What is Coconut Oil Soap?
Soap, by definition, is a salt created when a fatty acid combines with alkali material. It provides lubrication and breaks water's surface tension so dirt and oil can wash away. Coconut oil makes an amazing addition to soaping recipes and is excellent for from-scratch laundry detergent.
Benefits of coconut oil in soap
- moisturizing
- rich lather
- eczema & acne
- reducing inflammation
- skin-healing
- antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
how to make coconut oil soap
Making coconut oil soap at home is a rewarding and fun process. Coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties and creates a rich, creamy lather. Here's a straightforward recipe to get you started.
Although the recipe only requires two ingredients, it is a very creamy soap with perfect lather.
Ingredients:
- Distilled water 62.40g
- Sodium hydroxide (lye) cosmetic grade 33g
- Coconut oil 240g
- Lemon essential oil (optional) 7g
Method:
- In a suitable container, add the water.
- Add the sodium hydroxide (lye) to the water.
- Mix the sodium hydroxide (lye) in the water until it is completely dissolved (the solution will be opaque at first but will become clear after some minutes).
- Measure the coconut oil and place it on medium heat to melt.
- After the coconut oil has melted, move it to a mixing bowl.
- Check the temperature of the oil and the lye solution. The recommended temperature is around 35-40 degrees Celsius.
- Pour the lye solution into the melted oil and mix with an immersion blender.
- Keep mixing for a minute until you reach a trace. Trace is when the oil and water combine, it makes a thick emulsion. Don't use the blender for too long because you don't want to reach over trace (when the emulsion is too thick to pour).
- If you want to add essential oil, add it now and mix to combine.
- Pour the mixture into molds (you can tap the mold gently, to release air bubbles) and leave it to harden for 24-48 hours.
- After 24-48 hours, unmold the soaps.
- Let the soaps cure for 3-6 weeks before using. Curing is when some of the water evaporates from the soap and it becomes harder.
- If you want to check the PH of the soap, wet one side of the soap, then place a PH strip on the damp side of the soap.
