Carriegsxr6 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I wanted to take a quick poll and see which butter people preferred most when making soap. I am stuck between two and really want to windle it down to one to save on costs. But can’t make up my mind. I like mango butter best but its too expensive, for me shea comes in next because it makes the bar so silky and I can get a great deal on it for $2 a lb, however cocoa butter makes the bar harder and lather a little better. UGH please help me decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmpressC Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'm too new to it all to say which is best, but just wanted to mention that Oils By Nature has a Shea/Mango combo butter that might suit your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'm too new to it all to say which is best, but just wanted to mention that Oils By Nature has a Shea/Mango combo butter that might suit your needs.cool thanks for the info. I really think i need to stick to one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Girl Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I use both mango and refined shea in my main recipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 I use both mango and refined shea in my main recipe.i am torn between two butters too. But if you had to give up one, which would you keep? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Girl Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'd never soap my recipe without both of them.Honestly, you've just got to try your recipe with each one and see which you prefer in the final product. I did that and didn't care for either, but together, I love the results.I get my mango from OBN for BB applications like lotions, and body butter. But for soaping I prefer CF's Mango. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'd never soap my recipe without both of them.Honestly, you've just got to try your recipe with each one and see which you prefer in the final product. I did that and didn't care for either, but together, I love the results.I get my mango from OBN for BB applications like lotions, and body butter. But for soaping I prefer CF's Mango.Can you tell me why it is that you prefer your mango from OBN for BB and CF's for soaping? I was lucky and got in on that fabulous mango butter in Mystical's coop (hope you got in that one too) and have used it in both my soap and BB. I love the stuff and Mystical can do another coop anytime soon. hint hint... Anyway, I have some mango now from CF that I haven't used yet.That is why I ask. Regarding the poll, I can't decide since I use them all in my different soap recipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Girl Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I have the fabulous co-op mango too, and horde it. I swear I want a bucket of this stuff next time. Another co-op would be welcomed as I'm getting low.I think it's probably a quality decision and a cost decision for me. CF's mango and refined shea are more soaping grade butters and the results are fab in soap. I get a beautiful white bar, it's cost effective and I like that. I feel both are too hard for butter, mine anyway.For emulsified butters and lotions, the OBN Mango isn't as hard and I personally think it's better quality for a leave on product.All in all, I loves me some mango butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 I think it's probably a quality decision and a cost decision for me. CF's mango and refined shea are more soaping grade butters and the results are fab in soap. I get a beautiful white bar, it's cost effective and I like that. I feel both are too hard for butter, mine anyway.I agree with you about going with different grades for soaping, I dont mind using Bamboula Soap Grape Un Refined Shea in my CP, its the same SAP value and quality as their others, but its a little smelly and a little darker. It still kicks butt in my CP and its only $2.00 a lb if you get 10lbs. If I hosted a co-op, I am sure they would come down on the priceing even more. But if I was making body butters, I would have to go with a better quality refined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I have the fabulous co-op mango too, and horde it. I swear I want a bucket of this stuff next time. Another co-op would be welcomed as I'm getting low.I think it's probably a quality decision and a cost decision for me. CF's mango and refined shea are more soaping grade butters and the results are fab in soap. I get a beautiful white bar, it's cost effective and I like that. I feel both are too hard for butter, mine anyway.For emulsified butters and lotions, the OBN Mango isn't as hard and I personally think it's better quality for a leave on product.All in all, I loves me some mango butter.I loves me some mango butter too. I horde my MB from Mysticals coop also and am almost out. I keep forgetting I have the CF mango when I go to soap. I could tell from the looks and feel of it the CF MF isn't as smooth and creamy as the OBN. I figured it probably came down to a quality issue with you. Now I'm wondering if its the mango that helps you make those gorgeous soaps of yours?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecandlespastore Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I use them all. If I really had to use only one I would go with shea butter. It adds a certain label appeal. Most customers are like "Uh?" when you say mango butter, but shea butter is like gold to people's ears.I use refined mango, and unrefined shea/unrefined cocoa butter for my recipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I wanted more options lol! But I am liking how mango feels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 I use them all. If I really had to use only one I would go with shea butter. It adds a certain label appeal. Most customers are like "Uh?" when you say mango butter, but shea butter is like gold to people's ears.I use refined mango, and unrefined shea/unrefined cocoa butter for my recipes.this is actually very true. average people are really becoming aware of the benifits of shea butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I use mango, refined