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- #61
A few questions/remarks for the vendors/experts:
1. I understood from the tests that some soaps were more fluffy and others more oily. Would it makes sense to make a soap in such a way that one side would be used to slide on a wet beard and leave an oily film while the other side would be used to get by the brush to create a fast lather?
Advantages:
a. The oily film can soften the hair while the lather is being made
b. The lather would be easier and quicker to make with out the oil so it won't get cold by a long preparation process (beyond one minute of swirling can cool the lather a lot)
c. The oily and hydrating soap could be used after the shave as well
2. For international buyers, it would be cost effective to buy large quantity of samplers/small sized soaps (about half of what's available in hotels).
Another option that would be easier to make is soap shavings.
3. I saw on your site (MilfordNJGuy) what seemed to be brick sized soaps before cutting which can reduce the amount of work done. Selling a brick would be cost effective for people who want to cut their own sizes so once they find their favorite scent/s, they can just go ahead and buy the brick sized soaps for long term use.
4. An oil that helped me a lot with skin problems is sea buckthorn oil. Another good source is Papaya fruit and most notably the fruit skin.
Alexo,
Soap is no more than "emulsified" oils caused by the reaction between an acid (oils) and a base (lye). (Now you scientifically minded guys, bear with me as I try to explain in layman's terms) What we soap makers often do is to include a little extra oil in our formula that does react to the lye and it left behind to make the soap milder. This extra oil is referred to as "superfatting" and that actually can contribute to the slip or lubrication of the skin and beard hair especially if done in a large enough amounts. When you see a label with say "Sodium Stearate" and "Stearic Acid" both included then the Stearic acid acts in the same way as the oil you mention. The "Sodium Stearate" is a sodium salt of Stearic Acid or better called a Sodium "soap" of Stearic Acid. There are Shaving soaps on the market that do this. (I did my best, if someone wishes to add to it or explain it differently, feel free!)
Also, some soapmakers do sell bricks of soap. I don't happen to because uncut logs are not able to dry out and cure the same way as cut bars can and thereby won't last as long in usage. I hope I have answered you questions!