Avocado Cold Process Soap Project
We went all in on this Avocado Soap. It’s made with avocado oil, avocado butter and Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil.
This soap is scented with Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil, which is a fresh mix of sea moss, melon and agave. To make the soap look just like an avocado, we used the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold. The base is colored with a combination of spinach powder, Kermit Green Mica, and Fizzy Lemonade Colorant.
The seed is made with LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base and Brown Oxide Color Block, and the bars are finished with dark soap painted on the outside. We found that the outer layer of soap does lather brown. You can use less colorant to prevent this if you like.
The process is straightforward but does require a few steps, so give yourself time when making this project. We recommend higher temperatures of around 130-140° F. Individual cavity molds like the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold don’t insulate soap like loaf molds do. Creating the base with higher temperatures and keeping the soap lightly insulated after pouring helps it saponify faster and unmold easier. Sodium lactate is highly recommended as well.
What You Need:
Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold
SFIC LCP Clear Melt And Pour Soap Base - 1 lb
SFIC LCP White Melt And Pour Soap Base - 1 lb
6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold - 1 Mold
Avocado Oil - 1 lb
Avocado Butter - 1 lb
Coconut Oil - 1 lb
Olive Oil - Pure - 1 lb
Sodium Hydroxide Lye
Sodium Lactate - 4 oz
Spinach Powder - 3 oz
Fizzy Lemonade Colorant - 1 oz
Kermit Green Mica - 1 oz
Brown Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
Black Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil - 1.75 oz
Brown Oxide Color Block - 1 Block
Palm Oil - 1 lb
Green Chrome Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- SFIC LCP Clear Melt And Pour Soap Base - 1 lb
- SFIC LCP White Melt And Pour Soap Base - 1 lb
- Avocado Oil - 1 lb
- Avocado Butter - 1 lb
- Coconut Oil - 1 lb
- Olive Oil - Pure - 1 lb
- Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- Sodium Lactate - 4 oz
- Spinach Powder - 3 oz
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant - 1 oz
- Kermit Green Mica - 1 oz
- Brown Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
- Black Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
- Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil - 1.75 oz
- Brown Oxide Color Block - 1 Block
- Palm Oil - 1 lb
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment - 1 oz
EQUIPMENT:
- Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold
- 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold - 1 Mold
Instructions
You will need:
- Embeds:
- Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold
- 5 oz. LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap
- 0.5 oz. LCP White Melt and Pour Soap
- Brown Oxide Color Block
- Soap Base:
- 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold
- 1.8 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 0.9 oz. Avocado Butter (5%)
- 5.4 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 4.5 oz. Olive Oil (25%)
- 5.4 oz. Palm Oil (30%)
- 2.6 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 5.3 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 1.5 oz. Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil
- Spinach Powder
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant
- Kermit Green Mica
- Outer Soap Layer:
- 0.6 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 0.3 oz. Avocado Butter (5%)
- 1.8 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 1.5 oz. Olive Oil (25%)
- 1.8 oz. Palm Oil (30%)
- 0.9 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 1.8 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- Brown Oxide Pigment
- Black Oxide Pigment
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment
- Optional: Shaving Brush
Follow these steps:
MAKE THE EMBEDS
1
Chop 5 ounces of LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base into small uniform pieces. Then, chop 0.5 ounces of LCP White Melt and Pour Soap Base into small uniform pieces. Place the soap into a heat-safe container and add a chunk of the Brown Oxide Pigment. Melt the soap in the microwave using 10-15 second bursts.
2
Pour the soap into each cavity of the Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold. Spritz with alcohol to get rid of bubbles and allow the soap to fully cool and harden for 2-3 hours. Remove each embed from the mold and set aside.
MAKE THE BASE
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.5 ounces of Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 2 teaspoons of the spinach powder into 2 tablespoons of avocado, sunflower, or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). In separate containers, mix 1 teaspoon of Kermit Green Mica and 1 teaspoon of Fizzy Lemonade Colorant with 1 tablespoon lightweight oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Set colorants aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.
1
Slowly and carefully add 2.6 ounces of lye to 5.3 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, add 1 teaspoon sodium lactate.
