http://www.mirrormosaic.com/mosaic-molds/
Melt and pour soap crafting is a process often used by soapmakers. Glycerin soaps are soaps that contain glycerin, a component of fat or oil (not always vegetable oil). The soap is recognizably different from other soaps because it is translucent. The process differs from the cold process or hot process in that no actual soap is made; a melt and pour soap base is acquired by a soap supply company or glycerin manufacturer. Melt and Pour does not give the soap maker complete contro over the ingredients such as natural vegetable oils. This product is then melted in a microwave or large double boiler and additives such as fragrances, essential oils, specialty oils, colorants, or exfoliating agents are added. While still hot, the base can be poured into individual molds, tray molds, or blocks till cooled, then it can be sliced.
Some soapmakers prefer melt and pour because the process is easy and allows the soapmaker to concentrate more on the aesthetic aspects of soap making. It also avoids the need to handle lye, which is a hazardous and caustic chemical. Melt and Pour is already a soap, you can cut a chunk off the slab and wash with it.
Glycerin soap is made by melting and continuously heating regular soap that has been partially dissolved in a high-alcohol until the mixture reaches a clear, jelly-like consistency. If you were to use home- and hand-made soaps that still contain glycerin left over from saponification, then the grating, melting and cooking of these home made bars can proceed without the addition of anything else, although sugar or more glycerin is sometimes added. Glycerin soap can also be produced without remelting soap by directly cooking raw home-made soap. Although the whole point of melt and pour is to avoid the cooking aspect, so all melt and pour soap bases are manufactured.
In industrial soap-making (the store brand soaps), the glycerin is then usually removed to be used in skin creams and more expensive soap products. Most brands of common bar soap leave the skin dry after washing because of this, while shaving soaps and moisturizers are valued for softening skin, largely through their high glycerin content.
I have used melt and pour to make specialty themed soaps with particular colors, scents and stones, all related to the zodiac or horoscope. They were very pretty with the stained glass effect of being clear and tinted. I have also used both the stove top and microwave methods of heating the base and found the microwave to be a little better, in that it was quicker. Melt and Pour does like to cool down fast and it tends to solidify around the edges of the pot or glass bowl. Simply scrape the edges and add back to the base. Do watch for hot spots when using a microwave and stir more frequently. The melt and pour base can get quite hot as well, and I have warped a nice mold by pouring the base in while too hot. Wearing gloves with this hot base is adviseable.
When adding your additives, such as the scent and color, stir very slowly and thoroughly, as stirring fast may cause the soap base to start forming bubbles. You can always give the soap base another minute in the microwave to remelt. If you decided that all the glycerin bars you made aren’t quite right, you can simply remelt the entire bars and adjust. The melt and pour base does cost more than if you were to make soap from scratch using oils and lye.
Unfortunately, one of the components found in so-called natural glycerine soap is Propylene glycol (PG). A colorless, nearly odorless, syrupy liquid that is derived from natural gas. It is used in dozens of products that you commonly use around your house. Some websites and natural product promoters argue that PG is a nasty, carcinogenic chemical that has been wrongly greenlighted by the FDA. The FDA, and others, say that their claims are completely unfounded – that PG is completely safe when used properly.
One very popular glycerin soap company’s melt and pour base ingredient list read as: “INCI Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Myristate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Triethanolamine, Water.”
If you are looking for the most natural versions of melt and pour, read the ingredient list. If it states an INCI format (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) then the list is following lawful labeling regulations. Different suppliers will have different manufacturers of melt and pour and this is why ingredient lists will differ.
Courtney Findlay is a professional Soap Maker, having had her own little soap store that created, wholesaled and retailed natural soap and other bath products on the west coast. Courtney is also a published writer and teaches soap, lotion and perfume making classes. You can check out her informative website at http://www.natural-soap-making.com.
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