Coffee and Shea Butter Soap

December

2024

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.

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
1/4 cup instant coffee
1 tablespoon coffee 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.
Add the instant coffee and coffee essential oil to the mixture.
Continue stirring until the mixture reaches a trace.
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

This Recipe was originally published in DIY Shea Butter Soap Making Recipes

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.

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