Why is there a translucent ring in the middle of my soap?
Short answer
That's a partial gel: the center heated through gel phase but the edges didn't. It's cosmetic only; extend the cure.
Explanation
Uneven insulation or cooling lets the warm center gel while the cooler edges stay opaque. The bar is sound; it's a visual issue. Because ungelled soap cures more slowly, extend the cure to 6–8 weeks.
What to do
- Insulate evenly if you want full gel, or chill evenly if you don't.
- Commit to one approach per batch rather than something in between.
Source: The Big Book of Homemade Soap — The Gel Phase in Cold & Hot Process Soapmaking