What Is Soap?

Soap is the oldest cleanser around.  It is created by a chemical reaction between oils, water and lye. Although lye is used to make soap there is no lye left after saponification (the chemical reaction that makes soap) is complete. There is no such thing as a bar of soap that was made without the use of lye. Different kinds of soap are made using a variety of different oils. Both animal and plant oils can be used in the soap making process, each adding different qualities to the soap.

Conventional Bar Soaps

Much of the soap available in the store today is not really soap at all, but a detergent.  Detergents are a petroleum based product, like gasoline and kerosene.  Have you ever noticed how regular soap leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy and tight?  Alkali, the most common irritant in soap is often the culprit.  Others ingredients in mass-marketed soap have been proven harmful to human health and can cause severe skin irritations in some people.  These include ingredients such as DEA, Isopropyl Alcohol, BHT and Triclosan (commonly found in anti-bacterial soap).  The most common ingredient in conventional bar soaps is sodium tallowate.  It is the natural product of combining tallow, or beef fat, with lye.  The attractiveness for tallow for mass producing soap is that it processes quickly, produces a hard bar of soap and is cheap and plentiful.   The New Bar On The Block   While there is nothing new about handmade soap, its popularity is growing rapidly.  The sales of handmade soap continue to grow as part of society’s movement toward buying products that are healthy and good for the environment.  With the ever increasing use of synthetic chemicals and studies about their dangerous effects, consumers are on the lookout for more “green” alternatives. Benefits Of Handmade Soap

Evidence abounds of the healing properties of a handmade bar of soap.  Those who suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as people that have sensitive skin or are hypoallergenic often find immediate relief by switching to handmade soap.  Compared to store bought soap, handmade soap is very mild. They are often made from vegetable-based oils, such as olive, coconut, and palm and do not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in conventional bar soap. One of the biggest differences between commercial soap and handmade soap is glycerine. Glycerine is a clear liquid that absorbs water from the air and is a key factor in keeping skin soft and healthy. Glycerin soap is especially good for sensitive and delicate skin, and for children. Because it is a high quality by-product in the soap making process,  many mass commercial soap manufacturers often extract the glycerine and sell it as a by-product to be used in higher priced products like lotions and skin creams.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Body

For adults, the skin covers approximately 20 square feet of the human body.  It is the largest human organ and is the bodies first line of defense against dehydration, temperature, infection and harmful substances.  Handmade soaps give your skin the care it deserves and make bathing a gentle, soothing experience.

Handmade Soap Is Good For Your Mind

For many of us today, life seems to move at an often hectic pace. While the stress of everyday life increases, personal time is at minimum.  A fragrant, handmade bar of soap is a simple indulgence that fosters a feeling of relaxation and being pampered.  Treat yourself or someone you love to the benefits of handmade soap!

Chere Deshayes is the owner of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in handcrafted bath and body products.  Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.

• 3oz Soy Wax
• 1oz Sweet Almond or Jojoba Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E (or 2 capsules)
• 30 drops Essential Oil (see below for blends)
• 4oz candle tin or jar
• Pre-tabbed Candle Wick

Directions

1. Prepare your candle tin or jar by fixing the candle wick to the bottom of the tin. (You can use glue tabs or a bit of hot wax to hold it in place. I generally just press it down really hard.)
2. Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
3. Place the soy wax in a large heat-proof glass measuring cup (such as Pyrex.) Place the measuring cup in the water and warm slowly over a low heat until the wax is melted.
4. Pour in the oil, stirring slowly to mix. Don’t stir too quickly or you’ll end up with air bubbles in your massage oil candles.
5. Remove from the heat and gently stir in the Vitamin E. Drop in the essential oils and stir some more.
6. Slowly pour the hot candle massage oil into the tin, making sure the wick stays centered.

Let cool and harden for several hours, then trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (1/2cm). That’s it, you’re ready to go!

Scenting Your Massage Oil Candles

Here’s some fun, soothing, delicious essential oil blends for your massage oil candles. Pick your favorite or try one of each!

• Citrus Rush. 7 drops each bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and orange, 2 drops jasmine, rose geranium OR ylang ylang
• Fire & Ice. 20 drops Peppermint, 5 drops bergamot, 3 drops eucalyptus, 1 drop ylang ylang
• Lavender Spice. 25 drops lavender, 2 drops clove, 1 drop vetiver, ginger OR cinnamon
• Rose Dream. 12 drops rose absolute, 2 drops rose geranium, 2 drops palmarosa OR sandalwood
• Silk Road. 20 drops sandalwood, 4 drops orange, 3 drops patchouli, 1 drop each black pepper, vetiver and ylang ylang
• Sweet Sensuality. 3 drops jasmine, 2 drops black pepper, 1 drop ylang ylang (these essential oils are VERY strongly scented, so you need fewer drops than other blends)

Customizing Your Massage Candle Recipe

Scent isn’t the only thing you get to play with when you’re making massage oil candles.

