Hand milling requires additional water in order to help form a semi- liquid state allowing for incorporation of herbs, grains, essential oils and other additives. This soap needs more time in the mould and more curing time out of the mould due to the extra moisture content. Soaps that are well cured and have a low moisture content are the longest lasting soaps. The best reason is to achieve a product that has a much higher medicinal value than first run soaps. Herbs and plant matter are not strong enough to weather the saponification storm, therefore lose significant therapeutic value when added after trace.
Essential oils are much stronger but still lose a portion of their therapeutic value.
After 48 hours, most soaps have been turned into their salt status, and are inactive, therefore will not damage any herb or plant material at that point. A wider range of colours can also be attained through this process. Most soap makers know to add their extra ingredients after the soap has traced, but if you plan to handmill you may skip this step. Try one of the following recipes using your favourite base formula. After 48 hours, remove soap from the mould.