Homemade Soaps

Published On Monday, February 21, 2011 By A_khan. Under: Whitening Skin Care. Tags: Cleanser, Essential oil, Glycerin soap, Soap

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Using soap to clean the face is really only a suitable option for those with combination or oily complexion. However, soap will not remove oil-based make-up, which is not soluble in water, so use a cream cleanser such as cold cream first. Medicated soaps can also cause problems when their antiseptic properties overly dry the skin. Side effects o using medicated soaps on regular basis include skin flaking, and mottling on the surface of the colored skins. They are also not particularly effective in combating serious skin disorders such as acne. Stylish soaps that can be made at home include exfoliating bars that contain tiny granules of sand, oatmeal or wheat germ. These soaps dislodged the dead skin cells, leaving the skin thoroughly invigorating and glowing.

Oatmeal and Orange Soap Balls

• 275 g (10 oz) soft vegetable glycerin soap or Marseille block soap
• 50 g (2 oz) medium ground oatmeal
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) almond oil
• 5 ml (1 tsp) finely grated orange zest
• 12 drops lemon essential oil

The key to adopting soaps to suit your own skin type is to start with good quality soap as a base. Health shops and herbal suppliers sell blocks of vegetable glycerin soap. Most other soaps are tripling milled which makes them difficult to work with (they also contain beef tallow, which smell terrible when melted)

• Prepare the soap by slicing or grating into small pieces.
• Melt in a double boiler or heatproof bowl set. Stir in the oatmeal and almond oil and mi thoroughly.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the grated orange zest and lemon essential oils and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
• Divide the mixture into four equal-sized portions and roll each one into a small ball. Place the soap balls on a wire rack and leave overnight to harden.
• When the soaps have set hard, wrap it in tissue paper and store in a cool, dry place.

Gently Medicated Soap

• 150 g (5oz) soft olive oil
• 50 ml (2 fl oz) strong sage tea
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 ml (1 tsp) almond oil or jojoba oil (to grease moulds)

This is an excellent cleansing bar to use an oily, combination or acne-prone complexions. The essential oils help purify the skin and have a gentler effect on soaps. This recipe works best with green olive oil soap from Marseille, sold in health soaps.

• Chop or grate the soap into small pieces. Place in a double boiler or heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and begin to melt over a high heat. Add the sage tea and stir thoroughly, adding a little extra water if necessary. Remove from the heat and allow cooling before adding the essential oils, as heat reduces their potency.
• Pour the soap mixture into greased molds (such as small bun tins, chine ramekins or egg cups) and leave in a cool place to harden overnight.
• Remove from the molds using the tip of a sharp knife and wrap in a tissue paper until ready to use. The soap remains slightly soft even when stored.