How to Make Organic Shea Butter Soap

Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the Shea-Karite tree, found only in the African tropics. It has been used in that part of the world for centuries, touted for its ultra-moisturizing and healing properties. Shea butter can be found in soaps, lotions, creams and in its 100 percent pure form. Try this recipe for homemade shea butter soap--made with other moisturizing ingredients such as castile (olive oil) soap and almond oil--for super soft skin.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• Grater
• Organic castile soap
• 2 tbsp. organic shea butter
• 1 tsp. finely ground almonds
• 1 tsp. organic almond oil
• Soap molds
• Baker's rack
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler halfway with tap water. Place it on the stove top and heat on low.

2. Grate your castile soap until you have 2 cups. Put the grated soap into the top pot of your double boiler and pour 1/2 cup of distilled water over it. Place the top pot on the bottom pot. Turn the heat up to medium high.

3. Stir the soap mixture until it is completely melted (soap will appear stringy when lifted with a spoon). Remove it from the stove top.

4. 

   Add 2 tbsp. of organic shea butter, 1 tsp. of finely ground almonds and 1 tsp. of organic almond oil to the melted soap. Gently stir until it is thoroughly blended.

5. Pour the soap mixture into your soap molds and allow them to harden for several hours. When they have set, pop the soaps out of the molds.

6. 

   Place the soaps on a baker's rack and let them set for three weeks. Turn the soaps on a daily basis to prevent them from losing their shape.

7. If you do not plan to use your soaps right away, wrap them in plastic wrap to keep them fresh.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have latex allergies, do not use shea butter. Do not allow your soap to reach a boiling point--this will diminish the quality of the soap.

Resources

• DIY shea butter soap
• Benefits of shea butter