• You can vary the carrier oils to make the hot oil massage blend absorb faster (or slower) into your skin or even to support your skin type.
• You can substitute one ounce of the soy wax with one ounce of shea or cocoa butter to make a softer massage oil candle.
• To make a harder massage oil candle with a slight honey scent, replace up to an ounce of the soy wax with beeswax.
• Don’t add dye to the recipe – you don’t want to end up with blue (or any other color) skin the next day. Candle dyes STAIN!
• I like square candle tins for my massage candle recipes because I find it’s a bit less messy to pour from the corner of the tin than from the wider lip of a round tin.

To Use Your Massage Oil Candle

To use your massage candle, light the candle and wait for the wax to pool. Then either pour the melted wax into your hand or straight onto the skin.

If that’s too hot for you (or your partner) blow out the candle and let it sit for a minute or two, then pour or scoop the warm wax into your hand and use from there.

You can use as much or as little of the candle as you want. Any pooled wax you don’t use will re-harden so you can melt it again next time. Yay!

• 3/4 cup (4.5oz) Cocoa butter
• 3/4 cup (4.5oz) Shea Butter
• 3/4 cup (4.5oz) unrefined Coconut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E (or 1 capsule)
• 5 drops Grapefruit Seed extract
• 30 drops essential oil – see below for blends

Directions

1. Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
2. Place the Cocoa butter, Shea butter and Coconut oil in a large heat-proof glass measuring cup (such as Pyrex.) Place the measuring cup in the water and warm slowly over a low heat until the wax, butter and oil are melted.
3. Cook at a low heat for about 5 minutes. Do not allow to boil (or even simmer!)
4. Remove from the heat and add the Vitamin E, grapefruit seed extract and essential oils. Using a metal spoon, stir to combine. (A wooden spoon absorbs the scent of essential oils.)
5. Pour the liquid mixture into soap molds and let cool. (I personally use silicone muffin cups. You could even use the bottoms of individual sized yogurt cups or pretty much anything that’s the size you want your finished lotion bar to be.) It will harden as it cools.
6. Remove from the molds. If the lotion bar sticks in the mold, set the mold into some warm water to melt the edges a bit, then tip the bar out of the mold.
   Update: On the subject of molds, I find the rigid plastic molds unbelievably frustrating to get anything out of. I’ve given up on them completely now and am using only silicone. Grrr!
7. Store each lotion bar individually in parchment paper, plastic wrap or ziplock bags to prevent them from getting dusty and losing their scent over time.
8. To use, simply rub the aromatherapy body butter bar into your skin – it melts as it warms up to skin temperature! Great for hands, feet, elbows and even lips!

Customizing Your Shea Butter Lotion Recipe

Here’s some suggestions for scenting your shea butter lotion recipe:

• 2/3 cup (4oz) Shea Butter
• 1/3 cup (2oz) Mango Butter
• 1 teaspoon Jojoba oil
• 3 teaspoons Grapeseed oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E (or 1 capsule)
• 10 drops Bergamot essential oil
• 8 drops Lemongrass essential oil
• 8 drops Palmarosa essential oil
• 2 drops Cypress essential oil
• 1 drop Rose Geranium OR Ylang Ylang essential oil
• 1 teaspoon Corn Starch (reduces “greasy” feeling)
• cosmetic Mica (optional – makes it glittery)

Directions

1. Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
2. Place the Mango and Shea butter in a large heat-proof glass measuring cup (such as Pyrex.) Place the measuring cup in the water and warm slowly over a low heat until the butters are melted.
3. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Using a metal spoon, stir to combine. (A wooden spoon absorbs the scent of essential oils.)
4. Using an electric hand mixer, whip the butter continually for several minutes (just like you would frosting.) As you keep mixing, it will start to look like whipped cream. The more you whip it, the lighter it will become (surprise!)
• Option 1: Cold Water Bath. Set the measuring cup into a large bowl filled with ice water to help cool the butter faster. Whip the butter continually until peaks form on top.
• Option 2: All Day Method. Let the mixture sit for several hours to cool and set. As it’s setting, whip every couple of hours during the course of the day until the mixture has set to the correct texture.
5. Spoon into dark glass or PET plastic jars. To reduce air bubbles, tap the jar sharply on the counter occasionally as you’re filling it. Makes about 8 ounces (250ml) of citrus mango body butter.

