Soapedia: Your Guide to Soapaliciousness
ByA 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
- 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!
- Add almond milk and oil, mix well.
- Boil water and place the heat resistant glass bowl/cup inside the pot.
- Stir the mixture as it melts.
- Keep stirring over the next 45 minutes.
- Puree the strawberries and mix with the Vitamin E.
- Remove soap mixture from heat, add strawberries and Vit E. Stir.
- 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!
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Twitter: skyiseternal
says:
Ya this is the melt and pour style of soap which is pretty simple to prepare and the new soap can be used right away. And, you can be as innovative as possible by adding your own exfoliators and moisturizer ingredients.
But, a basic problem with such soaps is to find the basic soap which will be melted. It is advised to get a pure castile soap but I am not very sure how much of the castile soap is pure. Penny for your thoughts.
Swathy´s last [type] ..Carrot Face Mask
Twitter: jewelsonawhim
says:
Robin,
I never knew it could be so easy! I’ve seen recipes for soap before, but they always made it more difficult than that…? This is great! I’m going to try it! Thanks for posting.
Twitter: crunchybetty
says:
Oh how fun! I’ve yet to try soap myself. I’m so glad you posted this, though. Sounds like the absolute perfect way to get your feet wet (and clean)!
Thanks, girlie!
Leslie @ crunchybetty´s last [type] ..Farmers Market Facials – Pumpkin!
Trish, I always felt the same way that it was SO hard! I absolutely love this recipe and how easy it is. Let me know how yours comes out!
Robin
LOL Leslie….soap making sure is good clean fun
Swathy,
Thanks for clarifying that for me. So the soap can be used right away? In the video it said to wait 3-4 weeks….I wasn’t clear on that part! For the basic soap to melt, I suggest using Dr. Bronner’s castille soap or Kirk’s Castile (we actually have that in the grocery store here in Florida, but you can probably find it online.)
check out our all natural soaps!
Sheila´s last [type] ..Bee Balm Powder Soap-Bath-Fixin Making Supplies! Lots!
I love making soap! I did melt and pour and added dried lavender and jasmine oil (among other combos) – so much fun, especially for people like us!
Annie´s last [type] ..Happy September!
Yay, Annie! Your homemade soap sounds wonderful!!!
Twitter: skyiseternal
says:
Hi Robin
Yes, the melt and pour soaps are ready to use right away. The waiting period of 3 weeks is for soaps made from scratch. This is because the soap needs to ‘cure’ to evaporate away the water used in the process and makes the soap milder so that the soap and its lather is long lasting. So, generally, a soap should be cured for around 2-3 months in air.
I have a question to ask: Did the soap get rancid due to the usage of strawberries as they are natural ingredients or was the soap used by the time it reached that stage. You can also add orange peels or almond or walnut powder to make the soap exfoliating
Swathy´s last [type] ..Vitamin E and Evening Primrose for Healthy Hair
This is pretty awesome! I love how you can totally customize your scent.
Twitter: OnlyEssentials
says:
Get Your Glow on! You should come on over to my website, I have all those luscious things and more! My soaps are also great for those with sensitive skin. My soaps are totally pure and natural with absolutely NO chemicals, synthetic fragrences or dyes in them. Every bit is handmade from the goodness that Mother Earth provides! I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to make them yourself but melt and pours aren’t giving you the purity of product I can!
Your soaps sound great. Some people simply don’t want to make their own, so being able to purchase safe natural soaps online is a great option. Thanks for commenting.
-Robin
Twitter: OnlyEssentials
says:
Your very welcome Robin! I have a good time making soaps from scratch. As a previous poster said, I do feel a bit like a mad scientist in that I decide what I want my soap to do then start mixing and building and stirring in the wonderful fragrances from the essential oils that help build a truly healthy product.