Oatmeal and Shea Oil Soap
Oatmeal and Shea Oil Soap
Introduction
Indulge in the gentle exfoliation and nourishing benefits of our Oatmeal and Shea Oil Soap. This handcrafted soap is a perfect blend of natural ingredients that will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed.
Shea oil, known for its intensive moisture and healing properties, provides a rich and creamy lather. Oatmeal, a natural exfoliant, helps to gently remove dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion. The combination of these two ingredients creates a soap that is both gentle and effective, suitable for all skin types.
Crafting your own soap is a rewarding and satisfying DIY project that allows you to create personalized skincare products tailored to your needs. This recipe is easy to follow, making it accessible to beginners and experienced soap makers alike.
Shea Oil
- Rich in vitamins A, E, and essential fatty acids, providing deep moisturization and nourishment.
- Ideal for dry, sensitive, or aging skin; helps improve elasticity and smoothness while soothing inflammation.
Coconut Oil
- Contains fatty acids with deep moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
- Suitable for all skin types, particularly effective for dry or sensitive skin; can aid in conditions like eczema.
Olive Oil
- Offers antioxidants and vitamins A and E for nourishing and soothing the skin.
- Great for dry, sensitive, or aging skin; helps maintain skin's natural moisture barrier.
Rolled Oats
- Acts as a gentle exfoliant and soothes irritated or itchy skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Ideal for sensitive or dry skin; helps to calm and hydrate while providing a mild scrubbing action.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. shea oil
- 4 oz. coconut oil
- 4 oz. olive oil
- 2 oz. lye
- 5 oz. distilled water
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the lye solution: Combine lye and distilled water in a heat-resistant container. Stir until the lye is completely dissolved.
- Melt the oils: Melt the shea oil, coconut oil, and olive oil together in a double boiler.
- Combine: Carefully pour the lye solution into the melted oils and blend until the mixture reaches trace.
- Add oatmeal: Stir in the rolled oats until evenly distributed.
- Add essential oils: If desired, add your favorite essential oils to the mixture.
- Pour into molds: Pour the soap batter into your chosen molds.
- Cure: Allow the soap to cure for at least 4-6 weeks before use.
Lye-Water Calculation
Using the following values from a Lye Calculator:
- Shea Oil: 0.132 oz NaOH/oz of oil
- Coconut Oil: 0.183 oz NaOH/oz of oil
- Olive Oil: 0.135 oz NaOH/oz of oil
Step-by-Step Calculations:
- Shea Oil (8 oz): 8 oz × 0.132 = 1.056 oz NaOH
- Coconut Oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.183 = 0.732 oz NaOH
- Olive Oil (4 oz): 4 oz × 0.135 = 0.540 oz NaOH
- Total Lye Amount: 1.056 oz + 0.732 oz + 0.540 oz = 2.328 oz NaOH
Water Calculation:
- Assuming a water-to-lye ratio of 2:1 (a typical range for cold process soap): 2.328 oz NaOH × 2 = 4.656 oz water
Why Make This Soap:
Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion. The shea oil provides moisture and nourishment, making this soap perfect for sensitive skin.
This Recipe was originally published in 16 Shea Oil DIY Soap Recipes (e-recipe book)
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.