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Simplified Coconut Milk Soap Recipe
Author: Wholesale Supplies Plus
Friday, September 13, 2024
Making your own coconut milk soap is a rewarding DIY project that results in a luxurious, moisturizing soap bar. This condensed guide will walk you through the essential steps to create a coconut milk soap bar using the cold-process method.
Steps to Make Coconut Milk Soap
Step 1: Prepare the Lye Solution- Safety First: Put on safety goggles and gloves.
- Mix Lye and Water: Measure 3.2 oz of sodium hydroxide (lye) and 3.59 oz of cold distilled water. In a well-ventilated area, slowly add the lye to the water (never the other way around), stirring continuously until fully dissolved. Let the solution cool to 80-90°F.
Step 2: Melt and Combine Oils- Melt Oils: Measure and melt 8 oz each of palm oil, coconut oil, and pure olive oil, along with 1 oz of castor oil. Combine all oils in a glass bowl.
- Check Temperatures: Ensure both the lye solution and the oils are within 10 degrees of each other, ideally around 90°F.
Step 3: Combine and Blend- Mix Lye and Oils: Slowly pour the lye solution into the melted oils, stirring with a stick blender. Tap the blender to release air bubbles before turning it on.
- Add Coconut Milk: Once a light trace is reached (a thin pudding-like consistency), slowly add 3.59 oz of semi-frozen coconut milk, blending thoroughly.
Step 4: Add Fragrance and Pour- Incorporate Fragrance: Stir in 1.5-2 oz of your chosen fragrance oil using a whisk.
- Pour into Mold: Pour the soap mixture into a lined soap mold, tamping it down to remove air bubbles. Optionally, create a decorative top.
Step 5: Cure and Cut- Let Set: Place the soap in a cool area (no insulation needed) for 24 hours. After unmolding, cut the soap into bars and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks before use.
Additional Tips and Information
- Superfatting for Moisture: Consider "superfatting" your soap by adding extra oil (like coconut or olive oil) beyond what the lye can saponify. This leaves some oils in the soap unreacted, making it more moisturizing.
- Using Natural Colorants: For a natural touch, try adding powdered herbs or clays as colorants. For example, spirulina can add a green hue, while turmeric can give your soap a warm yellow tone.
- Benefits of Coconut Milk: Coconut milk in soap adds a creamy lather and extra hydration. It's rich in fatty acids, which help to nourish and soothe the skin, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
Enhancing Your Coconut Milk Soap with Add-Ins
To elevate your DIY coconut milk soap, consider incorporating natural add-ins that enhance both the soap’s aesthetic and its skin benefits. Here are a few ideas: - Herbal Infusions: Infuse your olive oil with herbs like calendula, lavender, or chamomile before incorporating it into the soap. This not only adds a subtle fragrance but also infuses the soap with the skin-soothing properties of the herbs.
- Botanical Exfoliants: For a gentle exfoliation, add finely ground oatmeal, dried lavender buds, or poppy seeds to your soap mixture at trace. These natural exfoliants will help remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth and refreshed.
- Essential Oils: In addition to or instead of fragrance oils, consider using essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, or lavender for their therapeutic properties. Be sure to use skin-safe concentrations (typically 0.5-2% of the total soap weight).
- Clay Additives: Clays like kaolin, bentonite, or French green clay can be added to coconut milk soap for their detoxifying properties. Clays also help with oil absorption, making them ideal for soaps intended for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Swirling Techniques: To create visually stunning bars, use a swirling technique with multiple colors. Divide the soap batter, add different natural colorants, and then pour them into the mold using various swirling methods to create intricate patterns.
FAQs
How can I prevent my soap from overheating?- Avoid insulating the soap, especially when using milk. Instead, place it in a cool area or a refrigerator to control the temperature and prevent cracking.
Can I add exfoliants to this coconut milk soap recipe?- Yes, gentle exfoliants like oatmeal, ground coffee, or poppy seeds can be added after achieving trace for added texture and skin benefits.
Can I substitute other oils for the ones listed in the coconut milk soap recipe?- Yes, you can substitute oils, but keep in mind that each oil has different properties and saponification values. For example, substituting olive oil with sweet almond oil will make the soap more conditioning but less hard. Be sure to run the new recipe through a lye calculator to adjust the lye amount accordingly.
What can I do if my coconut milk soap seizes or hardens too quickly?- Soap can seize if the oils and lye are too hot or if certain fragrance oils cause rapid thickening. To remedy this, try working at lower temperatures and avoiding fragrance oils known for accelerating trace. If your soap seizes, try to stir it as much as possible to avoid air pockets, and quickly pour it into the mold.
Can I make coconut milk soap without lye?- All true soap requires lye (sodium hydroxide) to saponify oils and turn them into soap. However, if you want to avoid handling lye, you can use a pre-made soap base (melt and pour) and simply add coconut milk, fragrances, and colorants. Keep in mind that this won’t be a true cold-process soap, but could be a safer alternative for beginners.
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