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The Best Natural Homemade Soaps: 40 Recipes for Moisturizing Olive Oil-Based Soaps
- Author: Mar Gomez
- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Robert Rose (September 11, 2014)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0778804909
- ISBN-13: 978-0778804901
- Cover price $24.95
Luxurious, moisturizing olive oil–based soaps made easily at home.
There are only three essential ingredients required to create these luscious soaps: water, olive oil and caustic soda. Olive oil is used because it has the highest rating as a soap-making ingredient — its properties are known throughout the world. It’s the most beneficial oil for your health and has been used since ancient times thanks to its virtues for glowing hair and skin. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and has the added benefit of being available everywhere.
Once you have these three key ingredients, there are a number of other wonderful ingredients you can use to customize a soap that’s perfect for you. These ingredients include a wide range of natural products, like beeswax, cocoa butter, clay, kaolin, seaweed, goat’s milk and egg yolks. And because soap is such a sensory experience, there’s a comprehensive section on essential oils that create the air of perpetual breeze we all want out of a good soap.
You’ll learn the history and therapeutic uses of these oils, along with everything you need to know to choose the perfect scents. The fascinating history of soap is sure to enthrall, and handy preparation, utensil and ingredient guides ensure that you have everything you need to create store-quality soap at home.
MAR GÓMEZ has a diploma in Naturopathy, Dietetics and Nutrition and collaborates with a variety of media outlets. She also leads workshops on making natural products and has written several books.
I never really gave much thought to where soaps come from. I mean, I’ve thought about what soaps work, and what scents I like. But never how they actually came to be. The Best Natural Homemade Soaps shares a history of soap that’s actually quite interesting. Did you know way back when that soaps were made with ashes? I didn’t! Along with it’s history the book shares information on ingredients, utensils, additives, prep, tips and tutorials to name but a few. Then come the soap recipes.
Every soap recipe is quite detailed. I liked that each one is accompanied by a color photo. Besides the actual ingredients and instructions needed to make the soap the recipes also include lots of other information. You’ll learn some background on each type of soap, fun facts and trivia, and what specific actions each soap takes on the human skin. I was surprised to see that most of the homemade soaps in the book must dry for a month. Definitely not a last minute project! This book would be great for anyone that is interested in trying to make their own soap, and would also make a great gift.
What’s your favorite scent or type of soap?
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Years ago I luxuriated on castile soap–main ingredient ironically olive oil methinks.
This looks like a great book! I try to make a lot of homemade natural products, and I would love to try making my own soaps! Body products are among some of the worst offenders as far as chemicals, and this is such a great way to make sure you know what you are putting on your skin.
I have a friend who makes her own soap. She gives them away for gifts a lot too. I really appreciate great soap recipes. I’d love to try my own hand at making them one day. They are great gift ideas! This book looks like the book to have to start making them on your own!
Oh, these are fantastic! I love that they are homemade and would make such a great housewarming gift.
My favorite scent in a soap is lavender. Even if it makes me a little sleepy. 😉
Oh awesome! I love giving and purchasing homemade soaps, especially for those with skin sensitivities.