Lye Water Temperature 113ºF (45°C)
Oil Temperature 115ºF (46.1°C)

We experienced excessive acceleration and slight separation. After we added the lye water to the fragranced oils we pulsed the stick blender 3 times and we had what looked like homemade applesauce. There were small chunks of soap that had formed while some of the batter was smoother and some oils were separating from the batter. We considered just finishing this in the crockpot but decided to continue hand stirring to see if it would smooth out and hold together. Surprisingly, we were able to smooth out the lumps and there were no more signs of separation. As we stirred, the batter got thicker and thicker so we decided to put it into the mold and see how it turned out. We pressed the soap down as firmly as possible to minimize air pockets. After 24 hours, the soap was solid and firm. The outer edges of the soap turned a turmeric yellow color while the inside area discolored to a slightly tan shade. The scent was light and not easily recognizable. We could not determine how much of the soap went through the gel phase, if any. After 30 days, the soap discolored to a brown shade and the scent was very light but true to the out-of-bottle character. This fragrance would be ideal for people who prefer more subtly scented soaps. We recommend using this in other personal care applications like hot process, melt and pour soap, or lotions for a stronger scent experience.