Honey and Shea Butter Soap

Introduction:

Honey, a natural humectant, attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and supple. It is rich in antioxidants, fighting free radicals for youthful skin. Combined with shea butter, it creates a cleansing and nourishing soap with health and beauty benefits.

Instructions:

• In a heat-resistant container, combine the shea butter and goat milk. Heat gently until the shea butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
• In a separate container, carefully add the sodium hydroxide to the water. Stir gently until the lye is completely dissolved.
• Allow both mixtures to cool to room temperature.
• Add 2 tablespoons of honey to the shea butter and milk mixture before adding the lye solution.
• Slowly pour the lye solution into the shea butter and goat milk mixture, stirring constantly.
• Continue stirring until the mixture reaches a trace, which is when it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
• Add the vitamin E oil, and stir to combine.
• Pour the mixture into a soap mold and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks before using.

Lye and Cow’s Milk Calculations

-Using the following values from a Lye Calculator:

• Shea butter: 0.128 oz NaOH/oz of oil

Step-by-Step Calculations:

• Shea butter (10 oz): 10 oz × 0.128 = 1.28 oz NaOH
• Total Lye Amount: 1.28 oz NaOH

Cow’s Milk Calculation:

• Assuming a cow’s milk-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 1.28 oz NaOH × 2 = 2.56 oz cow’s milk

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.