How to Make Soaps From Olive Oil Balm & Coconut

bars of rose soap in the basket image by Elena Moiseeva from Fotolia.com

Due to the harsh chemicals that commercial soaps contain, more people are turning to the old ways of making soap at home. By making your own soap, you can add ingredients that are needed for your particular skin problem. Natural soaps do not contain the harsh chemical sodium lauryl sulfate that causes soap to produce a rich lather. Lather is not needed to obtain clean skin. Olive oil is a cleansing agent that is rich in antioxidants, and coconut oil absorbs readily into skin, relieving dry, itchy skin, according to the Homemade beauty Recipes website.

Place all ingredients in the top of a double boiler. This includes 4 oz. liquid castile soap, 3 oz. beeswax, 1 tbsp. witch hazel, 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1 tbsp. coconut essential oil, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and 1/4 cup distilled water. In lieu of a double boiler, put the ingredients inside a sealed, durable plastic bowl and place it inside a large pot of simmering water.

wire whisk in wooden bowl image by Jarek Miarka from Fotolia.com

Remove the ingredients from the heat source once the beeswax has melted. As the ingredients cool, whip with a wire whisk for three minutes.

Pour the ingredients into your choice of soap molds. You can even use common kitchen items as soap molds.

Wait five hours for soap to harden and cure before using. Double, triple or increase the recipe to suit your needs. Essential oils of your choice may be added for particular skin needs.