Sunday, May 3, 2009

Homemade soap


This is the second batch of homemade soap. The first batch turned out wonderfully but I gave most of it away in my excitement. I have the kind of skin that suffers from dermatitis if I buy the wrong kind of soap. I even buy baby soap and baby laundry soap to avoid it. No whiteners, brighteners, fabric softeners or spring time freshness for me. Right now my skin is wonderfully soft and supple and doesn't seem to require lotion to stay that way except for my hands because I am using up the last of the store-bought, liquid hand soap. I cannot believe what a difference there is even between the homemade soap and the Johnson's Baby Wash. We are still in the experimental stage of trying different recipes although, I definitely have at least one keeper, a complexion bar. The soaps are made with with a variety of oils including olive, palm, shea, macadamia and coconut oil.

This is the natural state of soap without colorants. I do put fragrance and essential oil in the soap because I think it is part of the soap experience and it hasn't bothered my skin.



I also love the different soap molds but they are a lot more work than a simple bar.
The only downside is that there is no instant gratification to soap making! After it's made, you have to wait for all the lye and oils to saponify and that can take at least 3 weeks. Hence, the soap supply. I don't want to run out because I can't go back.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always wanted to make soap! These are beautiful! :) xox

Homebody at Heart said...

Thanks! I just love everything about making soap except the waiting.

valeria said...

Really, you made this beautiful soaps!? They look fantastic! Is it difficult to make them at home?
Complimenti for your blog, it's so lovely. Glad to have "met" you and thank you for visiting my blog.
Ciao and have a nice day!
Valeria

Homebody at Heart said...

Yes, I made them with my sister and, no it isn't difficult to make at home but I did take a lesson from someone. The molds make the soap pretty but really, it is the soap itself that is the true treasure. It was nice to meet you, too, and I love your beautiful photos of Verona. I'm starting to fall in love with Fiat cars because of your blog. Grazie e buona giornata!