Cold Process Facial Soap Recipe
This fragrance-free, nourishing face bar soap is perfect for many skin types. Bentonite clay and rosehip oil add extra cleansing and rejuvenating properties, making it a must-try for your skincare routine.
Servings: 8 bars
Equipment
- Small saucepan or double boiler
- Heat-resistant glass jar or container
- Immersion blender/stick blender
- Protective gear (gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirt)
- Vinegar (for neutralizing lye, in case of spills)
Ingredients
- 10 oz shea butter
- 2 oz almond oil
- 2 oz castor oil
- 1 oz of argan oil
- 1 oz of coconut oil
- 0.25 oz rosehip oil
- ½ tsp bentonite clay
- 6.18 oz water
- 2.06 oz lye
Instructions
- Work in a well-ventilated area away from pets and kids. Wear gloves, goggles, long sleeves, and a mask.
- Prep bentonite clay by dissolving 1/2 a teaspoon of clay in 1.5 tablespoons of water and set aside until step 6.
- In a heat-resistant container, slowly add the lye to the 6.18 oz of water. Carefully stir until dissolved. Set it aside in a safe area to cool. Note: the water will rapidly heat up to over 200°F.
- Melt the oils and butter in a double boiler. Then, allow them to cool to around 110°F. (Ideally, the lye water mixture will be within 10° of the oil temperature)
- Add the lye water to the melted oils a little at a time and mix with an immersion blender until it comes to a light trace.
- Add the bentonite clay mixture and continue mixing until it reaches a medium trace.
- Transfer to soap molds.
- Allow the bars to harden for 3 days in the molds. Then, pop them out and lay them on their ends for 6 weeks to cure.
Notes
For visual reference, refer to the step-by-step images in the post. I've also included a video of me making this recipe in the recipe card!
This facial soap recipe uses a 5% superfat. You can add fragrance to this recipe at 3% of the recipe weight. For any additional variations, you will want to use a soap calculator.
Note: Always add lye to water slowly, while stirring constantly. Lye can cause severe skin and eye burns. Wear gloves, goggles, and long sleeves whenever handling lye.