This is day 12 of my 30 day blogging challenge. My goal this month is to post one recipe every day. These recipes feature natural colorants and additives and are scented using natural essential oil blends.

Coconut Oil Free Cold Process Soap

They will all fit into a 10″ silicone loaf mold (affiliate link http://www.brambleberry.com/10-Silicone-Loaf-Mold–P5199.aspx?bb=5) from Bramble Berry. So let’s get started!

blueberry and nettle soap

Featured Ingredients:

Babassu oil – Babassu oil is a great sub for coconut oil. Some people are simply allergic to coconut oil but still want a nice and bubbly bar of soap.

Blueberry Seeds – I LOVE blueberry seeds for exfoliation. They provide a gentle exfoliation and seem less scratchy than other exfoliants with sharper edges and cuts. They also provide an interesting color variation in soap and give it a speckled look. Don’t want a scrubby soap? Leave them out!

Nettle Powder – Nettle has been used for centuries to alleviate skin issues from eczema to acne and everything in between. It has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.

Coconut Oil-Free Cold Process Soap

Babassu oil – 10 oz.
Shea butter – 4 oz.
Olive oil – 10 oz.
Castor oil – 2 oz.
Rice Bran oil – 4 oz.
Avocado oil – 2 oz.

Lye – 4.4 oz.
Water – 9 oz.

Additives:
Blueberry Seeds – 1 teaspoon (leave out if you don’t want exfoliating soap)
Nettle Powder – 2 teaspoons

Essential Oil Blend:

Lemon (or orange) Essential oil – 20 grams
Patchouli Essential oil – 20 grams
Litsea Essential Oil – 20 grams

Basic Soapmaking Process:

New to soapmaking? Visit our basic tutorial here.

Step 1 – Wearing safety gear, weigh out the lye and water into two separate containers.

Step 2 – Pour the lye into the water while stirring. Place in a safe place and let cool while you prepare the oils.

Step 3 – Weigh out the hard oils/butters and melt.

Step 4 – Weigh the liquid oils into the melted oils/butters. This helps cool the oils down.

Step 5 – Add essential oils and additives to the melted oils. Stick-blend to get rid of clumps if any occur.

Step 6 – Once both the lye solution and oils have cooled to under 100° F, add the lye solution to the oils and mix to trace. Be sure to wear goggles and gloves!

Step 7 – Pour the soap into your mold.

Step 8 – Unmold, cut and cure your soap for at least 8 weeks.

 

Happy Soaping!

Amanda Gail