Oatmeal and Shea Butter Soap

Introduction

Create a DIY soap using oatmeal and shea butter for a luxurious, all-natural treat. Oatmeal's gentle exfoliation and shea butter's rich moisturizing properties make it ideal for sensitive or dry skin, leaving it smooth and rejuvenated.

Benefits of DIY Oatmeal and Shea Butter Soap:

• Gentle Exfoliation: Oatmeal helps remove dead skin cells, revealing softer skin.
• Soothing: Oatmeal calms irritation and is ideal for sensitive skin.
• Deep Moisturization: Shea butter hydrates and nourishes dry skin.
• Anti-inflammatory: Both oatmeal and shea butter reduce redness and inflammation.
• Natural Cleansing: Oatmeal provides a mild, natural way to cleanse the skin.
• Improves Skin Texture: Regular use can enhance skin smoothness and softness.

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 ground oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon oatmeal essential oil

Steps:

1. Combine the sodium hydroxide and water in a heat-resistant container. Stir until dissolved.
2. Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil together.
3. Slowly add the sodium hydroxide solution to the melted oils, stirring continuously.
4. Add the ground oatmeal and oatmeal essential oil to the mixture.
5. Continue stirring until the mixture reaches a trace.
6. 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.