Creating foaming liquid soap at home is easier than you think. The process involves mixing Liquid Soap Concentrate Base and distilled water. It’s customized with color and fragrance, then poured into Foaming Pump Bottles. It’s a fun alternative to bar soap, and it looks great next to the sink.

The supplies you need to get started are included in the Foaming Liquid Soap Kit – all you need to provide is distilled water and a few basic tools. The kit also includes printed instructions and labels. Click here to get the kit.

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This soap is scented with Coastal Rain Fragrance Oil, which has notes of lemon, white tea, sea salt, and musk. The color comes from Brilliant Blue LabColor. It’s a water-based colorant that’s easy to incorporate. Add just a few drops of LabColor for a light hue, or up to 2 mL for a highly saturated color.

What You Need:
*All items (except distilled water) included in the Foaming Liquid Soap Kit
5 Foaming Pump Bottles
8 oz. Liquid Soap Concentrate Base
37 oz. Distilled Water
8 mL Coastal Rain Fragrance Oil
Spray Bottle with Isopropyl Alcohol
Up to 2 mL Brilliant Blue LabColor
0.5 oz. Optiphen ND
2 Droppers

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Foaming Liquid Soap DIY & Kit

Course Liquid Soap

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 5 bottles

Author Bramble Berry

Ingredients

• 5 Foaming Pump Bottles
• 8 oz. Liquid Soap Concentrate Base
• 37 oz. Distilled Water
• 8 mL Coastal Rain Fragrance Oil
• Spray Bottle with Isopropyl Alcohol
• Up to 2 mL Brilliant Blue LabColor
• 0.5 oz. Optiphen ND
• 2 Droppers

Instructions

• Pour all the liquid soap concentrate base into the large heat-proof bowl and microwave on 30-second bursts it until it’s about 140F. Using a dropper, add 8 mL of fragrance oil. Stir until the base turns clear, periodically spritzing with alcohol to pop any bubbles. If the soap isn’t clear after a few minutes, microwave on 10-second bursts and stir until it is.
• Place the large bowl on a scale, weigh out 37 oz. of distilled water, and mix. Spritz with alcohol. Add all of the Optiphen ND. Using a dropper, add drops of blue colorant up to 2 mL until you get a shade you like. Stir to fully incorporate.
• Using a funnel, carefully pour the soap into the foaming pump bottles, leaving a ¼” of space at the top. Let sit for an hour without caps to cool. Screw the caps on and enjoy.

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Leave your skin feeling smooth with this Charcoal and Clay Face Scrub. Made with a liquid soap base, it has a gentle lather. Additional tamanu oil and hazelnut oil are added because of their amazing skin benefits. In particular, they are great for oily skin types. If you prefer different oil for your skin, feel free to swap them out. Just keep in mind it may change the consistency a bit!

The Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base is made exclusively from olive oil, resulting in a very mild soap. It has a light lather and gentle cleansing properties so it’s suitable for delicate facial skin. If you have extremely dry skin, this recipe may not be the best as it contains kaolin clay and charcoal, which may be drying. Decreasing the amount of kaolin clay and charcoal may help make it suitable for dry skin types; a small test batch may help you find the right ratio for you.

Medium sized jojoba beads give this scrub a gentle amount of exfoliation. Jojoba beads are great for the face because they are round and won’t scratch delicate face skin. The amount of scrub in this recipe is light; if you prefer more exfoliation feel free to add more jojoba beads. Don’t get jojoba beads confused with micro-beads – they are quite different! Learn about the difference here.

What You’ll Need:
Six 4 oz. Jars
10 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
6 oz. Hazelnut Oil
0.5 oz. Tamanu Oil
11 oz. Kaolin Clay
4 oz. White Jojoba Beads – Medium
0.3 oz. Activated Charcoal
3 mL Tea Tree Essential Oil
0.1 oz. Optiphen
Dropper
Optional: Charcoal Soap & Scrub Label Template -Free PDF

Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!

ONE: In a large mixing bowl, add the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, hazelnut and tamanu oil. Stir until completely combined. The mixture will take on a milky appearance.

TWO: Add the tea tree essential oil and Optiphen. Stir in completely.
NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.

THREE: In a separate container, whisk together the kaolin clay, activated charcoal and jojoba beads until completely combined.

FOUR: Add the clay mixture into the liquid mixture in about 3-4 batches. Use a whisk to completely mix in. Adding the dry ingredients in batches helps prevent the dry ingredients from “poofing” up. Continue mixing until completely combined with no clumps. Pour the scrub into jars and seal with the lid.

When you’re ready to use, apply a small amount of the scrub to wet skin. Use gentle circular motions to scrub and wash the face. Avoid the immediate eye area. Rinse off. Follow with moisturizer or other skin care. Enjoy!

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Cleansing Charcoal Facial Scrub DIY

This face scrub is cleansing and great for oil skin.

Course Face Scrub

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6 jars

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• Six 4 oz. Jars
• 10 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
• 6 oz. Hazelnut Oil
• 0.5 oz. Tamanu Oil
• 11 oz. Kaolin Clay
• 4 oz. White Jojoba Beads – Medium
• 0.3 oz. Activated Charcoal
• 3 mL Tea Tree Essential Oil
• 0.1 oz. Optiphen
• Dropper

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, add the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, hazelnut and tamanu oil. Stir until completely combined. The mixture will take on a milky appearance.
• Add the tea tree essential oil and Optiphen. Stir in completely.
• In a separate container, whisk together the kaolin clay, activated charcoal and jojoba beads until completely combined.
• Add the clay mixture into the liquid mixture in about 3-4 batches. Use a whisk to completely mix in. Adding the dry ingredients in batches helps prevent the dry ingredients from "poofing" up. Continue mixing until completely combined with no clumps. Pour the scrub into jars and seal with the lid.
• When you’re ready to use, apply a small amount of the scrub to wet skin. Use gentle circular motions to scrub and wash the face. Avoid the immediate eye area. Rinse off. Follow with moisturizer, or other skin care. Enjoy!

The post Cleansing Charcoal Facial Scrub DIY appeared first on Soap Queen.

With summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to prep your skin for swimsuits and tank tops. Scrubs help get rid of dry winter skin. They also help moisturizer absorb, leaving your skin soft and smooth. Handmade scrubs are even better because you can customize the ingredients and create a fun design, like the green and white layers in this Apple Sage Salt Scrub.

The recipe features the new Apple Sage Fragrance Oil, which has notes of juicy apple, sage, pineapple and coconut water. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and herby. Evergreen Mica and Apple Moss Green Mica complement the fresh notes in the fragrance. The scrub also has Epsom salt, avocado oil and Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap for a cleansing, gently exfoliating texture that also moisturizes the skin.

This scrub works great for the body. In our tests, we found the micas wash off and don’t stay on the skin. Epsom salt is finely grained, so the recipe may be gentle enough for the face. If you have sensitive skin, you may prefer to use it on the body only. Because the scrub will be applied near the nose, you may want to decrease the fragrance amount so it’s not as strong.

What You’ll Need:
3 Tall 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
28 oz. Epsom Salt, Extra Fine
2 oz. Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap
1 oz. Avocado Oil
.6 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
1/4 tsp. Apple Moss Green Mica
1/4 tsp. Evergreen Mica
.3 oz. Optiphen

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ONE: Measure out 9.3 oz. of Epsom salt into three separate containers. To one container, add 1/4 tsp. of Apple Moss Green Mica and mix thoroughly to combine. To another container, add 1/4 tsp of. Evergreen Mica and mix to combine. Leave the third container uncolored.

TWO: In another container, measure out 2 oz. of Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap, 1 oz. avocado oil, 0.6 oz. of Apple Sage Fragrance Oil and 0.3 oz. of Optiphen. Thoroughly mix the liquids together. You will find that the mixture turns opaque white. This is normal.

NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.

THREE: Split the liquid mixture equally between the three salt containers. You can use a scale to measure 1.3 oz. into each or just eyeball it. Stir each container until the liquid is fully incorporated.

FOUR: Spoon the Apple Moss Green salt mixture into the bottom of a bail jar. You can use a scale to measure 3.5 ounces of the mixture or just eyeball it. Use the spoon to pack the salt down and smooth it out to form an even layer.

FIVE: Spoon in the white salt and pack it down. Finally, spoon in the Evergreen salt and pack it down. Fill the other two jars. Enjoy!
Note: We found the scrub does discolor a slight yellow after a few months. It still feels great on the skin, but will affect the final color.

What is your favorite way to add a personal touch to your scrubs?

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Apple Sage Salt Scrub DIY

This Apple Sage Salt Scrub will get your skin ready for warmer weather!

Course Scrub

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Author Soap Queen

Ingredients

• 28 oz. Epsom Salt Extra Fine
• 2 oz. Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap
• 1 oz. Avocado Oil
• .6 oz. Apple Sage Fragrance Oil
• 3 Tall 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
• 1/4 tsp. Apple Moss Green Mica
• 1/4 tsp. Evergreen Mica
• .3 oz. Optiphen

Instructions

• Measure out 9.3 oz. of Epsom salt into three separate containers. To one container, add 1/4 tsp. of Apple Moss Green Mica and mix thoroughly to combine. To another container, add 1/4 tsp of. Evergreen Mica and mix to combine. Leave the third container uncolored.
• In another container, measure out 2 oz. of Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap, 1 oz. avocado oil, .6 oz. of Apple Sage Fragrance Oil and 0.3 oz. of Optiphen. Thoroughly mix the liquids together. NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get water splashed in it during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful but it is optional. You can read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
• Split the liquid mixture equally between the three salt containers. You can use a scale to measure 1.3 oz. into each or just eyeball it. Stir each container until the liquid is fully incorporated.
• Spoon the Apple Moss Green salt mixture into the bottom of a bail jar. You can use a scale to measure 3.5 ounces of the mixture or just eyeball it. Use the spoon to pack the salt down and smooth it out to form an even layer.
• Spoon in the white salt and pack it down. Finally, spoon in the Evergreen salt and pack it down. Fill the other two jars. Enjoy! Note: We found the scrub does discolor a slight yellow after a few months. It still feels great on the skin, but will affect the final color.

The post Apple & Sage Salt Scrub DIY appeared first on Soap Queen.

One of the important characteristics of liquid soap is the texture. Liquid soap can range from very thin to a thick gel consistency. It’s important to remember that thickness does not mean concentration or quality. There is no right or wrong consistency, it’s all about personal preference. But, the texture of liquid soap does affect packaging options, and may affect how the product is used. For example, soap that has a thin or medium consistency works well in bottles with a pump top. Soap that is too thick may not work well in pump tops, but instead are better suited for disk caps.

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Some of the liquid soap bases, like the Castile Liquid Soap Paste and High Sudsing Liquid Soap Paste, need to be diluted before use. The recommended dilution rate is 4:1 water to paste. Diluting the soap is super simple. In a large pot, bring distilled water to a boil. It’s important to use distilled water, as tap water can have microbes or trace metals. When the water is boiling, add the paste and stir to combine. Keep the mixture around 160°F and stir the soap periodically until the paste is fully dissolved. That can take up to 8 hours depending on how much soap you’re diluting. When the soap is dissolved, let it cool and add fragrance and color if you like. We love using LabColors to color liquid soap with a transparent tint. Learn more about using LabColors here.

Customizing the consistency of thin liquid soap bases, such as the Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap, is really easy. Made primarily of sunflower and coconut oil, this soap base is very gentle on the skin. If you love the formula of a thin soap such as the Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap but want a thicker consistency, it’s easy to change. To thicken, all you need to do is create a salt water solution, and add the salt water to the base in small amounts. To make the solution, first mix 0.5 ounces of plain table salt (just the cheap stuff!) to 1.5 ounces of warm, distilled water. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved.

Want to try the Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap, or other Stephenson product? receive $10 off any $20 purchase or more of Stephenson products with the coupon code: SAVETEN.

To thicken liquid soap base, first make a salt water solution. 

Then, pour your soap base into a mixing container. Add a small amount of the salt water solution directly to the soap base, and stir. The amount you use will depend on how thick you want the soap to be. Adding 1 mL of the solution is usually enough to see a difference! Continue adding the salt solution (stirring in between each addition) until you reach the consistency you desire.

Add the salt solution to liquid soap base to thicken. A little goes a long way!

It is possible to add too much salt solution. The mixture will become extremely thick, similar to the texture of jelly soap! Below, 10 mL of salt solution was added to 4 ounces of soap. You can see how extremely thick it is! I could even hold it in my hand, like flubber. =)

For the sake of experimenting, I tired pouring the remainder of the 1.5 ounces of salt solution into the “flubber soap” to see if it would get even thicker. Adding that much extra liquid turned the soap into an unpleasant, watery, milky consistency. Even though it’s salt water which thickens the soap when added in small amounts, that much extra water dilutes the soap texture. Ick!

Sometimes, you don’t need to thicken soap with salt solution because your fragrance or essential oil will do the work for you. Just like cold process soap, fragrances and essential oils can cause the liquid soap to “accelerate” and become thick. Fragrance and essential oils can also affect the clarity and color of the base. I always like to make a small test batch of fragrance or essential oil in liquid soap to see how it behaves. In addition, I recommend adding your fragrance before thickening soap with salt water. After adding your fragrance, you may find it becomes thick enough.

Above, I added 3 mL of lemongrass essential oil to 8 ounces of Stephenson Organic Liquid Castile Soap. As I stirred in the essential oil, the soap base become a little cloudy and immediately began to thicken. I decided to not thicken this batch more with the salt water solution, as it became nice and thick with the essential oil. The next day, the cloudiness from the lemongrass essential oil went away, and the liquid soap looked nice and clear (shown below).

Another option to thicken liquid soap base is with liquid crothix. Crothix is easy to use; simply add it to your room temperature soap base and mix until fully incorporated. There is no heating required. Just like using salt water solution, I recommend making a small test batch to find just the right amount of crothix for your project. The recommended crothix usage rate is 1-8% of the total weight of your product.

If you have never experimented with changing the consistency of your pre-made liquid soap base, you can see it’s extremely easy! Make sure to only use table salt and distilled water, and add the solution to the liquid soap base in very small amounts. I also highly recommend adding your fragrance or essential oil to the soap base first, as doing so can thicken the soap dramatically.

Have you experimented with liquid soap base? Bramble Berry carries several different types, find them here! If you’re interested in more cleaning ideas, keep your eyes on the blog for more recipes and tutorials. In addition, a collection of cleaning ingredients are 20% off until January 29th with the code: 20PURE. Sale items include baking soda, lemongrass essential oil and more! See all the sale items here. 

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