MELT AND POUR SOAP BASES: A COMPLETE GUIDE

WHAT IS MELT AND POUR SOAP?

“Melt and Pour Soap” is the name given to soap bases that have already undergone the usual soap-making process – in which particular oils are combined with an alkaline solution to create a reaction known as saponification. Bulk soap bases are ready to use; simply melt the base, then pour into a mold, and allow it to set. In other words, Melt and Pour soap is pre-saponified soap that can be used with or without further chemical processing or customization.

The specific type of fat that was used to create the soap is the fat after which that particular Melt and Pour soap base will be named. To illustrate, a soap base that is produced with a substantial quantity of Shea Butter or Goat’s Milk will be named Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap and Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour Soap, respectively. Likewise, any other distinctive constituent incorporated into the soap will be the ingredient after which the base is named.

IS MELT AND POUR TRUE SOAP?

Like “true” soap, Melt and Pour soap has been made through the saponification process with a combination of ingredients that are also used in traditional soaps – which might be considered to be more “true” – and these include natural oils as well as lye, thus Melt and Pour soap does not need to have lye added to it, as doing so would be an unnecessary extra step that would cause the soap base to potentially burn the skin.

Additional Glycerin is added to the Melt and Pour soaps, offering more soothing and hydrating properties to the skin. It also helps produce clear soaps that can be easily colored and shaped and that are gentle on the skin, making Melt and Pour soap ideal for use on sensitive skin types. In summary, Melt and Pour soap is also considered to be “true” soap.

BENEFITS OF USING MELT AND POUR SOAP BASES

Although Melt and Pour soap incorporates synthetic substances, which may range from foaming agents and alcohol-based emulsifiers to solvents, these chemical elements enable Melt and Pour soap to liquefy in order that it may be formed into the preferred design. Cold process soaps usually contain less Glycerin than Melt and Pour soaps, thus they are more likely to be drying on the skin.

The foremost benefit of using Melt and Pour soap bases is that the user does not have to deal with the caustic substance known as Lye, as it has already been incorporated into the soap base in advance. The user-friendly nature of Melt and Pour soap is another benefit of these bases, as this method makes it uncomplicated to quickly achieve professional-quality soap bars with luxurious appearances, scents, and textures, all of which can be customized with a wide variety of artistic possibilities.

Another key benefit of Melt and Pour soap bases is that, unlike cold-processed soaps, the final product does not require a curing period, that is to say there is no days- or weeks-long stretch of time during which the soap must be left untouched in order for the lye to be neutralized and for the saponification process to be completed; once Melt and Pour soaps have been removed from their molds, they are ready to use immediately. The longer the soap sits, the harder and milder it will become.

HOW TO SELECT THE IDEAL MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE

Melt and Pour soap bases can include a wide array of diverse components, such as milks, oils, and other fatty ingredients as well as other raw materials, that allow each base to exhibit unique features, both in terms of physical appearance as well as in terms of how they behave on the skin. For this reason, it helps to have an idea of the desired effect that one hopes to achieve with a soap. Some factors to consider include the color, the clarity, the texture, the amount of lather, the moisturizing capacity and its effects on particular skin types, and the scent. To determine which Melt and Pour soap base is best suited to your specific needs, use the soap base descriptions below as a guide:

New Directions Aromatics’ Melt and Pour soap bases are sourced from Stephenson Personal Care. Each variety of Glycerin soap is 100% Vegetable-based, making them biodegradable and free of animal testing. Their formulas result in smooth, creamy textures as well as skin-nourishing lather that is highly-moisturizing. They do not incorporate artificial colors or scents. They are either scentless or have neutral scents that help them maintain compatibility with a wide range of fragrances, offering a superior “lift” to each scent – that is, they enable the scent of each customized soap to distribute itself swiftly and widely. Each soap has a pH between 9.5-10.5, and each is safe for use on all skin types, including the most sensitive; however, due to the deeply-hydrating humectant property of Glycerin, they may not be ideal for those with acne-prone skin, as the profound moisture could potentially aggravate the condition. In order to confirm Glycerin soaps’ effects on any skin type, a skin patch test is recommended. Stephenson’s Melt and Pour soap bases result in finished products that clean the skin without eliminating the skin’s essential natural oils or distressing its natural pH balance and without leaving an undesirable residue; rather, Melt and Pour soap is said to leave a thin humectant film of Glycerin on the skin after it has been rinsed off, and this beneficial layer helps to attract moisture from the air to the skin, thus maintaining the look and feel of skin that is healthy and supple.

To begin working with Melt and Pour soap, select a soap base that contains your preferred key ingredients and appearance, then determine how your ideal additives – fragrances, colorants, and others – will function in that base…

WHITE MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL WST”)

The color of this Melt and Pour soap base ranges in appearance from cream to white (the natural pigment Titanium Dioxide has been added to give it a white opacity). This base is most commonly chosen for producing soaps that are opaque in clarity and that are entirely bright white, softly-colored in pastel hues, or in need of a bright white foundation to exhibit ornate artistic compositions, as this base absorbs and displays pigments well. This base begins to melt at 60 ᵒC (140 ᵒF) and is fully melted at 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF). It is reputed to produce exceptional lather.