• 1/4 cup (1.5oz) Cocoa Butter
• 1 cup (6oz) Shea Butter
• 2 tablespoons Kukui or Sweet Almond oil
• 1 tablespoon Jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon Rosehip or Sea Buckthorn oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E (or 1 capsule)
• 1 teaspoon Corn Starch (reduces the “greasy” feeling)

Directions

1. Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
2. Place the Cocoa and Shea butter in a large heat-proof glass measuring cup (such as Pyrex.) Place the measuring cup in the water and warm slowly over a low heat until the butters are melted.
3. Cook at a low heat for about 20 minutes (helps reduce the “grainy” feeling of the cocoa butter.) Do not allow to boil (or even simmer!)
4. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Using a metal spoon, stir to combine. (A wooden spoon absorbs the scent of essential oils.)
5. Using an electric hand mixer, whip the butter continually for several minutes (just like you would frosting.) As you keep mixing, it will start to look like whipped cream. The more you whip it, the lighter it will become (surprise!)

Option 1: Cold Water Bath. Set the measuring cup into a large bowl filled with ice water to help cool the butter faster. Whip the butter continually until peaks form on top.

Option 2: All Day Method. Let the mixture sit for several hours to cool and set. As it’s setting, whip every couple of hours during the course of the day until the mixture has set to the correct texture.

1. Spoon into dark glass or PET plastic jars. To reduce air bubbles, tap the jar sharply on the counter occasionally as you’re filling it. Makes about 8 ounces (250ml) of lavender body butter.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (180g) Cornmeal
• 1/4 cup (55g) Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
• 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil
• 2 to 4 tablespoons Sweet Almond oil (per use)

Directions

1. Measure the cornmeal and salt into a dark glass or PET plastic jar. Cap the jar and shake vigorously to combine.
2. Open the jar and drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own spot on top of the corn/salt mixture.
3. Re-cap the jar and shake again to incorporate the essential oils into the dry ingredients.
4. Let sit 24 hours to ‘cure’. Store in a cool, dark place.
5. To use: Mix 1/4 cup of the homemade foot scrub with enough sweet almond oil or water (2 to 4 tablespoons) to make a thick paste.
6. Massage the foot scrub paste into your feet, paying extra attention to any rough, callused areas. Rinse, pat dry and moisturize. (Try this peppermint lotion - yummy!)

Simple Salt Foot Scrub Recipe

This homemade foot scrub recipe uses salt and vinegar to deodorize feet and balance pH. Its combination of peppermint, lavender and black pepper essential oils relieves pain, improves circulation and relaxes your body while boosting healthy energy. Awesome!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
• 4 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops Lavender essential oil
• 2 drops Black Pepper essential oil
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Cider Vinegar (per use)
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup Olive oil or Shea Butter (per use)

Directions

1. Measure the salt into a dark glass or PET plastic jar. Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own spot on top of the salt.
2. Cap the jar and shake vigorously to mix the essential oils into the salt.
3. Let sit 24 hours to ‘cure’. Store in a cool, dark place.
4. To use: Mix 2 tablespoons of the salt with 2 tablespoons Cider Vinegar or water to make a paste.
5. Massage the homemade foot scrub into your feet until your skin feels tingly.
6. Rinse away the salt scrub, then massage Olive Oil or Shea Butter into your feet. Slip into a pair of comfy cotton socks and relaaaax!

Pain Relieving Foot Soak

Ingredients

• 1 cup (125g) Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup (30g) Borax
• 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops Eucalyptus OR Lavender essential oil
• 1 drop Rose Geranium essential oil
• 1 teaspoon Carrier Oil of your choice (see the “quick Links” box to the right for some suggestions)

Directions

1. Fill a large plastic tub (big enough for both your feet) with hot water.
2. Add the baking soda and borax, stirring to dissolve.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable level. (Optional: add a bunch of marbles to roll your feet around on for a built-in foot massage.)
4. In a small jar or bowl, mix together the carrier oil and essential oils, then pour the mixture into the footbath.
5. Soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes.
6. Follow with one of the above homemade foot scrub recipes and/or moisturizer.

