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!🌿