Moisturizing Additives for MP Soap in Dry Climates

Addressing the dryness issue with MP soap in a dry climate like the USA is important. While MP soap, due to its inherent pH from the saponification process, can be drying for some skin types, especially in low-humidity environments, adding specific ingredients can help improve its moisturizing properties.

As the staff mentioned, for optimal skin health, particularly for dry or sensitive skin, considering a liquid cleanser with a slightly acidic pH (around 5.5) might be a better long-term solution. However, if you wish to continue using your MP soap base and enhance its moisturizing feel, you can incorporate the following ingredients:

Recommended Moisturizing Ingredients

Here are some ingredients that can help boost the moisturizing effect of your MP soap and can generally withstand the heat of the melting process:

• Sorbitol Solution 70%: This is a classic humectant used in soap making. It helps the soap attract and retain moisture, reducing the "sweating" phenomenon often seen in MP soap and adding a moisturizing feel to the bar. It is heat stable and mixes well.

• MOIST24: A heat-stable humectant that provides long-lasting moisture retention in the skin. It can be added to the melted soap base.

• PCA Glyceryl Oleate: A natural-based moisturizer that improves skin hydration and strengthens the skin barrier. It is suitable for hot processes and can be mixed into the water phase (or added to the melted base).

• Fractionated Coconut Oil: A light, non-greasy oil that is easily absorbed and non-comedogenic. It adds emollience to the soap without leaving a heavy feel. It is stable and suitable for soap.

• LipidSoft™ Moist: An emollient that provides good moisturization and a smooth feel without being sticky or clogging pores. It helps the skin retain water.

• Babassu Oil (Refined) and Vegetable Vaseline (Olus Oil): These are natural oils/butters that offer moisturizing benefits. However, their descriptions mention avoiding heat, sunlight, and weather, and Babassu Oil has a low melting point. While they might be added carefully at a lower temperature just before pouring, they might be less stable in the hot MP soap process compared to the others.

Usage Tips

Add these ingredients to your melted MP soap base just before pouring into molds. The typical usage rate for oils is around 1-5%, while humectants like Sorbitol, MOIST24, and PCA Glyceryl Oleate should follow the recommended usage rates provided in their product descriptions (usually a few percent).

Tailoring for Different Skin Types

• Acne-Prone Skin: Focus on humectants like Sorbitol, MOIST24, and PCA Glyceryl Oleate, along with lighter emollients like Fractionated Coconut Oil or LipidSoft™ Moist. Avoid heavier oils.
• Normal Skin: A combination of humectants and emollients/oils can be used.
• Dry Skin: Can benefit from higher concentrations (within recommended limits) of the suggested humectants and emollients like LipidSoft™ Moist. Consider adding Babassu Oil or Vegetable Vaseline if you can manage the temperature carefully.

By incorporating these ingredients, you can help your MP soap provide better hydration and comfort, especially for users in dry climates.