1. Classic Red Palm Oil Soap

Introduction: This simple recipe is a great starting point for beginners looking to incorporate red palm oil into their soap making. The rich, vibrant color and natural moisturizing properties of red palm oil make this soap a luxurious and nourishing addition to your skincare routine.

Ingredients:

• Red Palm Oil: 225g (8 oz)

• Coconut Oil: 115g (4 oz)

• Olive Oil: 115g (4 oz)

• Lye: 57g (2 oz)

• Distilled Water: 140g (5 oz)

• Essential Oils: (Optional - amount varies by preference)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the lye solution: Combine lye and distilled water in a heat-resistant container. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved.

2. Melt the oils: Melt the red palm oil, coconut oil, and olive oil together in a double boiler.

3. Combine: Carefully pour the lye solution into the melted oils and blend until the mixture reaches trace.

4. Add essential oils: If desired, add your favorite essential oils to the mixture.

5. Pour into molds: Pour the soap batter into your chosen molds.

6. 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:

• Red Palm Oil: 0.142 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:

• Red Palm Oil (8 oz): 8 oz × 0.142 = 1.136 oz NaOH
• Coconut Oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.183 = 0.732 oz NaOH
• Olive Oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.135 = 0.540 oz NaOH

Total Lye Amount: 1.136 oz + 0.732 oz + 0.540 oz = 2.408 oz NaOH

Water Calculation: Assuming a water-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 2.408 oz NaOH × 2 = 4.816 oz water

Why Make This Soap: This classic recipe is a great way to introduce yourself to red palm oil soap making. It's simple to follow and produces a gentle, nourishing bar that's perfect for everyday use. The vibrant red color and natural moisturizing properties of red palm oil make this soap a luxurious and visually appealing addition to your skincare routine.

This Recipe was originally published in "Baobab Oil Beauty: 30 DIY Recipes for a Natural Glow"