Skin Care

Cold process soap making can become a bit of an obsession for some people. Since there are so many diverse ingredients that can be used the possibilities are endless. For hand made soap some will have a ‘base’ formula that they will then add different additives to for each batch. Others will just use a different recipe each time, there are so many to be found on the internet. Just remember, either way always run your recipe through a Lye Calculator before you start. I’ve listed some of the more common soap ingredients below, this is by no means a complete list, but definetly a good place to start.

BUTTERS
Cocoa Butter – One of the most stable fats known, it contains natural antioxidants and is known to heal and moisturize the skin.
Shea Butter – Rich in cinnamon acid, it protects the skin from UV rays. And is very moisturizing when used in soaps.

OILS
Avocado Oil – A moisturizing oil that is good for sensitive skin as it is said to heal skin conditions such as eczema and dry chapped skin. It is high in vitamins A, D & E.
Canola Oil – Gives a nice, low, creamy lather and is moisturizing.
Castor Oil – A thick, clear oil that helps increase the lather in soap. It acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin, and can soothe inflamed skin.

Coconut Oil – This super-cleansing oil gives a tremendous, bubbly lather to soap. It also makes for a very hard, white bar of soap.
Evening Primrose Oil – High in gamma-linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid), this oil can help the skin defend itself against infection and inflammation. It is said to help those with eczema and psoriasis.

Hemp Seed Oil – No, its not what your thinking. This oil comes from the seed of the cannabis plant and has a light nutty smell. It gives soap a light creamy lather.

Olive Oil – Has been used in soap making for centuries. Makes soaps very moisturizing and mild.
Palm Oil – Makes a hard bar with a rich creamy lather. Please note, due to the controversy surrounding this oil please make sure you obtain yours from an ethical source.

Palm Kernel Oil – Since it has many of the same qualities as Coconut oil, it is often used as a replacement for people who have coconut allergies.
Rice Bran Oil – It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential oils. It is believed to hinder UV rays absorption at the skin’s surface.
Sunflower Oil – Gives a nice, rich, creamy lather that’s very moisturizing.

Handmade cold process soaps are very moisturizing and great for every member of the family, even those with sensitive skin issues. Please take the proper procautions when handling sodium hydroxide (lye). No matter which ingredients you decide to use in your soap making remember that it is always fun to experiment and try new things, you may be surprised with the results.

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