A few years back I was strolling in one of the upscale malls in my area and came across a soap store. Yes, a soap store! In other words, heaven on earth for those obsessed with bath and beauty (ME!). The soaps were so beautiful, all different colors, shapes, and sizes. And the scents! Lavender, vanilla, and even more exotic ones like yellow cake, cotton candy, and melon slushie! I walked around the store, delighted at every turn, yet after a while walked out without making a purchase. Why? It turns out the soaps were not all natural. They were made with artificial colors and fragrances, which can be quite irritating to the skin. Needless to say, I was disappointed.

I always feel excitement when I get e-mails from readers! Last week an e-mail from Sara reminded me I wanted to give soap making a try. Making your own cosmetics isn’t as hard as you (and I used to) think it is! I’ve found an easy soap recipe you can use to make your own homemade soap. The great thing about it is you can vary the recipe to suit your needs. Don’t like strawberries? Try oatmeal. Like a more fragrant soap?  Add essential oils. The possibilities are endless!

Making your own natural soap can be fun!

Here’s what you will need:

A soap bar, shredded – I recommend glycerin bar soap or a castile soap bar (I like Kirk’s Castile-) 2 cups OR liquid glycerin 2 cups
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbsp almond oil
1/4 tsp Vitamin E
2-3 strawberries
Glass bowl or measuring cup
Pot
Water
Spoon
Mold

1. Grate the soap bar into a glass bowl or measuring cup. It will resemble mozzarella cheese but please don’t put this on your pizza!
2. Add almond milk and oil, mix well.
3. Boil water and place the heat resistant glass bowl/cup inside the pot.
4. Stir the mixture as it melts.
5. Keep stirring over the next 45 minutes.
6. Puree the strawberries and mix with the Vitamin E.
7. Remove soap mixture from heat, add strawberries and Vit E.  Stir.
8. Pour into molds. After 3-4 weeks, they will be ready to use!

In total the process takes about 45 minutes and you are left with a beautiful natural soap! In this way, you’re sort of like the mad scientist….of soap! I was even thinking of making this my class science project for this year. If you attempt the process, I’d love to hear your results as well as the concoctions you come up with.

Watch the video at Youtube as it gives you complete directions, plus photos for each step. Thanks to Tangela (aka Lenise2Me on Youtube) for this great video tutorial. Please make sure to visit her website Classic Bath and Body Products and check out all her yummy looking soap creations!

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!