CLEAR MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL ST”)

This colorless, transparent base has high clarity that makes it ideal for embedding natural additives as well as small objects. Furthermore, its uncolored state allows for exceptional color intensity. The clear soap base begins to melt at 60 ᵒC (140 ᵒF) and is fully melted at 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF).

GOAT'S MILK MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL GOAT'S MILK”)

This white soap base has been infused with Goat’s Milk – a natural, soothing moisturizer that is rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals, all of which work in conjunction to nourish and hydrate skin and to generally support skin health. This base begins to melt at 60 ᵒC (140 ᵒF) and is fully melted at 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF).

OLIVE MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL OV”)

This translucent soap base is infused with pure Virgin Olive Oil, which not only contributes to its slightly greenish hue but also gives the soap a luxurious, moisturizing lather. This base begins to melt at 60 ᵒC (140 ᵒF) and is fully melted at 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF).

SHEA BUTTER MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL SHEA”)

This opaque soap base contains 5% Shea Butter, which lends it a smooth, creamy, and luxurious texture, although it might not produce as much lather as other soap bases. This, however, does not negate the soap’s potency, as it will continue to cleanse and to exhibit its naturally-rich emollience. This base is free of all surfactants and Propylene glycol. This base begins to melt at 60 ᵒC (140 ᵒF) and is fully melted at 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF).

VANILLA STABLE MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL HCVS”)

When soap bases are combined with Vanilla fragrances or fragrances that contain the constituent Vanillin, the reaction discolors soaps; hence, this Melt and Pour soap base is distinctly designed to resist this color change and to maintain excellent color stability when blended with up to 2% Vanilla/Vanillin, even when it is exposed to high temperatures for lengthy stretches of time. The outstanding transparent clarity of this soap base results in final products with brilliant color pigmentation.

NCO MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL NCO”)
This soap base is produced using 100% certified organic oils but is not certified organic. It receives its natural “light butterscotch” coloring from its unique formula, which contains natural, organic oils. The oils are also the elements that contribute to the soap’s reduced transparency. Due to the organic nature of the base, the color of the base may vary from batch to batch, which in turn might affect the appearance of final soap products, thus it is recommended that small test batches be made prior to full-scale production. In keeping with its organic nature, this base is free from preservatives as well as foam-boosting agents. Its neutral scent offers added scents a superior fragrance lift.

NATURAL SLS-FREE MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL NATURAL/CRYSTAL NATURAL HF”)

As its name suggests, this soap base is free from sulfates and from surfactants or “foam boosters,” namely Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodium Laureth Sulphate – more commonly referred to as SLS and SLES. It is also free from Propylene glycol, Polyethylene glycols (PEG), Phenoxyethanol, and parabens. While this opaque base will not turn yellow during processing, it tends to get extremely cloudy with high potential for a mottled appearance, which is essentially uneven coloring, during the cooling phase of production. This outcome affects only the appearance and thus does not have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the soap. The best way to eliminate this mottled appearance is to first lay the finished soap bar on its side, then cut it horizontally, one layer at a time, from top to bottom, and then to re-melt the soap base. This base has a gentle effect on the skin and produces excellent lather. Its odor-free characteristic means that added fragrances are given an excellent scent throw.

SUSPENDING MELT AND POUR SOAP BASE (STEPHENSON PERSONAL CARE: “CRYSTAL SUSPENDING”)

This exclusive formulation is specifically intended to enable additives, such as exfoliants, toys, glitter, and any other preferred embeds, to remain suspended in the final product in order to create the floating effect. Silica is the vital component that creates the conditions necessary for this base to function as a suspending medium.

This semi-transparent base enables excellent color saturation, and its endless creative potential makes it ideal for use in ornamental yet functional soap bars. Heavy additives could potentially impact the ability of the soap base to support their weight, thus it is suggested that these be added to the base when it has reached a cooler temperature at which time it will be denser and more inclined to help additives stay afloat. When stirring additives into the liquified soap base, it is imperative to stir them in slowly and gently, as stirring too quickly brings air into the blend and the properties of Silica will prevent this air from escaping, and this will have a cloudy effect on the base. This base is as gentle and luxurious on the skin as all the other Melt and Pour soaps from Stephenson!

Check out our full list of supplies for soap. 

HOW TO USE MELT AND POUR SOAP

Begin by placing the chosen soap base on a clean cutting board and slicing the soap base into small chunks with the aid of a large, clean knife.

Next, place the chunks in a clean container that is heat-safe for use in a microwave or a double boiler. Heat the soap in short intervals of either 30 seconds or 1 minute at a time to prevent the base from overheating or boiling, stirring gently between intervals. Repeat this heating and stirring process until all the soap has liquified. For a two-pound brick of soap, the total melting time will take approximately 5 minutes. The final melted base will likely be more than 80 ᵒC (180 ᵒF) and thus must be handled with extra care.

