Natural Soap and Essential Oils

Yes they do make a difference on your skin in soap.  Knowing that much of it is washed down the drain I was a little sceptic to start with. I made shampoo soap for scalp conditions initially. My husband is a slow healer and his cuts and scratches heal a lot quicker when he uses soap with this blend. He did not know the different soaps I put out but the improvement was always with this one.  A little girl with nasty eczema problem is free of symptoms when she uses this soap blend also.

Lavender 12gm

Rose Geranium oil 8gm

Rosemary 6gm

Clove 1gm

For 10X 100gm bars of soap

Use approximately 28gm per 1000gm oil.  Some EO’s have a stronger scent than others.  Your call.

For bar soap, essential oils can double the price of the soap. I can make a 100gm bar for about 30-40cAustralian but the EO can cost about 30-40c.

The cheapest blend I use is 2/3 Lavender Oil and 1/3 Eucalyptus Oil.  The Eucalyptus oil takes away the flowery smell of the Lavender and the Eucalyptus camphorous smell is moderated. Good for a cheaper family soap.

I commonly use oils that have high antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties (the 3 anti’s).

I have not included all the properties of these oils as we don’t normally eat the soap.  Essential Oils is a very big topic so it would pay to do further research as blends can improve the beneficial actions of the oils.

To create your own blend, research the oils that apply to the condition or situation and blend well.  Smell each oil and use your imagination to think which would smell nicer together and which one should be in a higher quantity. Use half toothpicks, dipping to the same height in the different oils you choose and close in a plastic bag.  Leave it for a while and check the smell.  Make changes by adding more toothpicks with a particular oil that you think will improve the scent.  Let it have time to settle.  Record everything in detail so you can replicate if you are happy with it.  You will now have ratios and can work out appropriate quantities.

*Eucalyptus:  Slightly camphorous, sweet fruity smell. Anti-bacterial and viral. Insecticidal.

*Cedarwood. A manly scent. Antibacterial, antiseptic and insect repellent.  Use for dandruff, psoriasis, skin diseases and reduce oily secretions.  Hymalayan Cedarwood smells sweeter than Atlas Mountain Cedarwood or Virginian Cedarwood.  I mix a little Rosemary in the Hymalayan Cedarwood to tone down the sweetness.

*Clove: High levels of the 3 anti’s and antiseptic.  Very strong odour.  Clove oil in soap would be good for gums if people still wash their kids mouths out for swearing.

*Cypress:  Fresh, herbaceous, slightly woody scent.  Good for oil hair.

*Lavender is a standard goody for many skin conditions and acceptable to most noses. Antifungal/septic and antihistamine.  Insect repellent

*Lemon Grass: Antibacterial/septic and insect repellent.

*Lemon Myrtle: This has higher levels of the 3 anti’s than T Tree and a good lemon smell.  Insect repellent

*Melaleuca (Australian Tea Tree):  Good for many skin conditions. Antibacterial/fungal/viral, a strong antiseptic. Insecticidal.

*Rose Geranium: Ladies love the smell. Good for balancing oil production in the skin.  Avoid while pregnant.

*Rosemary: Herbaceous smell. Good for hair and amongst other properties is antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory

Add EO’s as late as possible in the soap making process as the heat will cause a percentage of the EO to evaporate.  It may be that some EO is lost through evaporation over time of soap storage but I can’t see that this would be beyond the surface of the soap.

Being used in soap at the small ratio’s should prevent any sensitivity problems but be aware that some essential oils need to be used with caution.

Buying bulk and sharing costs with friends who also use essential oils reduces the costs a great deal.