Beginner Level: Hemp Aromatherapy Soaps

 

Indulge yourself with Hemp Oil glycerin soaps. If you have never used Hemp soap base, we guarantee you will become addicted to its luxurious, all natural qualities. Our project sheet gives you instructions for making (6) different aromatherapy soaps. We have included the use of sea kelp (contains iodine, iron, sodium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as magnesium and potassium. A terrific source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E, plus amino acids). French green clay (a great all-natural skin toner for all skin types), and Oats for a delightful facial/body scrub.

 

Here's what you need:

 

Hemp Glycerine Soap Base. Purchase from www.GoPlanetEarth.com.

White (opaque) Glycerine Soap Base (only needed if you want to do dual-pours)

Essential Oils: we used Lavender, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Tea Tree

Fragrance Oils: we used Green Tea, Cucumber, Avocado. We purchased our fragrance oils here.

Assorted botanicals such as sea kelp, green clay, ground oats, adzuki powder

Soap Colorants. You will want to use non-fading colors. The liquid gel colors from GoPlanetEarth are exceptional.

Mold Market Molds . Why do we recommend these molds? Because they are some of the best molds on the market. Great designs, durable, and for use with all kinds of soap making.

Shrink Bags or clear plastic wrap

 

 

GETTING STARTED

 

Step One

Place soap base into a aluminum melting pot or double boiler. Heat soap until completely melted. Do not exceed a temperature of 140 degrees. You may wish to use a thermometer to gauge melting temperature. Or, cube the soap and melt in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. If using the microwave method, heat the soap in short bursts. You don't want to overheat.

Step Two

Add liquid gel colorant once soap base has completely melted. We used green colorant for the Sea Kelp & Green Tea soap (also for the Cucumber/Avocado with Green Clay), orange color for the Bergamot/Citrus soap, yellow for the Lemongrass/Grapefruit soap, and brown for the Oats/Tea Tree soap.

Step Three

You may incorporate natural additives into your soap base. Try adding 1 teaspoon sea kelp powder per pound of soap base. Other additives include stone ground oats (we added 3 Tablespoons per pound of soap base), and also French green clay (approximately 1 teaspoon per pound of soap base). When using herbal additives, allow your soap base to cool until a thin skim forms. Stir the soap skim back into the base before pouring into your molds. It is important that you allow this skim to form. Herbal additives will tend to settle once the soap is poured into the molds. Allowing your soap base to slightly cool before pouring will help to disperse the additives within your soap base.

Step Four

Fragrance should be added once your soap has melted and slightly cooled. Your fragrance and/or essential oils will 'burn-off' if you add at too high of a temperature. Mix fragrance thoroughly but avoid over-stirring. If you create any air bubbles in your soap base while stirring, spritz with rubbing alcohol. Don't worry, the smell will dissipate in just a few seconds.

Step Five

You are now ready to pour your soap into the molds. Be certain that your molds are level. Balancing the molds on the edges of cereal bowls will help to keep unevenly shaped molds level.

Step Six

Keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol handy to disperse any air bubbles that may form on the back of the soap once it is poured into the molds.

 

Fragrance Tips:

If using GoPlanetEarth fragrance oils, we suggest using 2 to 3 teaspoons per pound of soap base. Essential oils vary. We recommend using no more than 2 teaspoon per pound of soap when using essential oils.

Releasing Soap from Molds:

For best results, allow soap to sit in molds until completely cool. Release soaps from mold by applying gentle pressure to top of mold. You may need to pull slightly on sides of mold to release air. Be careful not to force soap from mold. Permanent damage to the molds can occur if you exert too much pressure.

Natural Recycled Packaging:

Recycle portions of a corrugated cardboard box. Using an Exacto knife, cut a piece of cardboard to fit behind the soap (you should allow the edges of cardboard to extend slightly beyond the soap). In the above photo, we rested our finished soap on dried bay leaves and then used shrink wrap (our 8 x 10" size, cut to size) to complete the packaging. A hole punch was used to make two round openings for the natural raffia bow.

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