Directions:
NOTE: This project and these instructions have been written for someone who has experience making soap and knows the potential dangers due to working with sodium hydroxide. It will not outline all safety methods of working with dangerous chemicals, it is simply a soap recipe for advanced soapmakers.- Pour 10 oz. of hot water over dried hibiscus to steep and make a tea. Put in fridge to cool. The tea will turn bright red but, unfortunately, turns brown/cream in soap.
- Prepare the lye solution by weighing 8.6 oz. hibiscus tea which has been strained and 4.3 oz. lye into separate containers. Pour the lye into the water, carefully mix in a well-ventilated area and set aside to cool while you prepare your oils.
- Melt the solid oils (coconut oil and shea butter) either by microwave or stovetop. Melt just until melted and no more.
- Add the liquid oils (rice bran oil and olive oil) to melted oils to bring the temperature down. Add the fragrance oil and ¼ teaspoon of Crimson Sparkle Mica to the oil mixture and stir.
- Once the lye has cooled down to 90° F, pour the lye solution into oils and blend until light trace.
- Weigh 12 oz. of soap mixture into a mixing container. Add 1 teaspoon Crimson Sparkle Mica and blend.
- Pour the darker soap back into the lighter base in four different spots to create an in-the-pot swirl. As you pour your soap into the mold, the colors will swirl together. Pour your soap into the mold.
- Allow your soap to harden overnight and unmold the next day. If the soap is too soft, allow soap to harden for 48 hours.
- Cut your soap into bars. Cure your soap for a minimum of 4 weeks.
To Use: Lather onto wet skin and rinse with warm water. Avoid contact with eyes.
Ingredient Label: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Shea Butter, Rice Bran Oil, Fragrance, Hibiscus Flower, Mica, Iron Oxides.