How to Make Soap With Liquid Glycerin

Glycerin is widely used in cosmetics because it is known to attract moisture to the skin. It has skin soothing and softening properties. According to pioneerthinking.com, clear soaps contain 15 to 20 percent pure glycerin. It is easy to make glycerin soap using the melt-and-pour method. Here we explain how to make your own custom-made glycerin bar and liquid soap.

Things You'll Need

• Solid glycerin soap base Liquid glycerin Potassium hydroxide (for liquid soap) Preservatives, such as carrot oil, vitamin E or grapeseed extract Your choice of fragrance oil Food coloring (optional) Flower petals (optional) Glitter (optional) Oatmeal (optional) Honey (optional) Molds Stainless steel bowl Microwavable bowl or stainless steel double boiler Whisk Spoon or plastic spatula Measuring cups Scale Food thermometer Protective shoes and clothing Goggles Rubber gloves Oven mitts or potholders Blender (for liquid soap)

Instructions

Making Bar Soap with Liquid Glycerin

1. Set your tools in a well-ventilated area and put on the protective clothing.

2. Place 1 cup water in the microwavable mixing bowl or in the double boiler and bring to a boil.

3. Add 1 pound of soap base, cover and continue heating. If you are using the microwave, heat for 1 minute at a time and stir thoroughly. In the double boiler, heat this mixture on low heat while constantly stirring.

4. Add 2 tsp. of liquid glycerin and continue heating and stirring until the temperature reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Add extras such as oatmeal, flower petals or glitter to the soap mixture. You can brew some tea to add to your soap mixture. Add food coloring and fragrance oil to create your own designer color and scent. Oatmeal and honey make for a sweet-smelling and skin-softening organic soap.

6. Allow to cool for a few minutes before you pour into the molds.

7. It will take from 2 to 5 days for the soap to cool completely. You can speed this process by putting your soap in the fridge.

Making Liquid Soap with Liquid Glycerin

1. Insulate a microwavable bowl or a double boiler. This is important because potassium hydroxide will cause the container to get very hot.

2. Pour 1 cup of water and 3 oz. of potassium hydroxide in a microwavable bowl or double boiler.

3. Combine all the oils you will be using for your soap in a separate container and heat slowly until it reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Combine both mixtures together and allow to cool.

5. Set the mixture aside for one week, shaking daily to prevent the oils from separating.

6. After letting it set for one week, add 1/2 cup of liquid glycerin and any extras you want to use to make your soap. Don't forget the preservatives. They are very important with liquid soaps because they tend to spoil faster due to their moisture content.

7. Add 1/2 cup of liquid glycerin and blend the mixture once more in a blender while adding up to 6 cups of water until you get the desired consistency.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative and play with ingredients to create a "signature soap." Store your liquid soap in the fridge to keep it fresh longer.

• Melted soap is a very caustic substance; use all safety precautions while making your soap. Do not use aluminum tools. The ingredients used here react with aluminum.

Resources

• Information on Glycerin and its Use in Soaps
• Links on the Art of Soapmaking
• Detailed Information on How to Make Liquid Soap
• Comprehensive Information on Soapmaking