2
In a large glass bowl, combine and melt 1.8 ounces of avocado oil, 0.9 ounces of avocado butter, 5.4 ounces of coconut oil, 4.5 ounces of olive oil, and 5.4 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130-140° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a thin trace.
3
Add all of the dispersed spinach powder, 1 teaspoon of dispersed Kermit Green Mica, and 1 teaspoon dispersed Fizzy Lemonade Colorant. Pulse the stick blender to mix in the colorants.
4
Add all of the measured Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil. Use the stick blender to mix in the fragrance using short pulses, and using it to stir.
5
Continue to mix the soap batter until it is a medium trace. Pour the soap into each cavity of the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold. After each pour, tap the mold on the counter to help level the soap. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the soap.
6
Place a brown embed into each bar in the lower center of the mold cavity. Gently press it into the soap about ⅓ of the way.
7
Spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash. This soap benefits from being lightly insulated. A good way to do this is to place the soap into a drawer or other small space.
8
Allow the soap to harden in the mold for 2-3 days. To unmold, pull the mold away from the soap to break the airlock. Gently and slowly push the soap out from the back of the mold. Set soaps aside to prep the ingredients for the outer layer.
MAKE THE OUTER LAYER
1
Slowly and carefully add 0.9 ounces of lye to 1.8 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add ½ teaspoon sodium lactate.
2
In a small container, combine and melt 0.6 ounces of avocado oil, 0.3 ounces of avocado butter, 1.8 ounces of coconut oil, 1.5 ounces of olive oil, and 1.8 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 120-130° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a thin trace.
3
Add ¼ teaspoon of dispersed brown oxide, ¼ teaspoon of Green Chrome Oxide Pigment, and about ¾ teaspoon of black oxide. Use the stick blender to fully mix in the colorants.
4
Continue to stick blend the soap until it reaches a thick-medium trace - the texture of very thick pudding.
5
Use a shaving brush or large paint brush to paint the dark brown soap onto the outside of each avocado. Use a combination of dabbing motions and brush strokes to create a textured appearance.
6
Place each avocado soap face down onto a cutting board to allow the outer layer to harden for 2-3 days.
7
Wipe off any brown soap from the top of the bars using a bit of alcohol and a paper towel. Allow the soap to fully cure and harden for 4-6 weeks. Enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Avocado Cold Process Soap Project
- LEVEL Advanced
- TIME 2 hours
- YIELD 6 bars of soap
Project Description
This soap is scented with Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil, which is a fresh mix of sea moss, melon and agave. To make the soap look just like an avocado, we used the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold. The base is colored with a combination of spinach powder, Kermit Green Mica, and Fizzy Lemonade Colorant.
The seed is made with LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base and Brown Oxide Color Block, and the bars are finished with dark soap painted on the outside. We found that the outer layer of soap does lather brown. You can use less colorant to prevent this if you like.
The process is straightforward but does require a few steps, so give yourself time when making this project. We recommend higher temperatures of around 130-140° F. Individual cavity molds like the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold don’t insulate soap like loaf molds do. Creating the base with higher temperatures and keeping the soap lightly insulated after pouring helps it saponify faster and unmold easier. Sodium lactate is highly recommended as well.
You will need:
- Embeds:
- Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold
- 5 oz. LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap
- 0.5 oz. LCP White Melt and Pour Soap
- Brown Oxide Color Block
- Soap Base:
- 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold
- 1.8 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 0.9 oz. Avocado Butter (5%)
- 5.4 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 4.5 oz. Olive Oil (25%)
- 5.4 oz. Palm Oil (30%)
- 2.6 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 5.3 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 1.5 oz. Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil
- Spinach Powder
- Fizzy Lemonade Colorant
- Kermit Green Mica
- Outer Soap Layer:
- 0.6 oz. Avocado Oil (10%)
- 0.3 oz. Avocado Butter (5%)
- 1.8 oz. Coconut Oil (30%)
- 1.5 oz. Olive Oil (25%)
- 1.8 oz. Palm Oil (30%)
- 0.9 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 1.8 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- Brown Oxide Pigment
- Black Oxide Pigment
- Green Chrome Oxide Pigment
- Optional: Shaving Brush
Follow these steps:
MAKE THE EMBEDS
1
Chop 5 ounces of LCP Clear Melt and Pour Soap Base into small uniform pieces. Then, chop 0.5 ounces of LCP White Melt and Pour Soap Base into small uniform pieces. Place the soap into a heat-safe container and add a chunk of the Brown Oxide Pigment. Melt the soap in the microwave using 10-15 second bursts.
