Lavender and Charcoal Soap Project
The charcoal and cocoa butter in this recipe will leave your skin feeling soft and clean.
Charcoal soap has become extremely popular, and for good reason – it has amazing skin benefits. Its powerful absorption properties make it especially beneficial for oily facial skin.
This Lavender and Charcoal Soap was designed primarily for use on the body, but it’s also suitable for the face. In particular, the olive oil and cocoa butter are moisturizing so they make it suitable for combination or dry skin. If you have oily skin, the Charcoal Facial Soap Kit is for you.
The activated charcoal gives part of the soap a striking gray color, while the rest is left uncolored. The colors are poured into the mold in layers and then swirled using the Hanger Tool. The lack of precision in the swirling technique creates different bars each time. It's also great for beginners because there's no right or wrong way to do it.
What You Need:
Coconut Oil - 1 lb
Olive Oil - Pure - 1 lb
Cocoa Butter Pastilles - 1 lb
Sodium Hydroxide Lye
Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil - 1.75 oz
Activated Charcoal - 1 oz
10 inch Silicone Loaf Mold
Palm Oil - 1 lb
Hanger Swirl Tool
Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- Coconut Oil - 1 lb
- Olive Oil - Pure - 1 lb
- Cocoa Butter Pastilles - 1 lb
- Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil - 1.75 oz
- Activated Charcoal - 1 oz
- Palm Oil - 1 lb
EQUIPMENT:
- 10 inch Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
Instructions
You will need:
- 10” Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
- 3.3 oz. Cocoa Butter (10%)
- 8.3 oz. Coconut Oil (25%)
- 13.2 oz. Olive Oil (40%)
- 8.3 oz. Palm Oil (25%)
- 4.6 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 9.8 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 1.75 oz. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Activated Charcoal
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.75 ounces of lavender 40/42 essential oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 1 tablespoon of the activated charcoal into 1 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps.
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 space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 4.6 ounces of lye to 9.8 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.
2
In a large heat-safe container, combine and melt 8.3 ounces of coconut oil, 3.3 ounces of cocoa butter, 13.2 ounces of olive oil, and 8.3 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning).
3
Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130° F or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace.
4
Whisk in the lavender 40/42 essential oil. Split off about 300 mL of soap into a separate container.
5
To the large container, add all of the dispersed activated charcoal and whisk in.
6
Alternate pouring the white and black soap into the mold until both containers are empty.
7
Insert the Hanger Swirl Tool into the soap and create 5-6 loops. Remove the tool and tap the mold on the counter to help get rid of bubbles.
8
Use a spoon to create a textured top. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it! If the soap does not hold its shape, allow it to harden in the mold for several minutes and try again.
9
Once you’re happy with the look, spritz the top with alcohol to prevent soda ash. Allow it to stay in the mold for 2-3 days. Cut into bars and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks before using. Enjoy!
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman
Lavender and Charcoal Soap Project
- LEVEL Intermediate
- TIME 2 hours
- YIELD 3 pounds of soap
Project Description
Charcoal soap has become extremely popular, and for good reason – it has amazing skin benefits. Its powerful absorption properties make it especially beneficial for oily facial skin.
This Lavender and Charcoal Soap was designed primarily for use on the body, but it’s also suitable for the face. In particular, the olive oil and cocoa butter are moisturizing so they make it suitable for combination or dry skin. If you have oily skin, the Charcoal Facial Soap Kit is for you.
The activated charcoal gives part of the soap a striking gray color, while the rest is left uncolored. The colors are poured into the mold in layers and then swirled using the Hanger Tool. The lack of precision in the swirling technique creates different bars each time. It's also great for beginners because there's no right or wrong way to do it.
You will need:
- 10” Silicone Loaf Mold
- Hanger Swirl Tool
- 3.3 oz. Cocoa Butter (10%)
- 8.3 oz. Coconut Oil (25%)
- 13.2 oz. Olive Oil (40%)
- 8.3 oz. Palm Oil (25%)
- 4.6 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 9.8 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
- 1.75 oz. Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Activated Charcoal
FRAGRANCE PREP: Measure 1.75 ounces of lavender 40/42 essential oil into a small glass container and set aside.
COLORANT PREP: Disperse 1 tablespoon of the activated charcoal into 1 tablespoon of sunflower or sweet almond oil (or any other liquid oil). Use a mini mixer to get rid of any clumps.
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 space. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
Follow these steps:
1
Slowly and carefully add 4.6 ounces of lye to 9.8 ounces of water and gently stir until the lye has fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Set aside to cool. Optional: Add 2 teaspoons of sodium lactate to help the bars harden more quickly.
2
In a large heat-safe container, combine and melt 8.3 ounces of coconut oil, 3.3 ounces of cocoa butter, 13.2 ounces of olive oil, and 8.3 ounces of palm oil (remember to fully melt then mix your entire container of palm oil before portioning).
3
Once the lye water and the oils have cooled to 130° F or below (and are ideally within 10 degrees of each other), add the lye water to the oils and stick blend until thin trace.
4
Whisk in the lavender 40/42 essential oil. Split off about 300 mL of soap into a separate container.
5
To the large container, add all of the dispersed activated charcoal and whisk in.
6
Alternate pouring the white and black soap into the mold until both containers are empty.
7
Insert the Hanger Swirl Tool into the soap and create 5-6 loops. Remove the tool and tap the mold on the counter to help get rid of bubbles.
8
Use a spoon to create a textured top. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it! If the soap does not hold its shape, allow it to harden in the mold for several minutes and try again.
9
Once you’re happy with the look, spritz the top with alcohol to prevent soda ash. Allow it to stay in the mold for 2-3 days. Cut into bars and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks before using. Enjoy!
Tutorial credits
Photographer: Amanda Kerzman