Slow Down the Trace - Soap recipe

Weight	Amount
Water Weight	170.64 g
Lye Weight	69.65 g
Total Oil weight	504 g
Super Fat/Discount	5%
Fragrance Weight	15.12 g
Total Batch Weight	759.41 g

Oil	%	g
Olive Oil	35	176.4
Coconut Oil, 76 deg	20	100.8
Shea Butter	15	75.6
Castor Oil	5	25.2
Stearic Acid	10	50.4
Almond Oil, sweet	15	75.6

Water as percent of oil weight	33.86%
Water : Lye Ratio	2.45
Lye Concentration	28.99%
Saturated : Unsaturated	199:263

Notes

🧪 Instructions
1. Prepare your mold and workspace
Line your mold if needed.

Pre-measure all ingredients, including oils, fragrance, and additives.

2. Make the lye solution
Slowly sprinkle NaOH into the distilled water while stirring. Mix until fully dissolved.

Set aside in a safe place to cool to 90–110°F.

3. Melt and combine oils
Gently melt hard oils (coconut, shea, stearic acid) until just melted.

Add liquid oils (olive, castor, almond) and stir to combine.

Let cool to 90–100°F for a slower trace.

4. Combine lye and oils
When both are around the same temperature (90–100°F), slowly pour the lye solution into the oils.

Stick blend in short bursts until light trace is achieved (thin pudding consistency).

5. Add fragrance and extras
Add fragrance oil and optional additives (colorants, botanicals, etc.).

Stir gently to avoid accelerating trace.

6. Pour into mold
Pour the batter smoothly into the mold.

Tap the mold to remove air bubbles.

Optionally, texture the top or swirl.

7. Insulate and cure
Cover and insulate the mold for 24–48 hours.

Unmold once firm.

Cure bars in a cool, dry place with airflow for 4–6 weeks.

💡 Tips for Success
Cooler temps = slower trace (ideal here).

Avoid over-stirring after adding fragrance.

Stick blending just to emulsion gives more time to work.

Hardness	39	29 - 54
Cleansing	13	12 - 22
Conditioning	53	44 - 69
Bubbly	13	14 - 46
Creamy	26	16 - 48
Longevity	32	25 - 50
Iodine	60	41 - 70
INS	145	136 - 165

Min value

Max value

Your value

Lauric	10
Myristic	4
Palmitic	8
Stearic	18
Ricinoleic	4
Oleic	44
Linoleic	8
Linolenic	0

Recipe Link