Hand-milling can be accomplished on a stovetop (double boiler), in a microwave, or in a slow cooker. There are many great videos out there on how to do this method of soap making but I prefer the slow cooker method. I have included a recipe below as a guide for you to try with some photos of the process.
Rose Petal Soap
Ingredients:
1000gr of hand-milled soap base
2 tablespoons of french pink clay
20ml Apricot Oil (Optional)
30ml of rose fragrance/essential oil
Half a cup of rose petals
Soap mold
Method:
Place 500 grams shredded soap and 60 ml of water into your slow cooker and set it to the low. You do not want to use the high setting as you do not want to burn the soap.
Allow the soap to heat up and soften. Stir every now and then to prevent burning on the sides of the pot. After a short while, the soap will begin to condense into a very thick paste. Add the remaining 500 grams of the rebatch soap, stir through and allow to melt.
As the soap continues to cook, it will become softer. Keep stirring every few minutes. Eventually the soap will take on the texture of mashed potatoes. The soap is fully melted when all the small pieces of rebatch soap are melted and incorporated.
Once the soap is melted, turn off your slow cooker and now we are ready to add our additives.
To make sure there is no lumps in the pink clay I put 2 tablespoons of water into a small bowl and then sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of clay on top of the water. Allow the water to absorb the clay.
Once the water has absorbed the clay, add the clay to the slow cooker along with your apricot oil (optional), fragrance oil and rose petals.
Stir gently to combine.
Quickly transfer the soap into your molds. Tap the mold firmly on the counter to help settle the soap into the molds.
Allow the soap to fully cool and harden for 24 hours. If the mold pulls away easily from the soap, it’s ready to unmold. If not, let it harden for another day.
Unmold and cut into bars. Allow the bars to cure for about 2 weeks as this will ensure any extra moisture evaporates out of the soap, creating a harder and longer-lasting bar.
Enjoy!
Tips and tricks:
You can make the recipe your own. Just make sure that you use skin safe additives and oils.
For example: Replace the clay and rose oil to parsley for a green color and peppermint oil for the fragrance.
If adding essential/fragrance oils, a good ratio to use is 3-5%. This means that you can use approximately 30-50 mLs of oil to 1 kg of soap base depending on your desired scent throw.
Silicone molds are great for these types of soaps. You can also search your local op shop for some really unique ones too.
Cleaned out butter containers and milk cartons work a treat as well.
About some of the key ingredients in this soap:
~Goats Milk has a pH similar to that of human skin, making it easy for your skin to absorb all the goodness. It is loaded with vitamins like B2, B3, B6, B12 and A (arguably one of the best vitamins for your skin), as well as minerals like selenium. The lactic acid present in goat milk is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). There is a lot about the benefits of AHA’s in terms of their ability to exfoliate and regenerate the skin, brighten skin tone as well as regulate sebum production.
~Olive oil is packed with healthy vitamins, fats, and antioxidants, and these components can contribute to healthier-looking skin. It moisturizes skin by locking in moisture, and its antioxidants can help to improve signs of aging.
~Coconut Oil reduces dryness by locking in moisture. It also removes impurities and helps soothes skin irritated skin.
~Cocoa Butter is a natural beauty product that has many benefits to your skin. It can be used all over the body and has been shown to help with stretch marks, wrinkles, dry spots, eczema, dermatitis, sunburns and more.
~Shea Butter doesn’t clog pores and is quickly absorbed into the skin for deeper conditioning. It’s also rich in vitamins and fatty acids that nourish your skin from inside. These nutrients help in cell regeneration to make the skin soft and supple.
~White Clay gently absorbs impurities and any excess lipid from the skin. It naturally tightens the pores thanks to its naturally smoothing and tightening effect. It promotes cell renewal and brightens the complexion.
Moonlight Soaps are lovingly handcrafted from the finest quality ingredients and are especially formulated to gently cleanse, nourish and hydrate the skin. Our recipes are formulated to create a rich and creamy lather that is the ultimate indulgence for you and your loved ones.
Full of moisturizing, skin soothing ingredients our soaps are suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.
All of our products contain:
NO palm oil
NO parabens
NO petro chemicals
NO SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate)
NOT tested on animals
NO harsh detergents, stabilisers and preservatives