Additives, such as scents, colors, and botanicals, can now be incorporated into the melted soap base (see chart below for suggested usage amounts). Again, it is important to stir them in gently to prevent excess bubbles, although these can be removed with a light spray of rubbing alcohol once the soap has been poured into the mold.

Once the desired additives have been thoroughly combined into the soap base, the mixture can be poured into silicone molds of personal preference. It is important to avoid using glass or metal molds, as these materials can make it difficult to remove the final products. After the mold has been filled, it can be left to begin cooling at room temperature.

Ideally, 4-6 hours will be enough for the soap in the molds to harden enough to be removed. If not, the molds can be placed in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to facilitate the hardening process, though this should be avoided if possible. Once unmolded, the soap bars will be ready to use. Any defects can be either smoothed down with a cloth or carefully and neatly sliced off with a knife. A large soap loaf can be further cut into smaller pieces by first turning the loaf onto its side – avoid cutting it from the top down – and using a large knife or soap cutter to slice the loaf vertically on its side.

Wrap the final Melt and Pour soap bars immediately in non-porous packaging, such as cling wrap/film. If a Glycerin soap bar is not wrapped, the soap will be susceptible to sweating and shrinkage.

Finally, before and after use in the shower, store Melt and Pour soaps in a cool, dry place.

Watch the video below to see how quickly and easily Melt and Pour soaps can be made:

Watch the Stephenson Personal Care Melt & Pour Process from Stephenson Personal Care on Vimeo.

HOW MUCH MELT AND POUR SOAP DO YOU NEED?

A two-pound block of Melt and Pour soap base can yield between 10-20 soap bars, depending on the desired size of the finished soap bars.

HOW LONG DOES MELT AND POUR SOAP LAST?

Melt and Pour soaps will last approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on how often they are used and whether they are treated with the recommended suggestions for proper care; they should not remain exposed to air, as this will cause the water in the soap bar to continue evaporating, resulting in a shrunken or dissolving soap bar. For this reason, it is advisable to remove the soap from the shower after each use.

WHAT CAN YOU ADD TO MELT AND POUR SOAP?

• Soap-Safe Fragrances (see chart below)
• Soap-Safe Colorants (see chart below)
• Botanicals (see chart below)
• Embedded Objects (e.g. miniature toys)
• Another Variety of Melt and Pour Soap (e.g. fragments of colored soap that is made from another soap base or that has a contrasting color)

Learn how to make various products from Stephenson Personal Care on Vimeo.

Click the following link to learn how to quickly and easily create Activated Charcoal-enriched shaving soap: https://www.stephensonpersonalcare.com/blog/2018-11-28-how-to-make-a-charcoal-shaving-soap

HOW LONG DOES MELT AND POUR SOAP TAKE TO SET?

On average, Melt and Pour soap takes approximately 4-6 hours to completely harden; however, the actual time will depend on factors such as the room temperature as well as chosen additives. It is important to remember not to remove the cooling soap from the mold before it has been given enough time to harden. The soap’s softness may also make it easier for fingerprints or other depressions to be left on the soap.

WHY DOES MELT AND POUR SOAP SWEAT?

Melt and Pour soap, or “Glycerin Soap,” is known to naturally “sweat.” Glycerin is a humectant, which draws moisture from the air, and this moisture can appear as small water droplets covering the surface of the soap. This should not be a cause for concern. Maintaining a steady temperature in the soap-making area and keeping a humidifier on during the cooling process could help eliminate this occurrence. Melt and Pour soaps also sweat when they are 1) frozen and then thawed 2) refrigerated immediately after being poured into molds rather than when they have already begun to harden. For more information on soap sweat and how to prevent it, visit https://www.stephensonpersonalcare.com/blog/2018-02-27-soap-sweating-how-to-fix-it

CAN YOU MIX MELT AND POUR SOAP BASES?

Yes, different Melt and Pour soap bases may be mixed together.

LAYERING MELT AND POUR SOAP

Melt and Pour soap bases can be layered. Begin by pouring a small amount of the first liquified soap base into the preferred mold and waiting 10 minutes for this layer to cool. Once it has cooled, spray a thin layer of rubbing alcohol over it to eliminate air bubbles, to ensure overall smoothness, and to enable the layers to stick together. It is crucial to be conscious of the temperature of each following layer, which can inadvertently melt the previous one if it is too hot. This process can be repeated until the mold is filled.

BEST PACKAGING FOR MELT AND POUR SOAP / WRAPPING MELT AND POUR SOAP

The best and most popular wrapping for finished Melt and Pour soap products is a non-porous material, such as plastic wrap/cling wrap/shrink wrap.

CAN I REMELT MELT AND POUR SOAP

Re-melting Melt and Pour soap is possible, and Stephenson Melt and Pour soaps may be re-melted and re-poured multiple times.