• 1/4 cup (30g) Rolled Oats, ground fine
• 1/4 cup (15g) Wheat Bran
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) Sweet Almond oil
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) Honey
• 1/2 cup (125ml) full fat Yogurt
• 8 drops Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops Palmarosa essential oil
• 2 drops Rose essential oil
• 2 drops Chamomile essential oil

Directions

• Grind the oats to a fine texture using a coffee grinder. (Make sure it’s well cleaned first so your homemade body scrub doesn’t end up smelling like coffee.)
•  Using a metal spoon, stir the oats and wheat bran together in a glass or ceramic bowl (or even the jar you intend to keep it in – remember to use dark glass or PET plastic.)
•  Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the oatmeal body scrub mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Store in a cool, dark location until you’re ready to give yourself a body scrub treatment.
•  When you’re ready to use your home made body scrub, stir together the yogurt, honey and sweet almond oil in a medium-sized bowl. Add all of the oatmeal mixture and stir well to combine.
•  To use, take a quick, warm shower to wet your skin. Standing in the bathtub, massage the homemade body scrub into your skin using gentle circular motions until your skin is rosy from the increased circulation.

1. Rinse off under the shower, towel dry and moisturize.

1/4 cup (45g) Cornmeal

1/4 cup (30g) Rolled Oats, ground fine

1/4 cup (30g) Almonds, ground fine

1 tablespoon (15ml)Sweet Almond oil

9 drops Palmarosa essential oil

4 drops Rosewood essential oil

2 drops Chamomile essential oil

Directions

• In separate batches, grind the oats and almonds to a fine texture using a coffee grinder. (Make sure it’s well cleaned first so your oatmeal body scrub doesn’t end up smelling like coffee.)
•  Using a metal spoon, stir them all together in a glass or ceramic bowl (or even the jar you intend to keep it in – remember to use dark glass or PET plastic.)
•  Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the oatmeal body scrub mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
•  When you’re ready to use your home made body scrub, stir in the Sweet Almond oil.
•  To use, take a quick, warm shower to wet your skin. Standing in the bathtub, massage the oatmeal body scrub into your skin using gentle circular motions until your skin is rosy from the increased circulation.

1. Rinse off under the shower, towel dry and moisturize.

• 1/2 cup (110g) Sea Salt
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Grapeseed or other carrier oil of your choice
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Aloe Vera gel, depending on how moist you like your scrub
• 8 drops Orange essential oil
• 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops Rosemary essential oil

Directions

• Using a metal spoon, stir together salt and oil in a glass or ceramic bowl (or even the jar you intend to keep it in – remember to use dark glass or PET plastic.)
•  Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the body salt scrub mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
•  To use, take a quick, warm shower to wet your skin. Standing in the bathtub, massage the body salt scrub into your skin using gentle circular motions until your skin is rosy from the increased circulation.
•  Rinse off under the shower, towel dry and moisturize.

Cautions for using your body salt scrub: Sweet Orange essential oil can cause photo-sensitivity and sunburn. Do not use before sun exposure.

Do not use body scrub salt recipes on broken or irritated skin, and avoid your face and genitals.

• 1/2 cup (110g) Brown Sugar or Turbinado Sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Sweet Almond or other carrier oilof your choice
• Optional: 1 tablespoon (15ml) Vegetable Glycerin
• 10 drops Vanilla Absolute essential oil
• 4 drops Sandalwood essential oil
• 1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil

Directions

1. Using a metal spoon, stir together sugar, oil and glycerin (if using) in a glass or ceramic bowl (or even the jar you intend to keep it in – remember to use dark glass or PET plastic.)
2. Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the sugar body scrub mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
3. To use, take a quick, warm shower to wet your skin. Standing in the bathtub, massage the sugar body scrub into your skin using gentle circular motions until your skin is rosy and tingling from the increased circulation.
4. If you want to amplify the wrinkle-reducing effects, let it dry and tighten on your skin for a few minutes. (Make sure the bathroom is really warm so you don’t freeze while you’re waiting!)
5. Rinse off under the shower, towel dry and moisturize.

Cautions for using homemade body scrub recipes: Do not use on broken or irritated skin, and avoid your face and genitals.

Customizing Your Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe

Here’s where it gets really fun!

• Add more or less oil to the sugar body scrub recipe depending on how liquid-y you want the scrub to be. There is no wrong answer here.
• Add a teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel to heal problem skin such as eczema or psoriasis, or just to support normal skin.
• Add 1 teaspoon honey to extra-moisturize dry skin.
• Use cane sugar instead of brown sugar. Cane sugar contains enzymes rich in alpha hydroxy acids, which help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Don’t use sugar cane if you have acne.
• Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (yes, the stuff you use in cakes) if you don’t have Vanilla essential oil – MUCH cheaper!