Shaving base Crystal Shaving Base (SSB) 1 kg

Crystal Shaving Base (SSB): The Ultimate Foundation for Luxurious Shaving Soaps

Unleash the art of traditional wet shaving with Crystal Shaving Base (SSB), a premium white semi-solid soap mass expertly crafted in the United Kingdom by Stephenson Personal Care. This innovative melt-and-pour base is specifically designed to create rich, creamy, and long-lasting lather, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and comfortable shave. With its gentle formula and optimal pH range of 7.5 – 8.5, it's the perfect foundation for custom shaving soaps that deliver both performance and skin-loving benefits.

Description and Key Features

Crystal Shaving Base (SSB) (INCI: Aqua, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Cocoate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Glycerine, Pentasodium Pentetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Coconut Acid) is a pre-formulated soap base engineered for superior shaving performance. Its unique blend of ingredients, including high levels of Glycerin and Coconut Acid, contributes to its exceptional moisturizing properties and dense, stable lather.

Key features and benefits:

• Luxurious Lather: Designed to produce a thick, creamy, and stable lather that cushions the skin, lifts the beard, and allows for effortless razor glide, minimizing irritation and razor burn.
• Superior Glide: The inclusion of Dimethicone helps to create a silky barrier on the skin, enhancing razor glide for a closer and more comfortable shave.
• Moisturizing Properties: Rich in Glycerin and derived from Coconut Acid, this base ensures deep hydration, leaving skin feeling soft, supple, and never dry or tight after shaving.
• Easy to Use Melt & Pour: With a melting point of 60-65°C, it's incredibly simple to melt, customize, and mold, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced crafters in soap making and home cosmetology.
• Customizable: A blank canvas ready for your personal touch, allowing you to add various nourishing oils, essential oils, fragrances, and colorants.
• Gentle pH: Maintains a skin-friendly pH range of 7.5 – 8.5, ensuring a non-irritating shaving experience.

Versatile Applications and Usage Areas

Crystal Shaving Base (SSB) is primarily designed for creating bespoke shaving soaps but can also be adapted for other specialized cosmetic applications where a rich, moisturizing lather is desired. (Note: This product is not for use in candles).

• Shaving Soap Making: This is the core application for SSB. Craft luxurious shaving soaps in various forms (tubs, pucks, sticks) for men and women. The base provides:
  • Excellent Razor Glide: For a smooth, comfortable shave with minimal tugging.
  • Rich, Dense Lather: Essential for softening stubble and protecting the skin.
  • Post-Shave Comfort: Leaves skin feeling hydrated and soothed.
• Home Cosmetology & DIY Personal Care:
  • Melt & Pour Soap Making: While specifically formulated for shaving, its rich lather and moisturizing properties can be adapted for highly moisturizing bath and body soaps, especially for those with sensitive skin who prefer a very creamy feel.
  • Beard Washes/Cleansers: Create a specialized wash for beards that cleanses gently while keeping the beard hair soft and manageable, leveraging the base's moisturizing qualities.
  • Face Cleansers (Specific Formulations): With careful adjustment and addition of skin-specific ingredients, it can form the basis for a deeply cleansing, yet non-stripping facial cleanser, especially for those who prefer a solid or semi-solid format.

Recommended Inclusion Rates (per 100g of base):

• Base Oils (e.g., Sweet Almond, Jojoba): Up to 1 teaspoon for added nourishment and conditioning.
• Essential Oils: 5-7 drops for natural fragrance and therapeutic benefits.
• Fragrance Oils: 3-4 drops for a wider range of scents (do not mix with essential oils when using fragrance oils to avoid overwhelming scent or unexpected reactions).
• Liquid Colorant: 1-5 drops to customize the aesthetic of your shaving soap.

Cosmetic Recipe: "Classic Gentleman's Shaving Soap"

Create a sophisticated and nourishing shaving soap designed for a superior traditional wet shave experience, using Crystal Shaving Base (SSB).

Instructions for Preparation:

1. Sanitize: Ensure all your equipment (heat-safe container, stirring utensil, mold) is thoroughly sanitized using isopropyl alcohol and completely dry.
2. Melt the Base: Cut the Crystal Shaving Base (SSB) into smaller chunks and place them in a heat-safe container. Melt gently in a microwave (using short 15-30 second bursts, stirring in between) or in a double boiler until fully liquid, reaching 60-65°C. Avoid overheating.
3. Add Base Oil: Once the base is completely melted, add the Sweet Almond Oil. Stir gently until fully incorporated.
4. Add Essential Oils: Remove the melted base from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly (to around 55-60°C). Then, add the Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Lavender Essential Oils. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the fragrance.
5. Add Colorant (Optional): If desired, add 1-2 drops of liquid blue mica colorant and stir until the desired shade is achieved.
6. Pour into Mold: Carefully pour the melted shaving soap mixture into your chosen shaving soap mold.
7. Spritz and Cool: Immediately spritz the surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove any air bubbles. Allow the soap to cool and harden completely at room temperature (this may take several hours or up to 24 hours depending on size). Do not place in the freezer, as this can cause cracking.
8. Unmold and Cure (Optional): Once fully hardened, carefully unmold the shaving soap. While not strictly necessary for melt & pour, allowing the soap to "cure" for a few days in a dry, open area can sometimes improve lather quality and longevity.

Recommendations for Application and Use:

• Pre-Shave Prep: For best results, prepare your face by washing it with warm water or placing a warm, damp towel on it for a few minutes. This helps soften the beard hairs.
• Lathering: Using a wet shaving brush, swirl it vigorously over the surface of the shaving soap to build a rich, thick lather. Apply the lather evenly to your face.
• Shaving: Shave with a sharp razor, rinsing the razor frequently.
• Post-Shave Care: After shaving, rinse your face with cool water and follow up with an aftershave balm or moisturizer to soothe and hydrate the skin.
• Storage: Store the shaving soap in a cool, dry place, preferably in a container with a lid, to protect it from moisture and preserve its scent.
• Customization: Experiment with different base oils (e.g., Jojoba, Argan) and essential oil blends (e.g., citrus for a refreshing scent, tea tree for antiseptic properties) to create unique shaving experiences. Always adhere to recommended usage rates for essential/fragrance oils.