One of the things to like about soap making is the variety of natural additives available. You will find spices, flowers, coffees, and teas. Salt, oats, blackberries, and strawberries are also excellent additions. Many of these natural additives not only have soap-like exfoliating properties and a lovely colour but also have antibacterial properties 💓
Melt & Pour - Since the molten base is thin, additives can sink to the bottom if you don't wait until it cools down before adding them. If you heat the base too much, it can burn and become gloopy, making it difficult to work into a mould. Melt and pour soap cools and hardens easily so you'll need to learn how to time it correctly when incorporating additives. In melt and pour soaps, some additives perform better than others. For the best outcome, use sandalwood powder or dried calendula flower petals. Several herbs appear to change colours such as exfoliants, fruit seeds, milk powders and other ingredients.
Cold Process - The majority of botanicals don't do well in cold process soaps. They turn brown and unattractive due to the high pH and water content. If you wish to use pretty botanicals like flower petals or buds, don't mix them into the soap and instead, when the soap is in its gel form, press them into the soap's surface, which can take up to 2-3 hours after pouring it into the mould.