2
Pour the soap into each cavity of the Medium 9 Ball Silicone Mold. Spritz with alcohol to get rid of bubbles and allow the soap to fully cool and harden for 2-3 hours. Remove each embed from the mold and set aside.
MAKE THE BASE
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.5 ounces of Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 2 teaspoons of the spinach powder into 2 tablespoons of avocado, sunflower, or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). In separate containers, mix 1 teaspoon of Kermit Green Mica and 1 teaspoon of Fizzy Lemonade Colorant with 1 tablespoon lightweight oil. Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps. Set colorants aside.
SAFETY FIRST: Suit up for safe handling practices. That means goggles, gloves, and long sleeves. Make sure kids, pets, other distractions, and tripping hazards are out of the house or don’t have access to your soaping space. Always soap in a well-ventilated area.
1
Slowly and carefully add 2.6 ounces of lye to 5.3 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, add 1 teaspoon sodium lactate.
2
In a large glass bowl, combine and melt 1.8 ounces of avocado oil, 0.9 ounces of avocado butter, 5.4 ounces of coconut oil, 4.5 ounces of olive oil, and 5.4 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130-140° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a thin trace.
3
Add all of the dispersed spinach powder, 1 teaspoon of dispersed Kermit Green Mica, and 1 teaspoon dispersed Fizzy Lemonade Colorant. Pulse the stick blender to mix in the colorants.
4
Add all of the measured Emerald Agave Fragrance Oil. Use the stick blender to mix in the fragrance using short pulses, and using it to stir.
5
Continue to mix the soap batter until it is a medium trace. Pour the soap into each cavity of the 6 Bar Oval Silicone Mold. After each pour, tap the mold on the counter to help level the soap. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the soap.
6
Place a brown embed into each bar in the lower center of the mold cavity. Gently press it into the soap about ⅓ of the way.
7
Spritz the soap with 99% isopropyl alcohol to prevent soda ash. This soap benefits from being lightly insulated. A good way to do this is to place the soap into a drawer or other small space.
8
Allow the soap to harden in the mold for 2-3 days. To unmold, pull the mold away from the soap to break the airlock. Gently and slowly push the soap out from the back of the mold. Set soaps aside to prep the ingredients for the outer layer.
MAKE THE OUTER LAYER
1
Slowly and carefully add 0.9 ounces of lye to 1.8 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. If you’d like a harder bar of soap that releases faster from the mold, you can add sodium lactate to the cooled lye water. Use 1 teaspoon of sodium lactate per pound of oils in the recipe. For this recipe, you’d add ½ teaspoon sodium lactate.
2
In a small container, combine and melt 0.6 ounces of avocado oil, 0.3 ounces of avocado butter, 1.8 ounces of coconut oil, 1.5 ounces of olive oil, and 1.8 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning). Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 120-130° F (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend the mixture to a thin trace.
3
Add ¼ teaspoon of dispersed brown oxide, ¼ teaspoon of Green Chrome Oxide Pigment, and about ¾ teaspoon of black oxide. Use the stick blender to fully mix in the colorants.
4
Continue to stick blend the soap until it reaches a thick-medium trace - the texture of very thick pudding.
5
Use a shaving brush or large paint brush to paint the dark brown soap onto the outside of each avocado. Use a combination of dabbing motions and brush strokes to create a textured appearance.
6
Place each avocado soap face down onto a cutting board to allow the outer layer to harden for 2-3 days.
7
Wipe off any brown soap from the top of the bars using a bit of alcohol and a paper towel. Allow the soap to fully cure and harden for 4-6 weeks. Enjoy.
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman