How to Make Green Tea Soap

By now you're probably aware of the health benefits of green tea. Green tea has been associated with a reduction in risk of a variety of chronic diseases ranging from heart disease to cancer. One green tea benefit that's less well known is the healthy effect it has on the skin. Green tea has been shown to not only reduce the risk of sun damage but also diminish the signs of skin aging such as sagging skin and wrinkles. One way to add green tea to your skin care regimen is to make green tea soap. Although many of the polyphenols that benefit the skin may be removed when you rise your face, you'll still enjoy the natural green color that green tea adds to soap as well as the soothing, all natural way it cleanses your skin. Here's how to make green tea soap quickly and easily in your own kitchen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Gather your supplies.
   
   To make green tea soap, you'll need to use matcha powder which is the green tea powder used in Japanese tea ceremonies. If you can't find this locally, it can be purchased online at http://www.healanything.com. You'll also need several bars of glycerin soap which can be purchased at your local drugstore. You'll want to purchase essential oils or fragrance oils of your choice at your local natural food market or health food store to add fragrance to your soap. Finally, you'll also need a mini loaf pan to hold the soap after you pour it as well as a sharp knife for cutting and a glass measuring cup.
2. Melt your glycerin soap.
   
   Using your knife cut your glycerin soap into small pieces around one inch square. Continue cutting until you have enough pieces to fill your glass measuring cup. Once it's full, microwave on high until the soap is completely melted.
3. Add your ingredients.
   
   Once the glycerin soap is melted, add one and a half tablespoons of Matcha green tea powder to the melted glycerin along with several drops of your chosen fragrance or essential oils. Stir the ingredients thoroughly.
4. Pour your soap.
   
   Once you've added your green tea powder and fragrance, it's time to pour your soap. Slowly pour the warm glycerin mixture into your mini loaf pan. If bubbles should develop, use a spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol to lightly spray the surface of your soap mixture.
5. Allow the soap to harden.
   
   Your soap should harden in about two and a half hours. Once it's firm to the touch, place the mini loaf pan in the freezer for fifteen minutes. When you remove it from the freezer, allow it to set at room temperature for ten minutes. Turn the pan over and tap it on the counter to release your soap.

Tips & Warnings

• Green tea soaps make wonderful gifts. Try wrapping them in handmade papers and tying them with raffia or a pretty ribbon.