Transparent Re-meltable Soap

Melt and Pour Soap Base making from scratch

Introduction

What makes a soap transparent?

In simple terms, it's a soap that goes through the similar chemical reactions as any other soap, but it has added solvents that dissolve the
soap (salt) crystals into such tiny particles that light can pass through it.

In this tutorial, we will be making a soap using virgin coconut oil and stearic acid at 0% superfat as unsaponified fats will make the soap
cloudy.
The additional ingredients we use that make the soap remeltable and transparent are glycerin, sugar syrup and Isopropyl alcohol 99%. The
glycerin makes the soap mild and conditioning on the skin. Use of distilled water is the key to achieving a highly transparent bar of soap. The
dissolved solids in regular tap or filtered water will adversely affect the clarity.

This process is quick and easy once mastered. The actual making time is just 15- 20 min and the soap can be cut and used the same day. No
cooking or curing time is required.
The ingredients used are fairly easy to obtain globally. Alternatives for some ingredients are provided. Results may vary slightly.

This soap gives a smooth creamy lather, rather than large bubbles as we do not add any strong lather boosting agents. The mild coconut
based surfactant that we use gives excellent wetting properties to the soap with a mild cleansing foam suitable for dry or sensitive skin.
 Transparent Soap Base Making Instructions
Recipe: (makes approx 1500 gm / 52.6 oz
● Extra Virgin coconut oil: 130g / 4.5 oz
● Stearic acid: 60g / 2.1 oz
● Isopropyl alcohol 99%: 160g / 5.6 oz
● Distilled water for lye: 100g / 3.5 oz
● Lye (NAOH) Sodium Hydroxide: 34g / 1.1 oz
● Glycerin: 270 g / 9.5 oz
● Coco Betaine / CAPB: 100g / 3.5 oz
● Sodium Lactate: 100g / 3.5 oz
● Refined fine sugar: 400g / 14.1 oz
● Distilled water for sugar: 150g / 5.2 oz
Equipment Required
● Induction Stove / Electric Stove top / Hot plate
● Stainless steel containers, spoons, whisk, strainer.
● Plastic jugs/cups to measure out the ingredients
● Soap mold
● Infrared thermometer
● Weighing scale
● Regular soap making protection equipment:
Gloves, Goggles, Face mask
● Well ventilated working area
● Refrigerator to set the soap
Instructions:
1. Weigh each of the ingredients separately in individual containers.
2. Add Refined sugar and Distilled water for dissolving the sugar into a stainless steel vessel. Boil until completely dissolved stirring to avoid
burning. The temperature will be around 90°C. Set this syrup aside
3. Add coconut oil and stearic acid in another stainless steel container. Melt and heat to approx 90°C / 195°F and turn off the heat source.
4. Add the isopropyl alcohol into the melted oil and whisk well until it froths
5. Prepare the lye solution by adding the lye to the distilled water. Check the temperature and wait for it to reach 60-65°C / 140 - 150°F
6. Transfer the Oil + Stearic acid + Alcohol into a larger container. ( This will be the container in which you make the batch of soap, so ensure that it is large enough
to hold at least double the quantity. ) Heat this mixture to 60-65°C / 140 - 150°F stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat source.
7. Slowly pour lye water into the oil and alcohol mixture a small quantity at a time while stirring continuously with the whisk.
8. Continue to whisk well for half a minute. The mixture should froth well. Avoid splashing
9. Pour the sugar syrup into the mixture using a strainer and whisk will.
10. Add Glycerin into the mixture and whisk until clear
11. Add Sodium Lactate and Coco Betaine
12. Whisk gently until clear and pour into the mold. Spray rubbing alcohol on the surface to get rid of bubbles
13. Allow it to set in the fridge (not freezer) for a few hours until firm to touch
14. Unmold, and let the condensation evaporate
15. Cut into bars or chop to re-melt and use as a melt and pour base
Alternate Ingredients

● Extra Virgin Coconut oil can be replaced by regular coconut oil. The resulting soap will have a slight yellowish tinge which can easily
be covered up by adding a tiny amount of purple liquid colorant.
● Isopropyl Alcohol 99% can be replaced with Ethyl Alcohol or Ethanol. Rubbing alcohol or Everclear may also be used. The soap may
turn out a bit translucent. It may be worth experimenting by adding a larger quantity of the lower proof alcohol to help increase the
transparency.
● Coco Betaine and Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) are usually used interchangeably. These surfactants may be omitted if the soap
will only be used in soft water. Coco Betaine gives a clearer white look to the transparent soap whereas CAPB gives a slight yellowish
look. This can also be countered by adding a drop of purple liquid colourant
● Sorbitol may be used instead of making the sugar syrup with similar results. .
Colours and Fragrances

● Liquid M&P colours, Mica colours or soap stable powder pigments can be used to colour the soap.
● Mix powder colours with alcohol before adding it to the melted soap.
● Liquid colours will retain the transparency of the soap well but they may bleed between different layers or embeds within the soap.
● Micas and powder pigments will reduce the clarity of the soap and even make it opaque depending on the quantity used but are
usually non-bleeding. To make embeds within the transparent soap, micas are the best bet.

● Test new fragrances in a small portion of the soap. Some pure essential oils and oil-based fragrances will make the soap cloudy due
to the free floating oils.
● Whisking well after adding the fragrance or essential oil helps sometimes.
Remelting Instructions

● Chop the soap into small pieces for melting.

● Add approx 10 gm of distilled water and 5 gm isopropyl alcohol per 500 gm of soap base to compensate for the evaporation.
● To Melt:
○ Microwave: Place the pieces in a microwave safe container and heat it in bursts of 10 seconds on low. Stir between every 10
secs.
○ Induction (recommended): Place the pieces in an induction compatible container and heat on the lowest setting. Stir
continuously.
○ Stove: Use a double boiler on low flame. Stir continuously. Do not keep rubbing alcohol near the open flame.
● When the soap is completely melted, add colors and Fragrance / Essential oil of your choice.
● While remelting DO NOT add fresh or dry fruit or vegetable at this stage. Do not add any other additives, oils or butters.
● Mix well and pour into the molds. Spray rubbing alcohol liberally to get rid of bubbles and let the soap set.
● Set the soap in the fridge for an hour or two before unmolding.
● Cut into bars and let it sit for a couple of hours to dry.
● Wrap the soap using cling film or shrink wrap. (In case of condensation on the surface, wipe with a wet cloth and wrap as soon as it
is dry).
Usage and Care

The humectant properties of the soap makes it attract moisture from the environment, which condenses on the soap in the form of water
droplets and makes it look like the soap is sweating. It is advisable to wrap the soap in plastic wrap or film within 6 hours or even sooner in
humid conditions. The soap loses moisture and could lose weight if left unwrapped for too long.

While using the soap, ensure that the water is drained off and left to dry between uses. Use the soap with a washcloth or loofah for increased
lather. This also helps the soap last longer.