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Vanilla and Shea Butter Soap

December 31, 2024

Wayne Dunn

Vanilla and Shea Butter Soap

Introduction

Indulge in a DIY Vanilla and Shea Butter Soap recipe that nourishes and softens skin with natural ingredients. Infused with vanilla's comforting aroma and shea butter's creamy goodness, this homemade soap provides a soothing sensory experience. Say goodbye to harsh commercial soaps and hello to gentle, moisturizing luxury.

Benefits of DIY Vanilla and Shea Butter Soap:

Intense Hydration: Shea butter is renowned for its deeply moisturizing properties, providing long-lasting hydration to even the driest of skin types.
Anti-Aging Protection: Vanilla extract is rich in antioxidants that help combat the visible signs of aging, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Soothing Inflammation: Both vanilla and shea butter possess natural anti-inflammatory compounds that can calm redness, irritation, and other skin disturbances.
Improved Skin Elasticity: The fatty acids in shea butter work to improve skin's elasticity, helping to maintain a youthful, supple complexion.
Nourishing Fatty Acids: Shea butter is packed with essential fatty acids that deeply nourish and replenish the skin's protective barrier.
Radiant Glow: Vanilla's natural brightening properties can help to even out skin tone and impart a healthy, luminous glow.

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 vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vanilla essential oil

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 extract and vanilla essential oil to the mixture.
Continue stirring until the mixture reaches a trace.
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.

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