Let’s talk about the drama.
That glossy, clear look you see in this photo? That IS the glycerin. And that little sweaty dew that shows up sometimes on top? Also glycerin.
When I first started making soap here in Florida I thought I ruined it. I would wipe the top, and an hour later it was back, all dewy.
That’s because glycerin is a humectant. It pulls moisture from the air to your skin. That’s why your skin feels soft after handmade soap and tight after the store stuff — the big companies actually take the glycerin out and sell it separately. I leave it in.
So here is what happens:
First, you will see the good gloss.
In the photo above, look at that clear blue center. That’s not plastic, that’s just pure glycerin catching the light. That’s how you know it’s moisturizing.
Second, you might see the dew.
In our humidity, that same glycerin keeps pulling moisture even after the soap is wrapped. It forms little beads on top. We call it glycerin dew. It’s not melting. It’s just doing its job. If you see it, just pat it off or leave the bar out to breathe.
Third, you might see rivers.
Those sparkly clear lines inside the blue swirl? Those are glycerin rivers. They happen when the soap gets warm while it’s setting up. Every small batch does it a little different.
So if your bar looks a little sweaty or has those clear rivers inside, it’s not a flaw. It’s proof that it’s real. Real hands, real mess, real soap.
Just keep it on a draining dish so it can dry between uses and it will last you forever.
— Mendy