Lavender Soap Recipe – Purple Mica Soap Swirl

As a child, my room was painted in a lovely shade of lavender.  At the time I really did not appreciate the color and did not like until much later in life.  I find that lavender scented soap is very popular scent among the masses.  So if you are selling soap, you may want to consider making this beautiful cold process soap from Lovin' Soap called Purple Mica Soap Swirl.

Gumball Soap

When I saw this Gumball Soap from I'd Lather Be Soaping, it reminded me of piece of Brach''s candy that you would get at the bin at Safeway. And it is very similar looking to the Wonderbread melt and pour project from SoapyLove.  I really like out this cold process soap project came out and would like to try doing  it some day. But I have to practice my cold process soap making before I venture out on this project.

Swirling–A Cold Process Soap Tutorial

Love the look of the swirled soap? This is a vary popular technique in the cold process soapmaking world and there are alot of tutorials out there showing you how to do it. If you cannot find a class on how to do this techinque check out this swirling cold process soap tutorial from Riverlea Soap.

Faux Funnel Pour: Advanced Cold Process

Have you ever been amazed how a soapmaker makes a funnel swirled soap? It is really not that difficult but the Soap Queen has a tutorial titled Faux Funnel Pour: Advanced Cold Process which appears on her blog Soap and the Finer Things in Life. It takes 45 minutes to make this colorful soap. Allow it to hardened for 24 hours prior to cutting. Then allow it to cure. The yield on this recipe is 5 pounds. Even thou the colors for this soap reminds me of halloween, you can be your own artist and select colors that you suits your own liking.

Oils to use in Your Soap Making

Are you just getting started in making your soap by the cold process method? Are you confused with all the different oils you can use in your soaps? An article titled "Quality of Soap Making Oils" by David Fisher can tell you what you need to know. Each of the oils bring something different to the table.

"There are many oils used in the soapmaking process today and they are mostly food grade oils. We use liquid oils along with solid oils/fats to make a wonderful hard bar of soap. Along with being able to make your own soap, you can balance your oils to make some wonderful soaps to meet different skin needs. You can add more oils at the point of trace or just leave it at the level of superfat that the recipe calls for. Here are a listing of the oils that can be used and what their properties are.

Here are some of the oils David talks about. You may want to read the full article to see what oils can be used to create your own recipes.

Almond Oil (Sweet)

This oil is a popular oil for use in massage oils and general skin care. It is highly moisturizing, gives stable lather when used in making soap. Can be added at trace in soaps or with the other oils and as an addition in lotions, creams, body butters, lotion bars, etc. A few drops in facial masks helps with facial dryness. It is nutrient-rich and is suitable for all skin types.


In soaps use from 1/2 oz. 1 oz. per lb. of oils in your soap formula. Can be used alone or with other oils, butters, etc. when making lotions, creams, body butters, lotion bars, etc.


Apricot Kernel Oil

An emollient oil, it is especially good for premature aging skin, dry and sensitive skin. It is highly moisturizing, gives stable lather when used in making soap. Good for all skin types.


In soaps use from 1/2 oz. 1 oz. per lb. of oils in your soap formula. Can be used alone or with other oils, butters, etc. when making lotions, creams, body butters, lotion bars, etc.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a rich, nourishing oil that is good for soap, creams and lotions. Avocado oil is excellent in hair and scalp formulas. It absorbs into the skin and scalp easily and is high in Vitamin A & E. Is a good for dry and damaged skin and is known to help with Eczema and Psoriases some say even hair loss.

Use in making soap at up to 30%. Can be used alone or with other oils, butters, etc. when making lotions, creams, body butters, lotion bars, etc.

Beeswax

Is use in making soaps, creams, lip balms, ointments and lotions bars. If you use fresh Beeswax, it has a natural honey scent and also has the natural healing values that the bees impart to it.

You can use it at about 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. per lb. of oils in your soap formula to make your soaps harder. To make a spreadable ointment, use 1/2 oz. for each 4 oz. of liquid oil used.

Calendula Oil

This oil is made by infusing Calendula Petals in a good carrier oil like Olive or Sweet Almond. It is a light yellow colored oil. It is historically known for healing wounds, dry and damaged skin and for Eczema and soothing skin eruptions. Is very mild and a great addition for baby soaps, lotions and creams. Good for all skin types.

