Bon Voyage: Exfoliating & Nourishing Travel Soap
Seeing the world can be a wonderful adventure but the effects of trotting around the globe are not always so kind to our bodies. Sweat and grime from long travel days, dry air in plane cabins, and changes in climate from place to place can take a toll on the skin, leaving it in desperate need of soothing and moisture. A nourishing and exfoliating solid travel soap can come to the rescue to cleanse and hydrate the skin when we are on the go. A standard blend of olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil creates a hard and long-lasting bar that can travel around the globe with us. The addition of sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to this classic recipe helps the soap to soothe dryness and irritation that can come from travel conditions and restore hydration to the skin. A slice of exfoliating natural loofah inside each bar helps to scrub off dirt and dead skin, allowing the nourishing properties of the soap to penetrate deeply into the skin. Pirates Blend is a warm and spicy combination of essential oils that is based on an ancient formula meant to support wellness. Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil adds notes of musk and sweetness and helps to extend the staying power of the aroma. The small round bars can be stored in tins and thrown into a suitcase or bag for easy travel use.
Ingredients
- 24 Silicone 4 oz Round Soap Molds
- 24 Slices of Natural Loofah
- 24 oz of Olive Oil
- 12 oz of Coconut Oil
- 12 oz of Palm Oil
- 6 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
- 6 oz of Hemp Seed Oil
- 3 oz of Avocado Oil
- 6 oz of Shea Butter
- 14 oz of Distilled Water
- 6 oz of Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 3 oz of Pirates Blend
- 2 oz of Sandalwood Vanilla Fragrance Oil
Instructions
- Weigh and combine the essential oil blend and fragrance oil, then set them aside.
- Place one slice of loofah into each cavity of the molds and set them aside.
- Weigh each base oil and butter and combine them in a large bowl. Place the bowl on top of a large pot about ⅓ full of water. Bring the water to a boil. Heat the oils until fully melted and blended, stirring occasionally.
- While the oils are melting, weigh out the lye and water in two separate bowls. Slowly add the lye to the water while gently stirring until the lye is fully dissolved and the liquid is clear.
- Let the oils and lye mixture both cool to 120 degrees or below, ensuring that they are within 10 degrees of each other.
- Place the immersion blender into the oils, tapping it on the bottom of the bowl to release any air bubbles.
- Slowly and gently pour the lye water into the oil mixture. Pouring down the side of the bowl or down the shaft of the immersion blender can reduce the chance of splashing.
- Pulse the blender a few times, watching as the oils and lye start to combine. Switch between short pulses and stirring with the blender until the mixture comes together to a light trace.
- Working quickly, stir (do not blend) in the essential oil and fragrance oil blend.
- Once the soap reaches about a medium trace, slowly pour it into the molds over the loofah slices, scraping the bowl to ensure no soap is left behind. Tap the molds on the table or counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Cover the molds and allow the soap to sit in the molds for 48-72 hours at room temperature. Unmold the soap and allow it to cure for 4-6 weeks.
You may also enjoy...
