How to Make Rosemary Soap

Rosemary and lavender are two ingredients you can use to pamper yourself. Not only is rosemary antiseptic, it also helps tone and moisturize your skin. Lavender helps people relax, relieving nervous tension and aiding in sound sleep. Try this easy recipe for homemade rosemary-lavender soap and give yourself the best bath of your life, or wrap it up and give it to a close friend.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• Sharp knife
• 3 cups white glycerin soap base, chopped
• Lavender colored soap dye
• 1 1/2 tsp. essential oil of lavender
• 1 1/2 tsp. essential oil of rosemary
• 1 tbsp. ground rosemary
• 1 tbsp. ground lavender buds
• Soap molds
• Drying rack
• Plastic wrap

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler halfway with water. Place it on the stove top and turn the heat up to a low simmer. While the water warms up, you can prepare the soap base.

2. Place the white glycerin soap base on your counter and chop up enough small pieces to fill 3 cups. Place the chopped pieces in the top pot of your double boiler, and place the top pot on on the bottom pot, allowing the glycerin pieces to slowly melt. Stir only occasionally, and gently; stirring too often or too fast will create bubbles in your soap.

3. 

   Remove the soap base from the heat when it is almost completely melted. Stirring gently, add your lavender soap dye a few drops at a time until the desired color is achieved.

4. Slowly stir in 1 1/2 tsp. of essential oil of lavender, 1 1/2 tsp. of essential oil of rosemary, 1 tbsp. of ground rosemary and 1 tbsp. of ground lavender buds. Blend the mixture thoroughly and evenly.

5. Pour the soap into your soap molds and allow them to harden for 24 hours. When the soaps are set, pop them out of the molds and place them on a drying rack. Allow them to cure for 3 weeks, turning them daily to prevent warping.

6. Wrap the soaps in plastic when they are ready to preserve freshness.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find everything you need for soap making at your local craft store on the Internet.

• Do not allow your soap to reach a boiling point. This will destroy the quality of the glycerin. Only use dyes and oils that are made for soap. Other dyes or oils could cause an allergic reaction.

Resources

• Homemade Rosemary-Lavender Soap
• Making Your Own Rosemary Soap: Step By Step With Picture Demos
• Homemade Rosemary-Dill Soap