Canola Oil

This is one that can be added to soap aid in lather of the soap. Only small amounts should be used because to much will make the soap soft. Can also be used in small amount is lip balms, bath butters, etc.

Use 1/2 oz. per lb. of oils in a regular soap formula and 1 oz. per lb. of oils in a shampoo bar.

Cocoa Butter

Makes a wonderful addition to soaps to make them harder and add emollients. It has a natural chocolate smell which imparts a wonderful fragrance to a Cocoa Butter based cream, lotion and lotion bars. But if you don't want the scent to clash with you fragrances, there is an unscented Cocoa Butter that can be used. Has wonderful skin softening and moisturizing properties. Good for Normal to Dry skin.

Coconut Oil

This is one of the oils for soapmaking that give natural soap it lather. In it natural form it is very good for the skin. Beware of any product that says "derived from Coconut oil" this is the synthetic foam booster "sodium lauryl sulfate" that has been linked to many skin allergies. The natural Coconut Oil can be used in soaps, creams and lotions and is good for all skin types.

Can be used up to 30% on the oils, but if over that the superfatting should be at 7% or 8% or more because when this oil is saponified, it can be drying if not enough superfatting is added.

Carrot Root Oil

This is an oil that is a rich golden oil that is obtained from carrots, this is not the Carrot Seed Essential Oil. Carrot Root Oil is high in Vitamin A and Bata-Carotene and is a healing addition to facial oils, creams and lotions for dry and mature skin.

Emu Oil

Emu Oil is a deep penetrating oil that is known to draw into the skin anything that is used along with it. It is best to use this only with Essential Oils and herbs as it will help these work much better. The pure oil is said to help sore muscles, aching joints, pain and inflammation. So when combined with certain Essential Oils, can be a good pain reliever. Is not clogging to the skin and is very nourishing. Helps rejuvenate skin cells and reduces scarring. Good for helping Eczema and Psoriasis. Good for all skin types.

I have used this at 25% of a soap, but because of the expense that this oil can be for some, the use of about 1 oz. to 2 oz. per lb. of oils in a soap formula will impart the values of this oil. Can be added to lotion, cream, body butters, ointments, etc. at about 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. for each 16 oz. to 20 oz. of a formula.

Evening Primrose Oil

It has been researched well and is one of the few plant sources of GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) that is very therapeutic both internally and in natural skin care products. It blends well with other carrier oils, is mildly Astringent and it is an excellent treatment for dry, flaky skin and skin prone to Eczema, Psoriasis, etc.

This can be added at trace or with the other oils in a soap formula at about 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. per 1 lb. of oils in a soap formula. Is wonderful used along with other special oils in a lotion, cream, body butter, ointment, etc.

Grapeseed Oil

Is a green tinted oil and is used as a massage oil and as a base oil for lotions and creams for its emollient properties. It is widely used for hair conditioning and styling, imparting a rich silky luster and enhancing hair growth. This is a light, penetrating oil and it nourishing for all skin types.

Use maybe 1 to 2 Tbsp. per lb. of oils in a soap formula added at trace.

Hemp Seed Oil

A source of valuable essential fatty acids, high in minerals and Vitamin A. This is a wonderful emollient oil that is used in lotions, creams, hair conditioners and natural soap.

Used at about 25% of the soap oils in a formula or added at trace at about 1 oz. per lb. of oils in a soap formula.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba Oil is really not an oil, but a liquid wax. This oil has been used for many years in skin care products because of the healing power that is has. It is said to be closely related to human sebum and this makes is very compatible with our skin. It is said to help is fighting Acne and Pimples and is wonderful for dry and damaged skin.

I prefer to use this as a fixitive for the scenting oils in my soaps. Just a tsp. or 2 in with the scenting oils in a glass jar and then added at trace. This will give a bit to the superfatting of the soap as well.

Lard

Lard makes a wonderful hard white bar and was used as the main or only fat before vegetable oils were used in soapmaking. It makes a wonderful addition to the liquid vegetable oils that have a tendency to make a softer soap.

Can be used as 100% of a soap formula.

Mango Butter

Is a great addition to lip balms, lotions and creams for its moisturizing properties.

Use at about 15% of a soap formula.