shea, cocoa butter and kokum in soaps. I think I love all of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 my recipe consists of coconut oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, avocado oil, and 3 oz. of cocoa butter in a 3 # batch, and i love it! it's a hard bar, lathers great and doesn't get gummy in the soap dish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 they all add great qualities to the soap as far as hardness, conditioning and creaminess.This is how the soap calc compairs them:Mango:Hardness 53Conditioning 52Creamy lather 53Shea: Hardness 45Conditioning 54Creamy lather 45Cocoa:Hardness 61Conditioning 38Creamy lather 61Mango has the best averaged numbers, but ugh its so pricey compared to the others. Cocoa does wonders for hardening the bar and making it more creamy, but not as conditioning as the others, and Shea is the highest in conditioning but the lowest in hardness and creamy lather.this is why i pull my hair out trying to choose one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 You could always offer different types of soaps with different prices. You know like an "average" type soap and then maybe a "spa" or "luxury" type that you could add mango to and charge a bit more for. Customers are usually willing to pay extra for one of those spa" or "luxury" bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 You could always offer different types of soaps with different prices. You know like an "average" type soap and then maybe a "spa" or "luxury" type that you could add mango to and charge a bit more for. Customers are usually willing to pay extra for one of those spa" or "luxury" bars.You are so right, Meredith. (spendy is a good thing... HA HA )Handcrafted soap is fabulous on the skin, and people that know the difference will pay more. It is just like baking a cake in my opinion. Exculsive, privately owned bakery versus chain store in quality. The "ingredients" so to speak add label appeal and perceived value, IMO.I use OBN's Mango to soap. I love this stuff, it soaps well and doesn't totally kill your lather.Shea butter is okay, but there are so many grades, a lot of them substandard compared to Mango, for various reasons. It's all about preference and what your niche market is.I might do another Mango co-op, I am dangerously low. Once you use OBN's mango for your formulations, there is no substitute!(seems a few are concerned about me editing my posts, do yourselves a favor and get a life) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divayoki Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 ?? when you use the unrefined cocoa butter, does it overpower your f/o. I love the unrefined stuff but everything I make with it has that underlying "cocoa" smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 You are so right, Meredith. (spendy is a good thing... HA HA )Handcrafted soap is fabulous on the skin, and people that know the difference will pay more. It is just like baking a cake in my opinion. Exculsive, privately owned bakery versus chain store in quality. The "ingredients" so to speak add label appeal and perceived value, IMO.I use OBN's Mango to soap. I love this stuff, it soaps well and doesn't totally kill your lather.Shea butter is okay, but there are so many grades, a lot of them substandard compared to Mango, for various reasons. It's all about preference and what your niche market is.I might do another Mango co-op, I am dangerously low. Once you use OBN's mango for your formulations, there is no substitute!(seems a few are concerned about me editing my posts, do yourselves a favor and get a life)Well MA if you do another mango coop, I am so in again. You do a good job running swaps and the last mango butter from your coop was divine and worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystical_angel1219 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Thank you M, that last Mango co-op was a challenge to say the least.I called OBN last time, and they anticipated a shipment long before the order was placed, so we weren't worried. Life got complicated, etc. This time, I will post a disclaimer on timeline... LOL!! We had a *fabulous* group in the last OBN co-op, I couldn't have asked for better! :highfive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Girl Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Just put me down for half a bucket next time. I'll find someone to take the other half. That stuff is FAB!The hostess rocked too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Just put me down for half a bucket next time. I'll find someone to take the other half. That stuff is FAB!The hostess rocked too. You might have a taker lol! (cough, cough) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridith Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Thank you M, that last Mango co-op was a challenge to say the least.I called OBN last time, and they anticipated a shipment long before the order was placed, so we weren't worried. Life got complicated, etc. This time, I will post a disclaimer on timeline... LOL!! We had a *fabulous* group in the last OBN co-op, I couldn't have asked for better! :highfive:Yes, but you rose to that challenge which was a challenge out of your control. Also, I personally don't need a disclaimer - I'm a resonable adult that understands when things happen - not to mention I trust ya! And I think it is worth noting, NOT ONE COMPLAINT from any participants in the mango butter coop. That's how it is when you deal with adults. My last post should have said you do a good job running coops - but I'm sure you do a good job running swaps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carriegsxr6 Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 ?? when you use the unrefined cocoa butter, does it overpower your f/o. I love the unrefined stuff but everything I make with it has that underlying "cocoa" smell.I think all cocoa butters are refined. The only difference is deodorized or un-deodorized. And to answer your question YES the un-deodorized totally stands out and messes with the scent you add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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