Melt & Pour glycerin soap gives you an easy start to soap making: simply melt, color, scent, and pour into a mold. The most important question for beginners remains: should I choose a clear or white base? The following article clarifies the differences and gives you a quick and clear answer.
What is glycerin soap?
A ready-to-melt and pour soap base containing moisturizing glycerin and ingredients that solidify after cooling. The base is available in two basic versions:
- Transparent: It gives a glassy appearance that shows what's inside the soap.
- White: It has a bleaching agent added to it that gives a creamy, opaque color.
The difference between transparent and white
- Appearance:
- Transparent = glossy and glassy. | White = creamy and opaque.
- Show internal content:
- Clear is excellent for showcasing flowers/cuttings/glitter. | White does not show the inside.
- colors:
- Transparent colors offer bright, luminous shades. | White provides soft, harmonious pastel colors.
- Concealing flaws:
- Transparent highlights bubbles/unevenness. | White hides them better.
- Dark perfumes:
- The transparent material may be slightly stained. | White often visually conceals it.
Suitable uses for each type
transparent
- Transparent layers and light effects.
- Highlight internal elements (scraps, small soap-safe models).
- Fun and seasonal designs depicted in an appealing way.
White
- Elegant gifts with a uniform creamy appearance.
- Pastel colors and raised graphics/letters.
- Projects that need to hide flaws quickly.
Quick comparison
- Want to show off the interior and a glass effect? → Transparent
- Want a uniform color and a smooth finish that hides imperfections? → White
- Do you use dark perfumes and worry about staining? → White
- Are you working on layered/transparent designs ? → Transparent
Tips for beginners (brief)
- Melting: Heat gently (approximately 60–75°C) without boiling.
- Perfume: 1–2% of the base weight and with oils specifically for soap .
- Colors: Add gradually until you reach the desired shade.
- Bubbles: Spray the pouring surface with 70% isopropanol alcohol immediately.
- Storage and packaging: Wrap immediately after solidification to reduce glycerin “sweating”, and store in a cool, dry place.
Summary
Clear soap shines and reveals the soap's contents, while white soap provides a smooth, creamy finish and conceals imperfections. Choose based on your desired visual effect and your preferred fragrance/color behavior. If you're still undecided, start with two similarly scented bars: one clear and one white—and let the visuals and impression speak for themselves.