Neem Oil

This oil is known for it help with skin problems like Eczema, Psoriasis, Dry Skin and as a natural Pesticide for farming.The usage recommendations are about 5% for soapmaking.

I use up to 10% for a healing skin care soap.

Olive Oil

Makes what is knows as a Castile soap. This oil is very good to the skin, soothing and emollient. It makes dinse tiny lather when used alone, but you can add a bit of Castor Oil to make larger and longer lasting bubbles.

Use at 100% for a true castile soap or at whatever precentage you wish. "

Information on Palm Kernal Oil, Palm Oil, Pumpkin Seed, Rice Bran, Safflower, Sesame, Shea, Soybean (liquid), Sunflower and Wheatgerm are also included in this article.

Mint Swirl Avocado Oil Soap Recipe - Cold Process

I found this interesting Mint Swirl Avocado Oil cold process soap recipe from Pure and Natural Soaps. What I found most interesting is how the author colored with Crayola crayons.  I have never seen or heard of that before, but if you feel uncomfortable with coloring your soap that way then use something more appropiate colorant which would work much better in cold process soapmaking. Colorants that are in a powder form would probably work much better. But you have to make sure that they are compatible for cold process soapmaking, some of them are not.

The author of this recipe mentions that they purchased their oils in the pharmacy of their local market.  Most of the stores in my area such as Safeway or Lucky do not carry them.  But I know that Whole Foods and Mollie Stone's do carry a selection of essential oils.  You may want to check your health food store to see what is available.

Pictures of Soap from Advanced Cold Process Soap Class at The Nova Studio

I wanted to share the pictures of the soaps that were made from Ruth Esteves's Advanced Cold Process Soap Class on August 22, 2009. If you would like to see what kinds of soaps are created in her class, you can check it out right here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41788645@N04/sets/72157622133724284

If you are interested in taking her class, then visit The Nova Studio's website at http://www.thenovastudio.com/ for the next class. There is a prerequisite of taking a Cold Process Soap class at The Nova Studio or prior experience with this method of soapmaking.

Confetti Soap For Cold Process Soapmakers

I have seen the confetti soap technique for melt and pour soapmaking, but in my search I found a recipe from Cranberry Lane for cold process soap makers:

http://www.cranberrylane.com/soap-techniques.htm

If you try this recipe, please let me know how it turns out.

Whipped Soap Recipes

I recently heard about whipped soap, but I was intriqued. So I went to the internet to see what it was all about. And I found these recipes:

http://nizzymoulds.com/Whipped/index.htm

http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/how-to-make-soap-whipped-cream.html

If you are one of those cold process soap makers who makes whipped soap and would like to share your recipes, please let me know what it is and I will post it here. And tells us why you like it so much!

Whipped Soap Cold Process Soap

From David Fisher,Your Guide to Candle & Soap Making

Let's Make Soap Whipped (Room Temperature) Soap

If you've got the basics of cold process soap making down, here's a neat variation for you to try. I had seen this process on an Australian soap maker named Nizzy's site a few years ago, but had never tried it. The process is unique in a couple of ways - instead of beating the melted oils and lye in a hot soap pot, you whip both the oils and soap in a bowl. And instead of working at about 100 degrees, you do everything at room temperature. The result is a very white, opaque, almost candy-like soap that gives lovely pastel colors - and yes, it floats! Be sure to check out Nizzy's site especially the Gallery of Whipped Soap Simply Amazing Stuff! My humble soaps are nothing in comparison to his!

But, you've got to start somewhere, so, for this project, you'll need a basic understanding of cold process soap making, and: A basic soap recipe adjusted as noted below:

*A large mixing bowl

*A mixer with at least beater attachments - a whisk attachment is even better. (Best of all is a big KitchenAid mixer!)

*Some rubber spatulas

*Fragrance and color, as desired

*A mold for the soap

Once you've got all that together, the first thing to do is tweak your recipe...

(1)Let's Make Soap Whipped (Room Temperature) Soap
(2) Create Your Recipe
(3)Whip/Cream the Solid Oils
(4)Add the Liquid Oils
(5) Add the Lye-Water
(6)Keep Whipping!
(7)Color and Mold
(8)Layering the Soap in the Mold
(9) Leave the Soap Mold to Set
(10) Unmold and Enjoy

For full presentation of pictures, click on this link http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/ss/whippedsoap.htm

Does cold process soapmakers have there own whipped soap recipes they would like to share? Please let me know I and I will post it.

