How to Make Homemade Soap With Raw Glycerin

Make colorful soaps at home that are good for your skin.

Glycerin is a natural by-product of the soap-making process, according to the Pioneer Thinking website. This humectant product naturally attracts moisture to the body, making it a popular ingredient in moisturizing body care products such as lotion. In fact, commercial soap makers often remove glycerin from their soap in order to use it in lotion or other products. Homemade soaps are often made with glycerin for its increased moisturizing ability. Glycerin soap bases and soap kits can be purchased at many hobby shops or craft supply stores.

Things You'll Need

• 2-3 c. of glycerin soap base
• Double boiler
• Stove
• Large mixing bowl
• 1 oz. castor oil
• 1 oz. shea butter
• 2 oz. ground oatmeal
• 1 tsp. beeswax
• 7-10 drops of fragrance essential oil
• 1-2 drops of food coloring
• Wooden spoon
• Soap molds
• Knife
• Plastic wrap or air tight container

Instructions

1. Melt glycerin soap base in a double boiler over low heat. When the glycerin is completely melted, pour it into a large mixing bowl.

2. Slowly add in castor oil, shea butter, oatmeal, beeswax, fragrance oil and food coloring to the mixing bowl. Use the wooden spoon to stir all the ingredients together.

3. Pour the combined mixture into soap molds. Place the filled molds in a dry area. Allow them to dry overnight.

4. Remove dried soap from the molds. Use a knife to cut off any rough or jagged edges.

5. Store the finished soap in an air-tight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. If the soap is left out when not in use, it may attract moisture, causing it to become slimy.

Tips & Warnings

• The Happy Living website recommends using sweet orange oil or lavender oil to fragrance homemade glycerin soap.

• Choose a food coloring similar to the chosen fragrance oil, such as purple for lavender and orange for sweet orange.

• Each ingredient serves a specific purpose to create a well-made soap that is also good for the skin. Castor oil helps the soap lather. Shea butter moisturizes the skin. Beeswax works a preservative to make the soap last longer. Oatmeal nourishes skin and acts as a natural exfoliant agent, helping remove dry skin as you bathe.

• Do not attempt to melt glycerin in a microwave or in a single pot because it may burn or splatter.

• Do not use more than two drops of food coloring because excessive amounts may dye the skin.

References

• Happy Living Magazine: How To Make Homemade Glycerin Soap
• eAudrey: Glycerin Soap Recipes
• Martha Stewart: Homemade Glycerin Soaps
• Pioneer Thinking: What Is Glycerin?