Shea Butter and Vanilla Bean Soap
Shea Butter and Vanilla Bean Soap
Introduction:
DIY soap with Shea Butter and Vanilla Bean is a wonderful way to create a luxurious, skin-nourishing bar that smells as good as it feels. Shea Butter, known for its deep moisturizing qualities, pairs beautifully with the warm, sweet aroma of Vanilla Bean, making this soap both soothing and indulgent. This recipe is perfect for those looking to pamper their skin with natural ingredients while enjoying a comforting, rich scent. Whether you're an experienced soap maker or just starting, this recipe will bring a touch of warmth and softness to your skincare routine.
Benefits of DIY Shea Butter and Vanilla BeanSoap:
- Intense Hydration: Shea Butter deeply moisturizes the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and well-nourished.
- Warm, Comforting Scent: The natural aroma of Vanilla Bean provides a sweet, comforting fragrance that lingers on the skin.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Both Shea Butter and Vanilla Bean contain antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental stressors and promote a healthy glow.
- Gentle on Skin: This soap is gentle and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin, thanks to the nourishing properties of Shea Butter.
- Exfoliating Properties: Ground Vanilla Bean can add a gentle exfoliating effect, helping to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother skin.
- Natural Anti-Aging: The combination of Shea Butter's fatty acids and Vanilla Bean's antioxidants supports skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shea butter
- 2 oz sodium hydroxide
- 4 oz distilled water
- 1/4 cup vanilla bean extract
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 vanilla bean extract to the mixture and stir to combine.
- 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
Step-by-Step Calculations:
- Shea butter (16 oz): 16 oz × 0.128 = 2.048 oz NaOH
- Total Lye Amount: 2.048 oz NaOH
Water Calculation:
- Assuming a water-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 2.048 oz NaOH × 2 = 4.096 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.