Source: http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/ss/whippedsoap_8.htm

Getting Creative With Natural Soap

Natural Soap has become a popular and useful hobby for many home soap makers. In fact, some novice soap makers have taken to the art like a house on fire and are even looking to become commercially successful. Making natural soap is essentially about mixing lye and water in the correct proportions and adding the right amount of fat to it. The saponification process then takes over and makes a useable soap from unusable ingredients.

However, if you are planning to use your homemade soap as gifts for friends and family or make a business venture of it, then you will need to experiment a bit more. Adding essential oils, scents, colors, flowers and other beauty products is one way to make your homemade soap more appealing. Another way of course is to package it beautifully.

Here are some creative ideas to make your natural soap more appealing.

Colored soaps are a step up from the basic white or off white bars of old. However, if you want to keep your natural soap completely natural then avoid processed food coloring. Instead use colors made from natural products.

Turmeric is a disinfectant and adds a lovely yellow hue to your soap. Alfaalfa powder and chlorophyll impart a gorgeous green color to the soap. Ratanjot lends a pretty purple color and paprika works well for reds and oranges.

Adding an essential oil has the maximum effect on elevating your soap from just another homemade experiment to a coveted beauty product. Essential oils have recognized therapeutic properties and work wonders if used correctly. Since they are highly concentrated you should look at adding no more than a teaspoon to a 400g bar of soap. Rose and lavender are two of the most popular essential oils with soap makers. Avoid citrus oils since they can cause your soap to curdle.

You can add a natural loofah like oatmeal or almonds to your soap. The oatmeal and almonds help to scrub off dead skin leaving your skin smooth.

Adding dried flowers and petals can make your natural soap look extremely pretty. Add a few dried rose petals along with rose essential oil and you can get Cleopatra’s beauty care regime.

If you want to make a soap that moisturizes the skin try adding a carrier oil like jojoba, castor or avocado. Shea butter also works very well.

Once you’ve got your natural soap bars ready, use a paring knife and shave off one side of the bar. You’ll get a pretty wave design in no time at all!

If you plan to use them as gifts then invest in some soap molds. You can get soap molds in many shapes including hearts, roses, circles and many more.

You can even make paper wrapping for the soap bars and then customize the paper with the names of the recipients.

Homemade bars make lovely wedding favors. Customize the wrapping or the bar with the couple’s wedding details and give out as wedding favors.

So, natural soap can be made very exotic and appealing with a little effort on your part.

Source: http://www.making-homemade-soap.com/natural-soap.html

Mojito Soap Recipe (cold process)

When I took Lori Nova's Cold Process Soapmaking 201 (layering and Swirls) class in Januuary, I had picked her Mojito scented soap. Mojito had become a favorite scent of mine since I took her body butters class so that a likely choice for me. And I have been looking for a recipe that would be close to recreate it. So I found this recipe to pass along to anyone whose favorite drink is a Mojito.

Click here for the cold process soap recipe for Mojito soap: www.snowdriftfarm.com/form_mojito.html

Peppermint Patty Soap (Cold Process)

This is one of my favorite soaps, and a popular one. It looks like a brownie, and smells like a peppermint patty. I hope you enjoy it! You can also leave out the peppermint oil to make plain cocoa soap, or add Orange Essential Oil to make chocolate/orange, coconut fragrance for chocolate/coco soap.

Ingredients:

10 ounces Palm Oil
4 ounces Coconut Oil
2 ounces Olive Oil (Hold back one ounce olive oil to mix with the cocoa powder)
2 ounces lye
1 cup distilled water
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 ounce peppermint essential oil

Directions:

1. Pour lye into the water (never pour water into lye) - Set aside to cool
2. Melt oils together -set aside to cool
3. When oils are approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit and lye water is approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit, gently pour lye into oils (never pour oils into lye)
4. Mix until soap traces
5. Add cocoa mixture and essential oil
6. Pour into prepared molds and cover with plastic wrap
7. Allow to stand covered and out of drafts for 48 hours
8. Remove from molds and cut as desired9. Allow to age in open air for 2-3 weeks before using