Cedarwood and Kombo Butter Soap
Cedarwood and Kombo Butter Soap
Introduction:
This grounding and balancing soap features the woody aroma of cedarwood and the moisturizing benefits of kombo butter.
Kombo Butter:
- Rich in nutrients: Provides essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Moisturizing properties: Helps soothe dry, irritated skin.
- Anti-inflammatory: Can reduce inflammation and redness.
- Hardening properties: Increases the hardness and lather of the soap.
Coconut Oil:
- Cleansing properties: Effectively removes dirt and impurities.
- Antimicrobial properties: Helps fight bacteria and fungi.
- Foaming agent: Creates a rich, lathering foam.
- Hardening properties: Increases the hardness of the soap.
Olive Oil:
- Moisturizing properties: Hydrates and softens the skin.
- Antioxidant benefits: Protects the skin from environmental damage.
- Emollient properties: Helps soothe and calm irritated skin.
- Mild cleansing: Gentle on sensitive skin.
Cedarwood Essential Oil:
- Balancing properties: Helps balance the skin's natural oils.
- Soothing properties: Can help soothe irritated skin.
- Woody aroma: Provides a warm, woody fragrance.
Suitable Skin Types and Conditions:
- Dry skin: All four ingredients are excellent moisturizers, making them ideal for dry skin.
- Oily skin: Cedarwood essential oil can help balance oily skin.
- Mature skin: The antioxidants in kombo butter and olive oil, combined with the balancing properties of cedarwood, can help improve the appearance of aging skin.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. kombo butter
- 4 oz. coconut oil
- 4 oz. olive oil
- 3 oz. lye
- 5 oz. distilled water
- 1/4 cup cedarwood essential oil
- Cedarwood shavings (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the lye solution: Combine lye and distilled water in a heat-resistant container. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved.
- Melt the oils: Melt the kombo butter, coconut oil, and olive oil together in a double boiler.
- Combine: Carefully pour the lye solution into the melted oils and blend until the mixture reaches trace.
- Add cedarwood: Stir in the cedarwood essential oil and cedarwood shavings (if using).
- Pour into molds: Pour the soap batter into your chosen molds.
- Cure: Allow the soap to cure for at least 4-6 weeks before use.
Lye-Water Calculation
Using the following values from a Lye Calculator:
- Kombo butter: 0.137 oz NaOH/oz of oil
- Coconut oil: 0.183 oz NaOH/oz of oil
- Olive oil: 0.135 oz NaOH/oz of oil
Step-by-Step Calculations:
- Kombo butter (8 oz): 8 oz × 0.137 = 1.096 oz NaOH
- Coconut oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.183 = 0.732 oz NaOH
- Olive oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.135 = 0.810 oz NaOH
- Total Lye Amount: 1.096 oz + 0.732 oz + 0.810 oz = 2.638 oz NaOH
Water Calculation:
- Assuming a water-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 2.638 oz NaOH × 2 = 5.276 oz wate
Why Make This Soap: Cedarwood is known for its grounding and balancing properties, making this soap ideal for those seeking a sense of calm and serenity. The kombo butter provides moisture and nourishment, while the cedarwood scent creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Closing Paragraph:
Crafting your own kombo butter soap is a rewarding and satisfying DIY project. Not only will you be creating a luxurious product for your skin, but you'll also be supporting sustainable and ethical sourcing practices. Enjoy the process of experimenting with different ingredients and fragrances to create your own unique creations. The satisfaction of using a handcrafted soap made with your own hands is truly priceless.
Popular Soap Calculators:
- SoapCalc.net: A widely used online calculator with a user-friendly interface. SoapCalc: http://www.soapcalc.net/
- Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetics Guild (HSCG) Calculator https://www.soapguild.org/tools-and-resources/product-price-calculators/lye
- Lye Calculator: Another popular option with a simple design. https://www.lyecalc.com/
- Soap Recipe Calculator: Offers additional features like fragrance and color calculations. http://thesoapcalculator.com
There are also many YouTube Videos on how to calculate this.
Remember: Always handle lye with extreme caution. It is a strong chemical and can cause severe burns. Ensure you're following safety guidelines when working with it.
This Recipe was originally published in Kombo Butter Soap Making