Courtesy of The Complete Guide to Natural Homemade Beauty Products and Treatments by Amelia Ruiz © 2016 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission. Available where books are sold.
Lavender Soap
This recipe requires
• Blender
• 6-cup (1.5 L) canning jar with lid
• Large fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth
• Soap molds
Lavender essential oil is known for its health-enhancing, relaxing properties. It relieves anxiety, irritability, stress, headaches and skin problems.
Best for: All skin types Tips: Brandy can be expensive. Don’t splurge on the high-end stuff for this recipe. It requires just a neutral alcohol to draw out the scent of the lavender flowers. Castile soap is a traditional, simple soap made with olive oil. Some modern versions contain other fats. Look for unscented bars, which will allow the lavender aroma to be the focus. This recipe makes a big batch of soap. Make sure you have plenty of molds before you start.
Note: Always measure accurately when you’re making homemade beauty products.
Ingredients
8 oz fresh lavender flowers and leaves, finely chopped (250 g)
4 cups brandy (see Tips) (1 L)
2 lbs unscented castile soap bars, grated (see Tips) (1 kg)
1 tbsp lavender essential oil (15 mL)
Instructions
1. In blender, combine lavender flowers and leaves and brandy. Purée at high speed for 2 minutes.
2. Pour lavender mixture into jar. Seal tightly and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours.
3. Place fine-mesh sieve over a large heatproof bowl; strain liquid into bowl, discarding solids. Add soap to bowl. Set aside.
4. Pour enough water into a large saucepan to come about 2 inches (5 cm) up the side; bring to a simmer.
5. Set bowl on saucepan so that bottom of bowl is not touching simmering water; heat, stirring occasionally, until soap mixture is melted and smooth. Remove bowl from heat. Stir in lavender essential oil until well combined. Let cool slightly.
6. Pour soap mixture into molds. Let cool at room temperature until hardened. Unmold soaps. Let stand in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place for 4 to 6 weeks before using.
If you’re looking for more meal recipes like this be sure to check out my review of The Complete Guide to Natural Homemade Beauty Products and Treatments. You can purchase the book on Amazon by clicking below.
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The Complete Guide to Natural Homemade Beauty Products and Treatments
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Robert Rose (March 15, 2016)
- ISBN-10: 0778805301
- ISBN-13: 978-0778805304
- Cover price $24.95
- Purchase on Amazon
Beware. Shipboard sailors have been known to consume anything containing proof alcohol.
This looks like such a fun project to try. I’ve never made soap before but it would be nice to know all the ingredients in my beauty products.
What an awesome soap to make! Lavender is perfect for nighttime baths with the kids since it’s so calming.
Wow, sounds wonderful. It would be so nice to make your own soap. I love Lavender scent.