Chamomile is one of my favorite herbs to incorporate in bath and beauty products. It smells amazing, looks appealing and is known for its soothing properties. For these Chamomile Oat Bars, I added chamomile extract to Stephenson Oatmeal and Shea Melt and Pour to create a super luxurious bar. Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil gives a fresh and relaxing scent.
To embed the chamomile herbs into the bar, I placed the herbs into each cavity and covered them with a thin layer of Stephenson Ultra Clear Soap Base. This base is incredibly clear, which makes it perfect for embedding and layering. The chamomile herb does bleed in the soap slightly and may increase over time. I think they still look beautiful, even with bleeding. They can also discolor brown over time.
What You’ll Need:
Two Broad Rectangle Heavy Duty Molds
32 oz. Stephenson Oatmeal and Shea Melt and Pour
10 oz. Stephenson Ultra Clear Soap Base
1 oz. Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil
.5 oz. Chamomile Extract
Chamomile Herb, Egyptian
99% Isopropyl Alcohol in 8 oz. Spray Bottle
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ONE: Place a pinch of the dried chamomile herb into each mold cavity. Feel free to add as much as you’d like.
TWO: Chop and melt 10 ounces of the Stephenson Ultra Clear Melt and Pour Base in the microwave using 15-20 second bursts. Once melted, pour a small amount of the soap into each cavity. Pour just enough to cover the chamomile herbs. After each pour, spritz each cavity with alcohol to help disperse bubbles. Set aside to cool and harden.
THREE: Chop and melt 32 ounces (the entire package) of the Stephenson Oatmeal and Shea Melt and Pour Base in the microwave using 30 second bursts. Once completely melted, add 1 ounce of the Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil and use a spoon or spatula to completely stir in. Then, stir in .5 ounce of chamomile extract.
FOUR: Allow the soap to cool to 125 ° F or below so it doesn’t melt the bottom layer. Spritz each cavity lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol so they layers adhere and pour the melted soap into each cavity until full.
FIVE: Immediately spritz each bar with alcohol to get rid of bubbles. Allow to fully cool and harden. Once you’re ready to unmold, pull gently on the sides of the mold cavities to break the airlock. Then, flip the mold over and press on the back of each cavity with the palm of your hand until the soap slides out. Wrap in plastic wrap to help prevent glycerin dew. Learn more about storing handmade products here.
Click to View the Recipe
- Two Broad Rectangle Heavy Duty Molds
- 32 oz. Stephenson Oatmeal and Shea Melt and Pour
- 10 oz. Stephenson Ultra Clear Soap Base
- 1 oz. Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil
- .5 oz. Chamomile Extract
- Chamomile Herb, Egyptian
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol in 8 oz. Spray Bottle
- Place a pinch of the dried chamomile herb into each mold cavity. Feel free to add as much as you’d like.
- Chop and melt 10 ounces of the Stephenson Ultra Clear Melt and Pour Base in the microwave using 15-20 second bursts. Once melted, pour a small amount of the soap into each cavity. Pour just enough to cover the chamomile herbs. After each pour, spritz each cavity with alcohol to help disperse bubbles. Set aside to cool and harden.
- Chop and melt 32 ounces (the entire package) of the Stephenson Oatmeal and Shea Melt and Pour Base in the microwave using 30 second bursts. Once completely melted, add 1 ounce of the Chamomile Bergamot Fragrance Oil and use a spoon or spatula to completely stir in. Then, stir in .5 ounces of chamomile extract.
- Allow the soap to cool to 125 ° F or below so it doesn't melt the bottom layer. Spritz each cavity lightly with 99% isopropyl alcohol so they layers adhere and pour the melted soap into each cavity until full.
- Immediately spritz each bar with alcohol to get rid of bubbles. Allow to fully cool and harden. Once you're ready to unmold, pull gently on the sides of the mold cavities to break the airlock. Then, flip the mold over and press on the back of each cavity with the palm of your hand until the soap slides out. Wrap in plastic wrap to help prevent glycerin dew.
I made this soap with a few modifications to use up some supplies that I had on hand. I used lavender buds, cucumber extract , and lavender chamomile fragrance. The soaps turned out beautifully, but it was a humid night and my lavender buds turned from the nice green color to brown by morning. It was my first time layering soap and it worked very well! Now I am ready to try other projects! I love the size of these rectangle bars and overall I am very happy with the soap!!! I really enjoy doing these projects. Thank you!!
You’re welcome, glad the soap turned out well. Also, the lavender buds turning brown is normal. The bars are just fine to use – they’re going to feel great on the skin.
This soap is so pretty and I thought it could look cool if the whole soap was clear and the chamomile was suspended throughout. Is there a way to modify this recipe to achieve that? Thanks so much!
Yes you can use all clear soap, just replace the white with the same amount of clear. For the chamomile, start with a pinch and add more until you like the way it looks.
I would love to make this, but I only have a silicon loaf mold! What would be the best way to cut it in to bars without ruining the beautiful chamomile herbs? Thank you for your advice 🙂
Once your soap is out of the mold, place the chamomile side on the cutting surface and cut from the bottom down. You may still cut a few herbs, but it will help prevent drag marks.
Can I use cucumber extract in place of the chamomile extract? How long before the chamomile or lavender buds ( I have a lot of those on hand ) turn brown? This is my first attempt using the dried buds in soap and it looks beautiful. I am excited to try it.
Thank You.
You can use cucumber extract, that will work nicely. You can use the same amount as the chamomile. As for the herbs it depends on factors like humidity, the herbs themselves, etc. They usually turn brown within a couple days or up to a week.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Cucumber Extract: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cucumber-Extract-P6362.aspx
Great recipe, thank you! I really enjoy your website as well. I love handsoaps, however, I would like to avoid handling lye so I will try the melt and pour technique for the first time this week. However, every time I search for a melt and pour recipe online, I come across colorful, candy like soaps which I do not like at all. How do I find recipes for good old rustic soaps?
