A thought for the day: If there’s a reason you can’t use an ingredient…

I see e-mail messages and comments all the time asking how to substitute something in a recipe because someone has an allergy or are vegan or have a special need or political belief that means they can’t use an ingredient, and my suggestion is to learn what the ingredient brings to the product and learn...

You are not logged in. This content is for $3 Level, $5 Level, and $10 Level members only. Please login if you are a member.
Log InSubscribe

Weekend Wonderings: Decyl glucoside in laundry detergents and greasiness of coconut oil in lotions with a quick note about e-mail

In this post on decyl glucoside, Mandy asks: Does anyone know if there is a powdered form of decyl glucoside? Or, is there another powdered surfactant that would work well as a laundry detergent?  I wouldn’t take the chance, to be honest. I know a few people who have ruined their very expensive machines by making...

You are not logged in. This content is for $3 Level, $5 Level, and $10 Level members only. Please login if you are a member.
Log InSubscribe

Chemistry Friday: Why do we care about mixing and solubility?

I’ve shown you this picture many times before, but I present it again as an illustration for this post! Both bottles contain the same liquid – my toner recipe – but I added a ton of extracts to bottle 2. When I made the product and added the extracts at cool down (below 45˚C), it...

You are not logged in. This content is for $3 Level, $5 Level, and $10 Level members only. Please login if you are a member.
Log InSubscribe

I’ve written up a new SnapGuide – making soy wax tarts!

Can you tell I’m off work for the week? I’ve created a new SnapGuide visual tutorial on making soy candle wax tarts! I starting making these when my massage therapist mentioned how much she loved the idea but hated the fragrance choices, and I was so happy to see Voyageur Soap & Candle had the...

You are not logged in. This content is for $3 Level, $5 Level, and $10 Level members only. Please login if you are a member.
Log InSubscribe

When good products go wrong!

I’m enjoying some holiday time workshop fun this week, and I have all kinds of fun new ingredients and products to share with you, but I had to share this product! I had this idea to make a Japanese themed body wash with bamboo, sake, willow, and green tea, scented with Bramble Darry’s amazing Yuzu fragrance...

You are not logged in. This content is for $3 Level, $5 Level, and $10 Level members only. Please login if you are a member.
Log InSubscribe