Making a handmade soap

More and more people are turning to handmade soaps. There are many reasons for doing so, whether it's for pleasure, because they believe in zero waste, or because they want better control over their ingredients. Artisanal soaps are pleasant to use at home and make excellent gifts. They can be made using all-natural ingredients and are safe for all skin types.

Here are our two favorite soap recipes. These easy-to-make soaps will charm your skin, leaving it naturally clean and healthy!

Liquid hand and body soap

This liquid soap takes no time to prepare. It can be customized with your choice of essential oils, offering versatility and uniqueness. This soap can be used for both hands and body. Avoid direct contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Output: 1 liter of liquid soap
Requires: funnel, bottles and soap pumps

Ingredients

• 1 block of fragrance-free Marseille soap - mixture base
• 1/2 cup purified water
• 1/3 cup sweet almond oil (in case of allergy, usegrape seed oil)
• 40 drops essential oil (EO) of your choice or use one of the following recommendations:

20 drops pink grapefruit EO + 20 drops rose geranium EO

20 drops rosemary EO + 10 drops lavender EO + 10 drops lemon EO

20 drops bergamot EO + 20 drops Mandarin EO

20 drops ylang ylang EO + 20 drops pink grapefruit EO

20 drops bergamot EO + 10 drops lavender EO + 10 drops Cedar EO

Preparation

1. Grate Marseille soap into small pieces.
2. In a saucepan, heat all ingredients (except essential oils) until completely dissolved. 
3. Using a silicone spatula, transfer the liquid soap to a plastic bowl. 
4. Add the essential oils, 10 at a time, until the desired fragrance is obtained.
5. Stir vigorously with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. 
6. Using a funnel, transfer the liquid soap into clean soap pumps.

Handcrafted oatmeal soap bars

Making homemade soap bars can seem like a real headache. Some of the ingredients to be used, notably sodium hydroxide, are corrosive, making the process complex and risky. Fortunately, there's a shortcut to the joys of handmade soapmaking that's both simple and safe. These handmade oatmeal soap bars are fun to make and gentle on the skin. They can be molded to your liking.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Output : 4 bars of soap
Requires: silicone or rectangular molds + parchment paper

Ingredients

• 1 block of unscented Marseille soap - mixture base
• ½ cup of rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• Add one of the following options:

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon + 1 tablespoon honey

15 drops lavender EO + 15 drops rose geranium EO

20 drops lavender EO + 10 drops sandalwood EO

20 drops jasmine EO + 10 drops clary sage EO

10 drops patchouli EO + 10 drops lavender EO + 2 tsp. honey

EO: essential oil

Preparation

1. Grate the block of fragrance-free Marseille soap into small pieces. Soften the basic soap in a bain-marie. Soap can be softened in the microwave to save time. 
2. In the meantime, spray the oatmeal in a high-powered blender.
3. Add ground oats to softened soap base. Blend until smooth.
4. Add spices or essential oils. Mix vigorously.
5. Pour customized oatmeal soap into silicone molds or a rectangular mold lined with parchment paper.
6. Leave to dry for a few hours, then unmold. If the soap has been placed in a rectangular mold, remove the parchment paper slowly and cut soap bars with a kitchen knife.
7. Leave to dry for a few days in a well-ventilated place.

Good tailoring!

About the author

Naturopaths of La Boite à Grains

Team of licensed and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau, Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau