Making soap from scratch is the perfect mix of science and art. This exfoliating soap highlights both aspects and is great for beginners. To make the recipe as easy as possible, we created a thorough soapmaking kit that includes everything you need.
The Exfoliating Handmade Soap Kit includes ingredients, tools, printed instructions, and labels. From the oils and lye to safety gear and a stick blender, this kit includes it all. The kit also includes FREE SHIPPING to the lower 48 states.
Once you have the Exfoliating Handmade Soap Kit, you can purchase a refill kit to make the soap again. Or, if you’d like to make a new exfoliating soap, the Walnut Refill Kit includes a different exfoliant and fragrance oil.
Exfoliating Handmade Soap Kit
Ingredients:
33 oz. Lots of Lather Quick Mix
10.9 oz. Distilled Water*
4.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
2 tsp. Sodium Lactate
2.4 oz. Lychee Red Tea Fragrance Oil
1 Tbsp. Cranberry Seeds
Tools You’ll Need:
10” Silicone Loaf Mold
Mini Mixer
Pair of Goggles
Pair of Disposable Gloves
Stick Blender
2 Quart Glass Bowl
8 oz. Glass Measuring Cup
Easy Pour Container
Spatula
Whisk
Thermometer
Scale
Tablespoon*
Non-Serrated Knife*
Stainless Steel Spoon*
The * indicates items that are not included in the kit.
Find the supplies you need for this project below
- 33 oz. Lots of Lather Quick Mix
- 10.9 oz. Distilled Water
- 4.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 2 tsp. Sodium Lactate
- 2.4 oz. Fragrance Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Exfoliant
- Tap the stick blender on the bottom of the bowl to get rid of bubbles. Slowly and carefully add the lye solution to the oils. Pulse the stick blender on and off to begin blending the oils and lye together. Continue to pulse the stick blender for 15-20 seconds and use the stick blender to stir the mixture.
- Once you start blending, the mixture will begin to look creamy. After about 1 minute of blending and stirring, the oils and lye are combined and the soap will be the texture of thin pudding.
- Add the fragrance oil to the soap and use your whisk to combine thoroughly.
- At this point, the soap batter will have thickened slightly. Add 1 Tbsp. of exfoliant and whisk to combine.
- Once the exfoliant is thoroughly mixed in, slowly and carefully pour the soap into the silicone loaf mold.
- Tap the mold firmly on the counter to release bubbles.
- Cover and insulate soap to promote gel phase.
- Unmold and cut after 3-5 days. Cure for 4-6 weeks before using.
Can I use the liquid cashmere and cashmere fragrance in the place of the lychee red tea in this recipe?
You can definitely change the fragrance to Cashmere FO. Just keep in mind this will cause the soap to discolor to a light brown. We haven’t tried using Liquid Cashmere in cold process soap but I would try using it like and additive, adding it in at trace at about 1%. I would also recommend a small test batch to make sure you like the results.
Cashmere Fragrance Oil:https://www.brambleberry.com/Cashmere-Fragrance-Oil-P6958.aspx
Liquid Cashmere: https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Cashmere-P6949.aspx
will there be a beginner Soap Kit or a business in a box again?
The Natural Soap Kit for Beginners is great for getting started with cold process soap: https://www.brambleberry.com/Natural-Soap-Kit-for-Beginners-P6607.aspx
Find the rest of our kits offered here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kits-and-Samplers-C203.aspx
I’d like to make this soap and have all of the oils in the “Lots of Lather Quick Mix” and would rather not buy the mix but use my own oils. I just don’t know how much of each oil to use? Does it matter? I’m still a bit new to soap making. Thanks.
Find the specific percentages used in the Lots of Lather Quick Mix on its product page under the Guide PDF download.
Lots of Lather Quick Mix: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lots-of-Lather-Quick-Mix-P5524.aspx
Can I add a color to this and if so how much would be ok?
Yes, you can add color to this recipe. Pigments and micas work well. Mix 1 teaspoon of the color with 1 tablespoon of a lightweight liquid oil like sweet almond. Add 1 dispersed teaspoon at a time at trace until you get a color you like.
Pigments: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pigments-C45.aspx
Micas: https://www.brambleberry.com/Micas-C46.aspx
Learn more about working with colors here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/talk-it-out-tuesday-colorants/
I would like to know if I can use Lots of lather quick mix for a base for each soap using the same amount of fragrance and if I would like to add any kind of additive what amount would it be? If I want to add any kind of puree how much would be the percentage for this base?
