There’s nothing quite like the feeling of using a luxurious, handmade soap. The combination of natural ingredients, delightful scents, and soothing textures can make your bath time feel like a spa experience. One such soap that has gained popularity in recent years is lavender and oatmeal cold process soap. This article will provide you with a detailed recipe for making this soap at home, as well as some additional soap making recipes to elevate your bath time experience.
Lavender and Oatmeal Cold Process Soap Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. coconut oil
- 8 oz. olive oil
- 4 oz. shea butter
- 4 oz. sweet almond oil
- 3.2 oz. lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 7.6 oz. distilled water
- 1 oz. lavender essential oil
- 1/2 cup ground oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare your work area by covering surfaces with newspaper or plastic and gather all necessary equipment such as a digital scale, stick blender, heat-resistant bowls, and a silicone soap mold.
- Wearing gloves and eye protection, carefully weigh out the lye and distilled water separately.
- Slowly pour the lye into the water (not the other way around) while stirring gently. The mixture will heat up and produce fumes; be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.
- Allow the lye solution to cool down to around 110°F (43°C).
- While the lye solution cools, weigh out the coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and sweet almond oil in a heat-resistant bowl. Gently heat in a microwave or double boiler until the oils have melted together.
- Allow the oils to cool down to around 110°F (43°C), similar to the lye solution.
- Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils, using a stick blender to mix until trace is reached (when the soap mixture thickens enough that you can see a trail left behind when drizzling it back onto itself).
- Add the lavender essential oil, ground oatmeal, and dried lavender flowers, if using. Mix thoroughly with the stick blender.
- Pour the soap mixture into a silicone mold and tap gently to release any air bubbles.
- Insulate the soap by covering it with a towel or blanket and let it sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours. After this time, you can remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
- Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks in a cool, dry place before using.
Additional Soap Making Recipes for Luxurious Bath Time
- Honey and Beeswax Soap: A moisturizing and nourishing soap made with honey and beeswax, which have natural antibacterial properties. This soap is great for sensitive skin.
- Activated Charcoal Detox Soap: Activated charcoal is known for its ability to draw out impurities from the skin, making this soap perfect for oily or acne-prone skin types.
- Rose Clay and Shea Butter Soap: Rose clay gently exfoliates the skin while shea butter provides deep hydration, making this soap perfect for dry or mature skin types.
- Citrus Burst Soap: A refreshing and invigorating soap made with a blend of citrus essential oils such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit, perfect for an energizing morning shower.
- Coffee Scrub Soap: Coffee grounds provide gentle exfoliation while coffee essential oil helps to neutralize odors, making this soap great for use in the kitchen or after working out.
By creating your own luxurious soaps at home, you can customize the ingredients to suit your skin type and preferences. Plus, handmade soaps make thoughtful and unique gifts for friends and family. Happy soap making!
