Handmade Hydration: Quick and Easy Aloe Vera Soap

Winters are everyone’s favorite season—until the struggle with dry, flaky skin begins. With constant handwashing to keep up with hygiene, it’s hard to keep your skin from feeling rough and dehydrated. This carefully crafted aloe vera soap recipe, infused with the goodness of jojoba and almond oil is guaranteed to keep your skin feeling fresh and nourished.  

Requirements:

• 500 g melt-and-pour soap base (shea butter or glycerin works great for hydration)

• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil

• 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil

• 10-15 drops essential oil (lavender, rose, or sandalwood for soothing scents)

• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (better to use organic)

• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)

• Soap molds

Directions:

1. Clean and dry your soap molds. Lightly grease them with a bit of almond oil to make unmolding easier.

2. Cut the melt-and-pour soap base into small chunks and place them in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Heat gently until fully melted, stirring occasionally.

3. Once the soap base is melted, remove it from heat. Mix in the jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E oil (if using).

4. Mix in the aloe vera gel and your chosen essential oils. Stir well to combine.

5. Quickly but carefully pour the mixture into the prepared soap molds before it starts to solidify. Tap the molds gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.

6. Allow the soap to cool and harden completely, which usually takes about 2-4 hours at room temperature. You can place the molds in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

7. Gently pop the soap bars out of the molds. They’re ready to use right away or can be wrapped as gifts!

Customization:

You can add organic soap safe colorants like turmeric or spirulina powder. If you prefer texture in your soap you can also customize it to your liking with dried flower petals or ground oats and coffee for exfoliation. Adjust to your liking!

Enjoy your homemade Aloe Vera soap, with the goodness of jojoba, almond and vitamin E oils, perfect for dry skin. Top it off with your favorite moisturizer to have a long lasting, nourishing effect on your skin. 

Let us know how this recipe turns out for you!

Winter Bliss: Homemade Cocoa Butter Lavender Soap

As winter takes hold, dry skin becomes an inevitable challenge—but don’t worry! With this luxurious cocoa butter lavender soap recipe, you can restore your skin’s moisture and bring it back to life. Enriched with the deep hydration of cocoa butter and the calming aroma of lavender, this handcrafted soap is your perfect companion for rejuvenating and nourishing your skin all season long without the use of any harsh chemicals.

Ingredients

Butters and Oils:

• Olive oil: 300 grams

• Coconut oil: 300 grams

• Cocoa butter: 200 grams

• Palm oil (or sustainable substitute, like shea butter): 200 grams

Lye Solution:

• Distilled water: 330 grams

• Sodium hydroxide (lye): 125 grams (calculated using a lye calculator)

Additives:

• Lavender essential oil: 30-40 grams

• Dried lavender buds (optional): 1 tablespoon (for decoration)

• Purple mica powder or natural indigo (optional): for coloring

Equipment

• Safety goggles and gloves

• Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic bowl

• Stick blender

• Soap mold (silicone or wooden lined with parchment paper)

• Kitchen scale

• Thermometer

• Spatula

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Work Area:

Ensure all equipment is clean and dry. Wear safety gear and work in a well-ventilated area.

2. Make the Lye Solution:

Slowly add the lye to the distilled water (never the other way around). Stir until dissolved. Let it cool to about 100–110°F.

3. Melt the Oils and Butters:

Melt the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and palm oil (or substitute) over low heat. Once they melt, add the olive oil and let the mixture cool to about 100–110°F.

4. Combine Lye Solution and Oils:

Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Use a stick blender to mix until you reach "trace".

5. Add Essential Oils and Colorants:

Mix in the lavender essential oil and mica powder (if using). Stir until evenly distributed.

6. Pour into Mold:

Pour the soap batter into the mold. Tap gently to remove air bubbles. Add dried lavender buds on top for decoration.

7. Cure the Soap:

Cover the mold with a lid or towel and let it sit for 24-48 hours until it firms. Unmold and cut into bars of your desired sizes. Allow the bars to cure in a well-ventilated area for 4-6 weeks for the best hardness and lather.

Enjoy your homemade lavender cocoa butter soap, full of the aromatic properties of lavender and moisturizing properties of cocoa butter.

Let us know what else you would add to help fight the dry season. Happy winters!🌿