Welcome to the world of handmade soap! Whether you’re a seasoned soap maker or just starting out, this simple DIY guide will walk you through creating your own beautiful harvest soap with an easy melt-and-pour base. Perfect for pampering yourself this fall or gifting to friends and family, this soap is packed with skin-loving ingredients that will leave your skin feeling soft & nourished!
Why Borage?
Borage is edible and known to be rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is a fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, making borage oil a fantastic addition to homemade skincare products. Overtime it reduces fine lines, improve elasticity, and increases the skin's natural barrier. Combined with an oatmeal base, this soap is not only soothing and gentle but also provides a luxurious lather that’s perfect for all skin types!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Melt and Pour Oatmeal Soap Base: This forms the foundation of your soap. It’s gentle, moisturizing, and provides a lovely creamy lather.
- Oil of Your Choice: I used borage oil, but pumpkin seed oil is a fantastic alternative, especially for a seasonal fall twist. Remember to use 1-2% of the total weight of the soap base. This ensures that you get the benefits of the oil without making the soap too oily or interfering with the soap’s ability to harden properly.
- Dried Flowers from Your Garden: Add a natural touch with dried flowers like borage, calendula, or lavender. These not only look beautiful but also infuse your soap with additional skin benefits.
- Fragrance of Your Choice: Oatmeal Milk and Honey is a great choice that complements the oatmeal melt and pour, but feel free to choose a scent that you love!
- Immersion Blender: (Optional) You could also use a spatula reserved for soap-making.
- Double Boiler: (Optional) You could also microwave in increments of 30 seconds in a bowl set aside for the purpose of soap-making.
- Silicone Molds: I chose the cow, buffalo, and skull for a Southwestern theme.
- Isopropyl Alcohol in a little spray bottle
Instructions:
Step 1: Melt the Soap Base
Start by cutting your melt and pour oatmeal soap base into small cubes for easier melting. Use a kitchen scale to approximate the oz to calculate the percentage of oil needed. Place the cubes in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, and gently heat until fully liquefied. Be sure not to overheat the base—low and slow is the key!
Step 2: Add Your Chosen Oil
Once the soap base is melted, it’s time to add your chosen oil. Whether you’re using borage oil for its anti-inflammatory benefits or opting for a seasonal oil like pumpkin seed, measure out 1-2% of the total weight of the soap base. This ensures the soap retains its hardness while providing the moisturizing benefits of the oil.
Step 3: Blend in Dried Flowers
Next, add a handful of dried flowers from your garden. Borage flowers, calendula, or lavender are excellent choices. These will not only look stunning in the finished soap but will also add a natural, gentle exfoliation. I used an immersion blender for this step although a spatula especially for soap-making works too!
Step 4: Mix in Your Fragrance
Add your fragrance oil to the mix. The amount will depend on your personal preference, but typically, 0.5-1 oz of fragrance per pound of soap base is a good starting point. For this recipe, I found Oatmeal Milk and Honey fragrance oil is a fantastic choice that complemented the nourishing qualities of the oatmeal base.
Step 5: Pour into Molds
Prepare your silicone molds by spraying isopropanol alcohol. Carefully pour the soap mixture into your molds. You can lightly tap the molds on the counter to release any air bubbles, ensuring a smooth finish. Spray alcohol again after poured to help pop all the bubbles.
Step 6: Let it Set
Allow the soap to cool and harden in the molds for 24-48 hours. Once fully set, gently pop the soap out of the molds.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Handmade Soap!
Your wild harvest soap is now ready to use! Store the bars in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to pamper your skin or share them as gifts.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Soap:
Kaolin Clay: Adding 1-2 teaspoons of kaolin clay to your soap mix can help anchor the fragrance, ensuring it lasts longer, and adds a silky feel to the soap.
Customization: Feel free to experiment with different oils, dried flowers, and fragrances to create a soap that’s uniquely yours. The possibilities are endless!
Why You’ll Love This Soap:
I don't trust the laundry list of ingredients in store-bought soap and I wanted a better alternative for myself and my family. The combination of nourishing oils, exfoliating oatmeal, and comforting milk and honey fragrance makes this a treat. Plus, the addition of dried flowers and kaolin clay ensures that every bar is not only beautiful but also effective in caring for your skin.
Happy soap-making!