Glorious Beeswax Soap
Making soap using beeswax is a delightful and nourishing way to create a natural, skin-friendly product. Beeswax is the key to harden the soap and add its unique properties to the mix. Here's a basic cold process soap recipe that incorporates beeswax:
Ingredients:
- 300 grams coconut oil
- 300 grams olive oil
- 113 grams beeswax
- 120 grams lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 277 grams distilled water
- 28-56 grams essential oils for fragrance (optional)
- Soap mold
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic mixing bowls
- Stick blender or hand mixer
Instructions:
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Safety Precautions: When working with lye, it's essential to take safety precautions. Wear safety goggles, gloves, and work in a well-ventilated area.
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Prepare Your Work Area: Cover your work area with newspaper or plastic sheeting to protect it from spills. Ensure that pets and children are not in the vicinity while working with lye.
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Measure and Prepare Ingredients: Weigh out all your ingredients accurately using a kitchen scale. Place the beeswax in a heatproof container.
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Mix Lye and Water: Slowly add the lye to the distilled water while stirring gently. Never pour water into lye, as it can create a dangerous reaction. Stir until the lye is fully dissolved, and the mixture becomes clear. Allow it to cool to around 38-43°C.
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Melt Beeswax: In a separate heatproof container, melt the beeswax. Use a microwave or a double boiler. Beeswax has a relatively high melting point, so it may take a little time.
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Melt Oils: In another heatproof container, combine the coconut oil and olive oil. Heat until the oils are fully melted and reach a temperature of around 38-43°C.
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Combine Oils and Beeswax: Pour the melted beeswax into the melted oils and stir to combine.
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Prepare the Mold: Line or grease your soap mold to prevent sticking.
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Mix Lye Solution and Oils: When both the lye solution and oil mixture are around 38-43°C, slowly pour the lye solution into the oils while stirring continuously. Use a stick blender or hand mixer to mix until you achieve trace, which means the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency and leaves a trail when you lift the blender.
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Add Essential Oils (Optional): Beeswax scent the soap in itself and smells so good, but if you want to add additional fragrance to your soap, now is the time to mix in your chosen essential oils.
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Pour into Mold: Pour the soap mixture into the prepared soap mold. Tap the mold gently on a countertop to release any air bubbles.
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Insulate and Cure: Cover the soap mold with a towel or blanket to keep it warm. Allow the soap to cure for 24-48 hours.
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Cut and Cure Again: After the initial curing period, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars. Place the bars on a drying rack and allow them to cure for 4-6 weeks. This curing time allows the soap to harden and become milder.
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Label and Store: Once fully cured, label your soap with the date and ingredients. Store the soap in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use it.
Making soap at home can be a rewarding hobby, but it's important to follow safety precautions, especially when handling lye. Be sure to research and understand the soap-making process thoroughly before you begin.
