Adding Clays to Cold Process and Hot Process Soap
Question
Can various types of clay, such as Green Clay, Red Clay, Yellow Clay, Bentonite Clay, and Kaolin (China Clay), be added to Cold Process (CP) and Hot Process (HP) soap formulations? If so, what is the appropriate percentage to use?
Answer
Yes, the clays you mentioned, including Green Clay, Red Clay, Yellow Clay, Bentonite Clay, and Kaolin (China Clay), can generally be incorporated into Cold Process (CP) and Hot Process (HP) soaps.
Clays are often added to soap formulations for several benefits:
- Absorption: They can help absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin.
- Exfoliation: The fine particles provide gentle exfoliation.
- Color: Clays impart natural colors to the soap.
- Texture: They can contribute to the texture and feel of the soap bar.
Regarding the percentage to use, while clays are safe for skin even at high amounts, adding too much to soap can potentially affect the soap's stability or cause it to crack or become brittle. There isn't a single fixed percentage that works for all soap recipes and desired outcomes. The appropriate percentage often requires experimentation based on your specific soap formulation (oils used, water content, etc.) and the desired effect (color intensity, level of exfoliation, absorption). Starting with a small percentage, perhaps 1-2% of the total soap batch weight, and testing is a common approach, gradually increasing in subsequent batches if needed.
