You have plenty of options to choose from if you want to make your own soap, and most of them are healthier alternatives to what you can find in stores. Many recipes involve using things like coconut milk, shea butter and a variety of essential oils to produce a gentle and effective soap that can also nourish the skin. However, a lot of people don’t know that goat milk and honey contain nutrients that are ideal for skin care as well as for maintaining good hygiene.
The following recipe is very easy to make and takes just a couple of hours to complete, but you will need to allow for some time to let the soap cure before use. However, once the finished product is stored away, you will be able to enjoy a safe and gentle way to keep your skin nourished and microbe-free.
Ingredients:
10 ounces of olive oil
8 ounces of water
8 ounces of coconut oil
8 ounces of lard
4 ounces of lye
4 ounces of goat milk
4 ounces of almond oil (optional)
2 ounces of beeswax
1 tablespoon of bee honey
1 ounce of orange essential oil
Getting Started
The first step is to combine the goat milk with water and place it in a large steel bowl. Chill the bowl in the freezer for 1-2 hours and don’t worry if it starts to develop a slushy consistency. However, you don’t want the mixture to freeze.
Next, place the lard, coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and beeswax into a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the ingredients together until they melt into a liquid, but make sure that you don’t let the mixture boil. Remove from heat and let it cool until it reaches a temperature of about 100 degrees. Next, place the milk and water mixture over medium heat and stir in 1 ounce of the lye. Remove from heat once the mixture reaches about 100 degrees as well, and let it cool for about 20 minutes. Repeat the process three more times until you use all of the lye.
Processing the Ingredients
Prepare your molds as the ingredients are cooling by lining them with some parchment or wax paper. Combine the liquid fats and oils with the lye/water mixture once everything reaches about 100 degrees. However, don’t add in the essential oils or honey just yet. Mix the ingredients with a hand blender or mixer for about 2 minutes before letting it rest for 5 more minutes. Repeat 2-3 times, or until you end up with a creamy, uniform consistency. Next, add in the essential oils and honey and mix for another 30 seconds to a minute.
Curing the Soap
Carefully pour the soap into the lined molds, cover and line them with some parchment. Let them rest in a cool, dry place for 24 hours in order for the soap to solidify. However, you may need more or less time depending on the temperature and humidity levels in your home.
All you need to do now is remove the soap from the molds, cut and trim as necessary, and store the bars in a cool and dry place for 4-6 weeks to allow them to cure properly. When finished, you can wrap the soap in parchment, paper or place them in containers for long-term storage and use as needed.
Try this recipe for yourself, and feel free to experiment with different kinds of essential oils if you prefer. Chances are that you’ll be surprised at how well this soap can cleanse the skin while leaving it soft and moist at the same time.
