Crafting the Perfect Soap

A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at crafting your own moisturizing cold process soap, you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll be sharing a basic recipe that not only provides skin-loving moisture but also captures the refreshing scent of our best-selling soap, Charcoal Spearmint Eucalyptus. So, let’s get started!

Ingredients you’ll need:

For the Soap Base:

• 12 oz Coconut Oil (Find it [here])
• 12 oz Olive Oil (Find it [here])
• 9 oz Shea Butter (Find it [here])
• 4.5 oz Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) (Find it [here])
• 10 oz Distilled Water

For Scent and Color:

• 1.5 oz Charcoal Powder (Find it [here])
• 1 oz Spearmint Essential Oil (Find it [here])
• 0.5 oz Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Find it [here])
• 0.5 oz Lavender Essential Oil (Find it [here])

Equipment You’ll Need:

• Safety goggles and gloves
• Stainless steel pot
• Plastic or wooden spoon
• Thermometer
• Digital kitchen scale
• Soap mold
• Stick blender

The Dos and Don’ts of Soap Making:

The Dos:

1. Safety First: Always wear safety goggles and gloves when working with lye. Ensure proper ventilation in your workspace.
2. Precise Measurement: Accurate measurement of ingredients is crucial for successful soap making. Use a digital kitchen scale.
3. Mixing Method: When mixing lye with water, always add lye to water, not the other way around. Stir until fully dissolved and let it cool to around 100°F (38°C).
4. Thorough Blending: Use a stick blender to mix your oils and lye-water until they reach trace, the point where the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
5. Scent and Color Addition: Incorporate essential oils and charcoal powder when your soap mixture is at trace. Mix thoroughly for even distribution.

The Don’ts:

1. No Rushing: Avoid rushing the soap-making process. Patience is key to achieving the best results.
2. Safety Gear: Never forget to wear safety goggles and gloves when handling lye. Protect your eyes and skin at all times.
3. Overmixing: Once you reach trace, avoid overmixing the soap mixture, as it may become challenging to pour into the mold.
4. Premature Use: Allow your soap to cure for at least 4-6 weeks. This period is essential for the soap to harden and become gentle on the skin.

Crafting Your Charcoal Spearmint Eucalyptus Lavender Soap:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Set up your equipment and ensure proper ventilation.
2. Safety Gear: Put on safety goggles and gloves.
3. Lye-Water Mixture: Carefully add lye to water and let it cool to 100°F (38°C).
4. Weigh and Mix Oils: Weigh and mix coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter in a stainless steel pot.
5. Combine Oils and Lye: When both lye-water and oils reach the right temperature, pour the lye-water into the pot with oils while stirring continuously.
6. Reach Trace: Use a stick blender to mix until trace is achieved.
7. Scent and Color: Add charcoal powder, spearmint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils. Mix thoroughly.
8. Mold and Insulate: Pour the mixture into your soap mold. Cover and insulate.
9. Unmold and Cut: After 24-48 hours, remove the soap from the mold, cut it into bars, and let it cure for 4-6 weeks.

Congratulations, you’ve just crafted your own moisturizing cold process soap with the invigorating scent of Charcoal Spearmint Eucalyptus Lavender! We hope you enjoy the process as much as we do.

For all your soap-making ingredients, essential oils, and charcoal powder, you can find them conveniently on Amazon through our affiliate links provided above. Happy soap crafting!