of the stearic acid may count as well. Avoid lower quality stearins - those with high amounts of unsaturates (oleic acid etc).

    Many commercial transparent soaps (eg Pears) use alcohol in their manufacture. Part of this is allowed to evaporate after processing.

  • DRBOB@VERDIENT.BIZ

    Member
    February 20, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    remove sodium stearate and use only alkanolamine soaps;also systematically raise glycerine for clarity

  • johnb

    Member
    February 21, 2017 at 8:36 am

    The big problem with using alkanolamine soaps is that they do not solidify.

  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    February 21, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Stearic should be about 20%, drop myristic and TEA out.

    Also try ethanol at varying percentages.

  • crisbaysauli

    Member
    February 26, 2017 at 8:41 am

    or you can try one of Dr. Staetman’s Glycerin soap bases.

  • Bobzchemist

    Member
    February 27, 2017 at 12:58 am

    Stephenson’s has some great clear soap bases as well.

    When we ran the numbers, we needed to make more than/at least 5,000 pounds/week of our own soap base before it was cost effective not to use their base.

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