Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ingredients Of Handmade Soap

Most of us like to use handmade soap because of the presence of natural ingredients in it. The handmade soap ingredients are different from the processed soap. This handmade soap fact makes it popular. Handmade soap contains less amount of chemicals that can have an adverse effect on the skin. Hence, these soaps are high in natural ingredients which help in keeping the skin healthy and young.
Ingredients to make Soap
The main handmade soap ingredients are lye and water. Other than these main components, different additives are also required. Additives for adding fragrance is required. Also, for making the soap of a particular color, one can make use of coloring dye. Other than that, different oils are also required for making handmade soap. Avocado oil is used as it is rich in vitamin A, D and E and it also serves as a good moisturizer. Another oil which can be used is olive oil as it has hypoallergenic properties and is also a powerful antioxidant. Glycerin also forms an important part of soaps as it helps in making the skin smooth and soft.
Crafting Your very own Soap
The handmade soap making process is very easy. Take a look at how to make soap. In a container, add water and then carefully add lye to it. After adding lye, mix it well with water. The water and lye should be in a ratio of 1:3. After you add lye to the water, lots of heat and fume are emitted. Hence, take care of your safety. You can mix lye in water in an open place so that the fumes will not affect you much and the fumes will pass away easily in the open environment. Next, allow the mixture of lye and water to cool down. Let it cool properly for 3 to 4 hours. In a steel container, pour all the oils and let them mix thoroughly. Place this container on flame and allow all the oils to melt properly if they are in semi solid form. Boiling the oils will also help in mixing them properly. While boiling the temperature of the oils should reach around 130 degrees Fahrenheit. You can make use of a thermometer for measuring the temperature. Next, slowly and gently add the mixture of lye to the mixture of oils. While you are adding the mixture, also make sure to stir it with a spoon and a stick blender. After a few minutes, you will observed a change in the texture of the mixture. The mixture will appear to be opaque and more thick. This is nothing but soap in liquid form. Next for fragrance, you can add the required additive. After adding the additive, again stir the mixture. If you want the soap to be of a specific color, then you can add coloring dye to it. For the color of the soap to be even again stir after adding the coloring dye. After this you can place it in a mold and give the soap the desired shape.
How to Mold Soap
When the mixture is hot, pour it in the plastic molds and then allow it to cool. Allow the mixture to be in the soap molds for at least 24 hours. When the temperature of the soap has reduced to room temperature, you will observe that the mixture has condensed. But, you may observe that in spite of the mixture being condensed, it will be warm to touch. Next, remove the soap from the soap mold. If, you are not able to remove the soap from the soap mold, then place them in the freezer and remove them after a period of two to three hours. On the back side of the mold, use a blow dryer. This will dislodge the soap in a few seconds and the soap will come out. With this you are ready with the natural handmade soap.
Handmade soap ingredients consists of all natural elements which does not have an adverse effect on the skin. Hence, I think one should opt for handmade soaps rather than the processed ones.

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