Palm Free Cold Process Soap - Juicy Watermelon - With Recipe

 

In this blog post, we'll delve into the basics of cold-process soap making and provide you with a delightful recipe to get started.

Soap has been around for thousands of years, and early forms of soap were made from a mixture of animal fats and wood ash and were primarily used for cleaning wool and textiles. Over time, soap became more widely used for personal hygiene and medicinal purposes. 

Some soaps contain natural ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, or shea butter, which can help moisturize and nourish the skin. Other soaps may be formulated with exfoliating ingredients like oatmeal or sea salt, which can help remove dead skin cells and promote a smoother, brighter complexion.

Soap can also have antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce the risk of infection and illness. This is particularly important for hand washing, which is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and diseases.

What is Cold Process Soap?

Cold process soap making involves the saponification process, where oils and lye combine to create soap through a natural chemical reaction. Soap molecules have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail, which allows them to surround and lift away dirt and oil from the skin.

Safety First

It's important to note that making soap involves working with lye, sodium hydroxide for cold process (hard) soap, or potassium hydroxide liquid soap. Lye is a caustic substance that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Before diving into the recipe, it's essential to prioritize safety. Always wear protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and long sleeves. Work in a well-ventilated area, and be cautious when handling lye, as it is caustic. Remember to keep children and pets away from your workspace.

The ingredients I chose and why

Olive Oil - results in a gentle, moisturizing, and long-lasting bar that is suitable for a wide range of skin types. Its natural properties make it an excellent base oil for soap formulations, and it can be combined with other oils and ingredients to create unique and beneficial soap recipes.

Coconut Oil - a valued for its cleansing power, lathering ability, hardness, and scent retention. When used in moderation and combination with other oils, it can contribute to a well-rounded soap that cleanses, moisturizes, and leaves the skin feeling refreshed.

Kokum Butter - is derived from the seeds of the Garcinia indica tree. It makes a moisturizing, nourishing, and luxurious bar that offers excellent skin benefits. Its firmness, absorption, and emollient properties make it a desirable ingredient for soap makers aiming to create high-quality soaps with added skin-loving properties.

Castor Oil - creates a rich creamy lather and is moisturizing and hydrating, soothing and calming as well as a gentle cleanser for all skin types. It is a valuable ingredient for soap makers aiming to enhance the quality and performance of their soap recipes.

Recipe:

Juicy Watermelon - Palm Free

 

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This is an intermediate design.

To make it easier, you can omit the 'Green Layer' (French Green Clay & green mica/oxide; steps 11-13)

Ingredients:

Yield: 12.5oz

*you made need to increase or decrease this recipe based on the mold you are using. Make sure you use a lye calculator if you do modify this recipe*

• 164g Olive Oil

• 60g Coconut Oil

• 12g Kokum Butter

• 5g Castor Oil

• 33g sodium hydroxide (lye)

• 67g distilled water

• 15g Kiwi Watermelon Fragrance Oil

• 1 teaspoon French Green Clay - dispersed in some olive oil (5g)

• 1 Tablespoons White Kaolin Clay - dispersed in some olive oil (5-10g)

• 1/4 teaspoon green mica/oxide - dispersed in some olive oil (5g)

• 1 teaspoon red mica/oxide - dispersed in some olive oil (5g)

• black sugar pearls (sprinkles)

• Heat-resistant containers - like Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups

• Silicone Oval Mold or Soap Loaf Mold with Cutter

• Thermometer

• Accurate Scale

• Whisk or Immersion Blender

This recipe has a 5% super fat and a 33.33% Lye Concentration



Instructions:

1. Prepare your workspace by laying down newspaper or parchment paper to protect surfaces. 

2. Put on your protective gear: gloves, goggles, and long sleeves. Pants and closed toes shoes are also recommended.

3. In a well-ventilated area, carefully measure the distilled water into a heat-resistant container and the lye into a separate container.

4. Slowly add the sodium hydroxide (lye) to the water while stirring with a non-reactive spoon or spatula. Avoid inhaling the fumes. The mixture will become hot and release fumes.
*Wearing a respirator or an exhaust fan is highly recommended.

5. Set the lye mixture aside to cool to around 100°F (38°C).

6. In a separate heat-resistant container, melt the coconut oil ad kokum butter together. This can be done in the microwave in 30-second bursts or on the stovetop in a 'double boiler' method.

7. Add in the olive oil and castor oil.

8. Allow the oil mixture to cool to around 90°F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature

9. Once both the lye mixture and oil mixture have reached the desired temperature, slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils, stirring gently but thoroughly.

10. Either use an immersion blender or continue stirring until the mixture reaches a light trace. Only 8-15 seconds are needed with the immersion blender.

*Light trace: At this stage, the soap batter is just starting to thicken. It's still pourable, but it will leave a faint mark on the surface when drizzled.*

11. Pour off 120g of the soap batter into a heat-resistant container. *you can use the one in which you had the lye water solution.

12. Add 5g of fragrance, French Green Clay, and the green mica/oxide to the small (120g) soap batter.

13. Pour the soap mixture into your soap mold. Tap the mold gently on a flat surface to eliminate any air bubbles.

14. Add 10g of fragrance, White Kaolin Clay & red mica/oxide to the large (240g) soap batter.

15. Gently pour the soap mixture into your soap mold. *Use a spatula to help break the fall and get a distinct layer. Tap the mold gently on a flat surface to eliminate any air bubbles.

16. Add the sugar pearls/sprinkles to the top of the soap. You can gently press them into the soap to ensure better adhesion.

17. Cover the mold with a piece of cardboard or plastic wrap to insulate it. *This will help it go through 'gel phase' which will help make your colors pop

18. Allow the soap to cure in the mold for 24-48 hours.

*You can add Sodium Lactate or salt to the lye water solution to help your soap firm up and unmold in 18-24hrs, but make sure you wear gloves when handling soap before 24hrs, as the lye may still be active*

19. After the initial curing period, remove the soap from the mold carefully. *if you used a load mold, you need to cut in now.

20. Place the soap bars on a drying rack or tray and let them cure for 4 weeks in a cool, dry area. This evaporates excess water, resulting in a harder, longer-lasting soap.

21. Now you can wrap and label your soap for gifting or future use.

The cold process soap-making method allows for creative freedom in selecting oils, colors, fragrances, and additives to customize your soap. With practice and attention to detail, you can create beautifully crafted bars of soap that are gentle, moisturizing, and effective for personal use or as thoughtful handmade gifts.

*Always use a lye calculator to check recipes, especially when modifying, to make sure they are safe. SoapCalc is a great resource (soapcalc.net)

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