Nourish Your Skin Naturally: My Soft Soap Recipe for Hands

Gentle Natural Nourishing Hand Soap

Welcome to Healing Wellness Path!

Discover how to make a luxurious natural soft soap for hands using skin-loving ingredients that cleanse without stripping and nourishes your skin. This beginner-friendly recipe is perfect if you want a nourishing, homemade alternative to store-bought soaps. In this blog, you’ll learn the benefits of each ingredient, tips for achieving the perfect consistency, and ways to customize your soft soap with essential oils. Ideal for natural skincare lovers, DIY makers, and anyone looking to elevate their wellness routine with gentle, handmade products.

For your natural soft soap, you'll need:

• Castile Soap Paste or diluted Castile Soap

• Distilled water

• Jojoba oil, Simmondsia chinensis

• Fractionated coconut oil, Cocos nucifera

• Almond oil, Prunus Amygdalus dulcis - you may substitute with Grapeseed or other carrier oils that you find nourishing to the skin if you have any nut allergies

• Essential oils (Optional)

• Xanthum Gum

Supplies you will need:

• Immersion Blender

• Bowls

• Large jar for dissolving castile soap paste

• Spoons

• Container for your final product

Instructions:

If starting with castile paste:

The Castile paste I used was made with Pure Extra Virgin Olive oil.

Step 1:

Add 100 g of Castile Soap Paste to a large jar, then add 300 g of Distilled Water.

Step 2:

Cold Process: Allow it to sit until it fully dissolves. I typically leave mine overnight, but if any pieces remain, I use a blender to hasten the process.

Warm Process: Carefully heat the diluted castile soap solution, stirring occasionally until the paste is completely dissolved.

Start here if you have your diluted castile soap solution:

Step 3:

You will need about 1% to 5% carrier oil by weight. In this recipe, I used 6 g of carrier oils, which equals 1.5%.

Weigh out 3 g of Jojoba oil, 1 g of coconut oil, and 2 g of Almond oil. Caution: If you or anyone in your household has nut allergies, replace with another lighter carrier oil such as Grapeseed oil, Vitis vinifera, as it is highly conditioning, light, silky, and non-greasy.

Step 4:

To infuse your soap with fragrance, it's beneficial to prepare a master blend of essential oils a few days before making the soap. This allows the oils to synergize effectively. I aimed for a blend with top notes of sweet orange and peppermint oils, middle notes of lavender, and base notes of patchouli, creating a fresh, slightly sweet, and subtly woody aroma.

In this blend I used:

• 7 drops of sweet orange

• 2 drops of peppermint

• 3 drops of lavender

• 2 drops of Patchouli

Step 5:

Emulsify with an immersion blender.

Step 6:

Gradually incorporate Xanthan Gum to assist with emulsification and thickening. Keep in mind that Xanthan Gum can be challenging to dissolve in water, even with an immersion blender. It is advisable to dissolve it in oil before mixing it into the water/soap solution. Since I was unsure of the exact amount of Xanthan Gum needed, I opted not to dissolve it in the coconut oil to avoid waste. When I transferred the final product, I noticed a lump of Xanthan Gum left in the bowl. However, since I had achieved the desired consistency, I didn't worry about the undissolved Xanthan Gum and excluded it from my soap.

You're finished. Transfer the finished product in a container of your choice.

Previously, I used Castile soap without any carrier oils and noticed it didn't lather well and left my hands dry. With this new recipe, the lather is excellent, but I'm considering increasing the carrier oil amount to combat dryness without making the soap greasy. It's winter, and my hands are particularly dry. The advantage of making your own soap is the ability to tailor it to your specific needs and preferences. Although it requires time and patience, the results are very satisfying.

When buying Castile soap, it's crucial to pay attention to ingredient sourcing, particularly palm oil kernels, due to their environmental and ethical concerns. Palm oil is often used for its emulsifying qualities, but its production can negatively impact tropical rainforests and biodiversity.

To promote sustainability, look for certifications like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which ensures minimal environmental harm, fair labor conditions, and community protection. Sustainable sourcing is vital to preventing deforestation and preserving endangered species.

Inform yourself about brands and manufacturers that prioritize transparency and ethical sourcing. Supporting these brands encourages environmental responsibility within the personal care industry.

Consider using alternatives to palm oil, such as coconut, olive, or other vegetable oils, which provide similar benefits without contributing to rainforest destruction.

In my case, I created my own Castile soap paste using Pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Potassium Hydroxide. If you're interested in a video or blog about how to do this, please leave a comment.

Shelf Life for this Natural Soft Soap: When making a natural product with water, even if it's distilled, it's essential to understand that there are no preservatives. As a result, your soap might eventually be contaminated with bacterial growth, or if you're using oils like Grapeseed oil, it could become rancid. This is why making small batches is so beneficial. I use my soap within 1 to 3 months without any problems.

Why do I go through the trouble to make my own soap?

Making my own natural soap is a rewarding endeavor that goes beyond mere personal preference; it encompasses a multitude of benefits that significantly enhance my skincare routine. One of the primary reasons for embarking on this soapy journey is the ability to customize every aspect of the soap to cater to my individual skin needs. When I create my own soap, I have complete control over the choice of ingredients, allowing me to select carrier oils that are rich in nutrients and beneficial properties tailored specifically for my skin type. For instance, I can opt for olive oil, known for its moisturizing qualities, or coconut oil, which has antibacterial properties. This level of customization ensures that I am not exposing my skin to harsh chemicals commonly found in commercial soaps, which can lead to irritation or adverse reactions.

In addition to selecting the ideal carrier oils, I also have the freedom to incorporate glycerin, a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin, enhancing the overall hydration and softness of the soap. This is particularly important for individuals with dry or sensitive skin, as it allows for a gentler cleansing experience. Furthermore, I can create my own natural fragrances using essential oils derived from plants, herbs, and flowers. This not only allows for a delightful sensory experience but also eliminates the risk of irritation that synthetic fragrances often pose. For example, lavender essential oil is known for its calming effects, while tea tree oil offers antiseptic properties, making it a fantastic addition for those prone to breakouts.

Another significant advantage of crafting my own soap is the positive impact it has on the environment. By choosing biodegradable ingredients, I can ensure that my soap is not only good for my skin but also gentle on the planet. Many commercial soaps contain synthetic additives and preservatives that can contribute to pollution and harm aquatic life when they enter waterways. In contrast, the natural ingredients I select for my homemade soap break down more easily and are less likely to cause ecological harm. This eco-friendly approach aligns with a growing awareness of sustainability and the importance of making conscious choices that benefit both my health and the environment.

Moreover, the process of making soap can be a creative outlet, allowing me to experiment with different combinations of ingredients, colors, and textures. Each batch becomes a unique creation, reflecting my personal style and preferences. This hands-on experience not only fosters a deeper connection to the products I use daily but also provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from creating something with my own hands. In essence, the journey of making my own soap is not just about the end product; it's about embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes health, creativity, and environmental responsibility.

Since I began my journey into soap making, I've been amazed by how many others have joined this path, creating stunning works of art with their soap bars. While I'm unsure if I'll dive deeper into the art of crafting beautifully designed soaps, for now, I'm content with knowing how to make simple soft hand soap, soap bars, and exfoliating bars. I'll definitely adjust my recipes as I discover more about my preferences in soap. Experimentation is part of the fun. I'm excited to see where my wellness and skincare journey leads. Until next time, keep exploring and adding new natural products to your skincare routine.

Don't forget to visit my YouTube Channel for more.

Nourish Your Skin Naturally: My Soft Soap Recipe for Hands & Body