This is one of the ways people make soap "without caustic soda" - as it has already been used during the soap manufacture. All saponification has already taken place during the manufacturing process, so you may safely put your hands into this Powdered Soap Base and children can easily make soap using this method - just like making scones!
Use:
- Approximately 250g Pure Ground Soap Base
- Approximately up to 120ml Hot Distilled or Spring Water - add slowly checking malleability as you go
- Approximately 1 teaspoon of Macadamia or Almond Oil (or other vegetable oil)
- Essential Oils or Fragrance as desired
- Additives for Colour or Texture as desired
To make:
NOTE: Powdered Soap Base is VERY DUSTY until moistened, so take care, and use a dust mask if desired
- Sieve the base into a large glass or stainless steel bowl (not plastic or aluminium)
- Let the water cool slightly, then add the oil
- Stir the hot water and oil into the base and mix to form a dough like texture
- As the soap starts to cool quite quickly, now you can get your hands into it and mix well
- Now add any clay or "scrubbies" (such as polenta or pumice) and the fragrance or essential oils
- Add any colour additives whether cosmetic colours, or herbal powders now
- Shape into balls or pebble shapes, or use a simple mould and leave to dry on a rack for 3-6 weeks prior to use
Suggested Additives:
- Exfoliants - Oats, Oatmeal, Wheatgerm, Polenta, Ground Pumice, Walnut Shell, Bamboo Powder or clean sand.
- Botanicals
- any fully dried, finely ground herbs you wish that are safe (not skin irritants) for skin.
- Colour - Natural herbs and spices or clays can be used: cinnamon for brown, paprika for apricot, turmeric for golden. Warning: use small amounts, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
- Cosmetic clay - is another natural product and is available in green, red and yellow and by adding a small amount you not only colour your soap but add a lovely softness as well.
- Facial soap - for a luxurious facial soap you may like to replace some or all of the water with Rosewater and use vegetable glycerine in place of the almond oil. Do not add grains.
Please note that the base is very light and powdery and must be handled carefully when measuring or pouring into your bowl to avoid dust irritation.
Warning: if skin irritation should ever occur, discontinue use immediately. ALWAYS use only the recommeded allowable amount of essential oils.
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