You can use Lots of Lather Quick Mix for your recipes. The fragrance amount can vary though. Find out how much to add with the Fragrance Calculator: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
For additives, a good place to start is 1 teaspoon per pound of soap. For purees, it varies based on what you’re adding. This post talks more about how much to add: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-add-purees-to-cold-process-soap/
I have a question about the ‘gel’ phase. Is that a must for this recipe and if so, what is the purpose? Also, how do I cover the mold and with what/for how long? I’m a do-things-by-the-book kind of gal and since I’ve never gelled my bars I figured I’d ask 🙂 Thank you!
ALSO! If I want this bar to be more of a matte finish could I just put my mold in the fridge immediately after pouring to skip the gel phase?
ONE more question, could I swap out the fragrance for a tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil?
Gel phase is when the soap gets really hot and gelatinous. Some soapers prefer it because it makes the colors brighter and the bars slightly shiny. It is not necessary for your recipe though, you can not insulate the soap or put it in the fridge or freezer for 5-24 hours to prevent it.
Learn more about gel phase here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/gel-phase/
And more about when to insulate your soap here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/when-to-insulate-handmade-soap/
Also, you can use an essential oil in this recipe. Find out how much to add with our Fragrance Calculator: http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Tea tree essential oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tea-Tree-Essential-Oil-P3834.aspx
Eucalyptus essential oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Eucalyptus-Essential-Oil-P3818.aspx
With this recipe, is it possivle to blend it enough to have traces so you can have a more interesting top by creating peaks?
Absolutely. Prior to adding the exfoliant, stick blend the soap batter until you reach a thicker consistency. Then, whisk in the exfoliant. Another option is to pour the soap into the mold while still thin, then once it has hardened and thickened in the mold for a few minutes, use a spoon to create texture on top.
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Awesome! thank you!
So I made my first batch of cold process soap using this tutorial. But! I tried to improvise and made some changes. I addrd some Brazilian clay (from bramble berry) to 1/3 of the soap and used it for the bottom layer. I did mix 1 tsp of clay with 1 tbsp of water as suggested. My lye water was at 109 and oils were at 127 upon mixing. I got a trace within 2 minutes. I poured the soap in the mold, put it in a box, and covered it with blankets. Next day I noticed a tiny crack on the surface. While I understand why it is and since this is my first batch, not too worried. Though I was worried that due to large difference of temperatures and possible false trace, I might get a heavy lye soap. So, today I tried to take it out of the mold and do a zap test. While it passed the test (I still ordered some ph strips to make sure soap is within 9-10 and safe to use), it was really hard to get the soap out of the mold. There was even a tiny bit, like 1 tablespoon full) stuck to the bottom of the mold. Why did this happen?! I let it sit for at least 3 and a half day in the mold. Do I have to wait longer if I use clay? Though while washing the mold i used some of the soap and it felt fine, no burn and lathered good. Where did I go wrong?! Thank you!!
Because that soap didn’t zap, I think it will be just fine to use. The pH strips will let you know for sure.
When you poured the bottom layer, was it pretty thin? Sometimes pouring thin and the fact that it had extra water can make it more soft than the top layers. If that’s the case, it just needs to sit for a few more days to harden.
I don’t think your soap had false trace because that causes the batter to thicken as soon as the lye is added. Yours took a normal time to trace. The crack is probably heat related – when soap gets hot from being insulated it can do that. If you notice your soap getting hot or starting to crack, remove it to room temperature or even pop it in the fridge for a few hours to keep it cool.
Learn more about why soap cracks here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/why-did-my-soap-crack/
Thanks, Kelsey! I did leave the bottom layer a little runny, so that explains things! I should be more patient next time and given how humid it is here in Houston, it probably takes little longer to dry. I will try to pop my mold in the fridge for my next batch and try that way (getting a new shippment today! excited!!)
You’re welcome! Thanks for your order too. 🙂
I am new to soap making. Can you half a cold process recipe without messing up the calculations?
Yes, you can divide all the ingredients by 2 to halve the recipe. To be extra careful, you can run it through the Lye Calculator again just to make sure everything’s correct: https://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Lye-Calculator.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
As a student of yours and soaping 101, I always appreciate all soaping advice you offer and I’m always excited to see something new. I’ve been soaping for several years now thanks to the two of you. I must confess, though, that I like your older videos better where you are talking and explaining what you are doing and using different recipes other than the quick mixes. Please understand: NO HATE OR NEGATIVITY here, I just enjoy so much hearing your clear instructions, especially on complex designs!
Don’t worry, we will have more of those videos. We just like experimenting with different styles. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry