How Do I Make Simple DIY Shea Butter Soap

August

2024

How to Make Simple DIY Soap with Shea Butter

Making your own soap at home is not only economical but also a rewarding and fun activity. Shea butter, known for its moisturizing properties, is a brilliant base for a nourishing soap that will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated. This blog post will guide you through the process of making simple DIY soap with shea butter, complete with recipes that even beginners can follow. Let's explore the delightful world of homemade soap!

Making DIY soap from shea butter offers numerous benefits, both for your skin and your overall well-being. Shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins like A and E, which help nourish and moisturize the skin, making it especially beneficial for those with dry or sensitive skin.

By crafting your soap at home, you gain complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to avoid harmful chemicals and tailor the soap to your specific needs, such as adding essential oils for a personalized scent.

Furthermore, DIY soap making can be a sustainable practice, reducing the use of plastic packaging associated with commercially produced soaps. It also presents a creative outlet, allowing you to experiment with different shapes, scents, and additional ingredients like herbs or exfoliants, leading to beautiful, unique soap bars that make perfect personal gifts.

Embrace this rewarding hobby and experience the soothing, silky touch of shea butter-enhanced soap on your skin!

Why Shea Butter?

Moisturizing: Shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, making it an excellent moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin.
Anti-inflammatory: Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe and repair the skin.
Natural: Shea butter is a natural product derived from the nuts of the African shea tree.

Basic Tools You’ll Need

Double boiler or microwave: For melting ingredients.
Silicone molds: To shape the soap.
Mixing bowl and utensils: For mixing ingredients.
Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate measurement.
Thermometer: To monitor temperature.
Protective gear: Gloves and goggles for safety.

Basic Ingredients

Shea butter: 1 cup
Coconut oil: 1 cup
Olive oil: 1 cup
Lye: ⅔ cup (use with caution)
Distilled water: 2 cups
Essential oils (optional): Lavender or tea tree oil

Step-By-Step Recipe for Shea Butter Soap

1. Prepare Your Workstation

Ensure your working area is clean and dry. Put on your gloves and protective goggles.

2. Melt the Shea Butter and Oils

Using a double boiler, melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil together. Stir gently until the mixture is combined.

3. Mix the Lye and Water

In a well-ventilated area, carefully add the lye to the distilled water (never the other way around) and stir until it's fully dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool down.

4. Combine Oils and Lye Mixture

When both mixtures are at similar temperatures (around 95°F-105°F), slowly pour the lye mixture into the oils. Blend using a stick blender until "trace" is reached—this is when the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.

5. Add Essential Oils

At this point, you can stir in your desired essential oils. Lavender or tea tree oil are popular choices.

6. Pour into Molds

Carefully pour the soap batter into prepared molds, smoothing out the top.

7. Cure the Soap

Cover the molds with a cardboard box or towel and let them sit for 24 to 48 hours to harden. Once set, remove from molds and let the soap cure for about 4 to 6 weeks, turning occasionally.

Variations and Add-Ins

Exfoliating Soap: Add ground oats or coffee for natural exfoliation.
Herbal Soap: Add dried flowers, like chamomile or calendula, for extra nourishment.

Two Recipes - with Lye Calculations shown

Lavender Shea Butter Soap

Indulge in the soothing aroma and gentle cleansing properties of lavender with this DIY soap recipe. Combining the nourishing qualities of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Castor Oil, this recipe creates a luxurious bar perfect for sensitive skin.

Benefits of the Ingredients:

Shea Butter: Provides deep moisturization and helps soothe irritated skin.
Coconut Oil: Creates a rich, creamy lather and helps condition the skin.
Olive Oil: Offers gentle cleansing and helps maintain skin elasticity.
Castor Oil: Creates a hard bar with a bubbly lather.
Lavender Essential Oil: Promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and has antiseptic properties.

Ingredients:

1 pound shea butter
1 pound coconut oil
1/2 pound olive oil
1/2 pound castor oil
7 oz sodium hydroxide
14 oz distilled water
1 tablespoon lavender essential oil

Steps:

Combine the sodium hydroxide and water in a heat-resistant container. Stir until dissolved.
Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil together.
Slowly add the sodium hydroxide solution to the melted oils, stirring continuously.
Continue stirring until the mixture reaches a trace, which means it thickens and leaves a trail when you run your finger through it.
Add the lavender essential oil and stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into a soap mold and let it set for 24-48 hours.

Lye and Water Calculations

Using the following values from a Lye Calculator:

Shea butter: 0.128 oz NaOH/oz of oil

Coconut oil: 0.183 oz NaOH/oz of oil

Olive oil: 0.135 oz NaOH/oz of oil

Castor oil: 0.129 oz NaOH/oz of oil

Step-by-Step Calculations:

Shea butter (16 oz): 16 oz × 0.128 = 2.048 oz NaOH

Coconut oil (16 oz): 16 oz × 0.183 = 2.928 oz NaOH

Olive oil (8 oz): 8 oz × 0.135 = 1.08 oz NaOH

Castor oil (8 oz): 8 oz × 0.129 = 1.032 oz NaOH

Total Lye Amount: 2.048 oz + 2.928 oz + 1.08 oz + 1.032 oz = 7.088 oz NaOH

Water Calculation: Assuming a water-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 7.088 oz NaOH × 2 = 14.176 oz water

Coffee and Shea Butter Soap

Introduction

A DIY soap recipe combines coffee and shea butter for a unique, invigorating bar. Coffee grounds gently exfoliate, while shea butter provides deep moisturizing benefits, resulting in a soft, hydrated complexion.

Benefits of DIY Coffee and Shea Butter Soap:

Gentle Exfoliation: Coffee grounds help remove dead skin cells, promoting a smooth complexion.
Moisturizing: Shea butter deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin.
Improves Circulation: Caffeine in coffee can stimulate blood flow, enhancing skin's appearance.
Brightening Effect: Coffee helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Anti-inflammatory: Shea butter soothes irritated or inflamed skin.
Energizing Scent: The aroma of coffee provides a refreshing and invigorating experience.