Preventing Solidification in Oil Soap with Shea and Cocoa Butters

You are experiencing solidification in your oil soap mixture because both Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter are solid fats at room temperature. When you melt them and mix them with the Oil Soap, the mixture will naturally return to a solid or semi-solid state as it cools.

The Oil Soap (MIPA Laureth Sulfate) is a surfactant that helps the oil mixture emulsify with water when used, but it does not prevent the solid butters from solidifying in the bottle or container.

To keep your oil soap liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature and prevent the butters from forming solid lumps, you need to add a liquid oil that remains fluid at room temperature. This liquid oil will lower the overall melting point of your blend.

Recommended Liquid Oils

Consider adding one or a combination of the following liquid oils:

• Sweet Almond Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Rice Bran Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Fractionated Coconut Oil

Formulation Guidance

You will need to use a significantly higher proportion of the liquid oil compared to the combined amount of Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter. A possible starting ratio could be around 70-80% liquid oil and 20-30% combined solid butters, plus your desired percentage of Oil Soap (typically 15-40%).

Suggested Process

1. Melt the Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter together.
2. Add your chosen liquid oil to the melted butters and mix thoroughly.
3. Allow the oil mixture to cool down to below 50°C before adding the Oil Soap.
4. Add the Oil Soap and mix gently until fully incorporated. Avoid excessive agitation.
5. Let the final mixture cool completely to room temperature. Check the consistency. If it is still too solid, gently warm it again, add more liquid oil, mix, and let it cool to test until you achieve the desired liquid or semi-liquid consistency.