Thank you Kim, glad you’re enjoying the blog! We have some rustic-looking melt and pour tutorials you may like. I’ll link those below. 🙂
Pumice and Poppy Melt and Pour Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/scrubby-pumice-poppy-melt-pour-bars/
Star Anise Melt and Pour Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/star-anise-melt-pour-bar-tutorial/
Pumpkin Pie Melt and Pour Soap: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/pumpkin-pie-melt-and-pour-soap/
Lavender Goat Milk Melt and Pour: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/lavender-goat-milk-melt-and-pour-bars/
Rustic Desert Melt and Pour Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/rustic-desert-melt-pour-bars/
You can find more fun tutorials in our melt and pour section: https://www.soapqueen.com/category/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made this with dried lavender buds and swapped fragrance. I also added tiny bit or orchid mica in both for a beautiful purple shade! I love this recipe! Thanks SoapQueen!!
That sounds beautiful! I love Orchid Mica. 🙂
Lavender buds: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lavender-Grade-1-P4018.aspx
Orchid Mica: https://www.brambleberry.com/Orchid-Mica-P6344.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I tweaked these: used Roman chamomile, lemon and bergamot EO’s, with the latter two going into the goatsmilk base I had from BB. I also added 1 1/2 tsp of finely ground oats dispersed in a bit of alcohol to the goatsmilk base. Oh how I LOVE Roman chamomile! I could bathe in it. I am reluctant to try the FO in the recipe, because if it’s like most other FO’s I have tried, I find there is always something just off putting about them. But, dang, is Roman chamomile expensive!!! If someone could make comment on the FO relative to the EO, I am all ears ( or eyes as far as posts go!)
I am re-voicing my request to this website to PLEASE put a “back to top” button for ease of review. Some threads get so long and it simplifies research and comments a ton!
Thanks again guys, I love your site, and rave to others about your business model. Truly brilliant!
You’re welcome Verica! The oats sound like an awesome addition to the recipe. Also, thank you so much for your “Back to Top” button suggestion. I passed that along to our blog designer. 🙂
As far as chamomile fragrances, I think Chamomile Cybilla Fragrance Oil is the closest match to the essential oil! I find the essential oil a bit more sharp/strong, but this one is a pretty close match: https://www.brambleberry.com/Chamomile-Cybilla-Fragrance-Oil-P3363.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Once this turns brown, are they still safe to use?
The soap is still safe to use after the chamomile turns brown! The browning is mostly aesthetic and the soap will still feel really nice. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, your soap looks brill. I can’t wait to try it. I wanted to know, can I make it with dried Chamomile – from Tea Bags? That’s the only ones I’ve got (and I really want to make the soap)!Thanks.
Thank you Charu, glad you like the soap! You can definitely use the tea in this recipe. I would recommend sprinkling a small amount in the bottom of the cavity like we did with the herbs. Also, like the herbs, it will eventually turn brown, which is something to keep in mind. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What kind of flowers/plants actually don’t turn brown in the soap?
Thank you!
Hi Leah!
All flowers and plants will turn brown in soap. That is normal with natural products like chamomile! If you aren’t a fan of the discoloration, you can leave them out of this recipe. The soap will still look great without the chamomile. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Calendula stays yellow. Also has great skin calming properties.
I love the way calendula looks in soap! 🙂
Calendula: https://www.brambleberry.com/Marigold-Calendula-Dried-P4017.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I just wanted to comment. I realize I am probably in the minority on the subject of botanical additives. But, I absolutely HATE them! They are, all too often, irritating to the skin (scratchy) and then I have to wipe the tub of limp, usually brown bits and pieces.
The same goes for adding glitter to soaps.
They all look just beautiful. I love to buy soaps from local soap artists and supporting home businesses. But, I never buy any that are as shown above.
You can definitely leave the chamomile out of this recipe if you like! The bars will still look really nice without it. That’s what’s so awesome about making your own products – you can choose what to add and what to leave out. I love the ability to customize. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
You aren’t in the minority Leslie! Dried herbs (except calendula and safflower) go brown in soap because the water content in the soap rehydrates them, and turns them mouldy. Definitely not adviseable for use on skin in my opinion.
Feel free to leave the chamomile out of this recipe! The ability to choose what ingredients go into your recipe is one of the best things about making your own products. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can i use dried roses ??
And the lavender ??
And thanks:)
You can! Both of those would look really pretty. Like the chamomile, they will go brown eventually. That’s something to keep in mind!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Rose petals: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rose-Petals-P4020.aspx
Lavender buds: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lavender-Grade-1-P4018.aspx
Does this provide a kind of exfoliating scrubby situation?
Hi Hanako!
The chamomile herbs may offer a bit of exfoliation, but it will be very soft. They’re added mostly for decoration! If you want to add some scrubbiness to your bars, you can add something like jojoba beads or coffee grounds! Read more about exfoliant options and how to add them here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Could this work just as easily with rosemary, and switching the fragrance as well?
Hi Stacey!
Absolutely! Dried rosemary would look really nice in the soap. Like the chamomile, it will eventually turn brown. You can also add any skin-safe fragrance or essential oil you like to this recipe! 🙂
You can use the Fragrance Calculator to find out how much scent to add to your soap: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can I make this recipe using chamomile petals? I have everything else, so this would be fun to do this afternoon. Thanks!
You can! I would recommend using dried chamomile petals. They should last a bit longer in the soap before turning brown. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Mine are dried from Brambleberry! Thanks so much!
You’re welcome!