Oatmeal body scrub soap and more (merged)

Magentasue

Zziggi wrote:

Am I the only one who is still confused about how to make my own soap? Is there a basic receipe that i could use for a trial batch? lye? where would i get caustic soda from?

sorry if its a daft question

I've been asking Leonie about this and she's been very helpful. I have a library book that has step by step instructions. These websites have the same info:

http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=462
http://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/soap_recipe.htm

I was going to make a castile (olive oil) soap because I don't want to use animal products and it only uses three ingredients - olive oil, caustic soda and water! However, Leonie has recommended adding another oil so I'm going to have to find some cocconut oil or similar.

Caustic soda is available in old fashioned hardware stores or some branches of B&Q etc. Lye is caustic soda - or maybe it becomes lye when it's mixed with water, that sounds more plausible.

All you need (says she who hasn't even started) is dishwasher proof plastic of stainless steel containers, a non-alumininium thermometer and a plastic biscuit tin or similar to pour the mixture into.

Leonie also suggests using a stick blender to mix and others have suggested using old cardboard milk cartons for moulds - you cut the top off and then, when the soap is set the cardboard peels off so that you can slice the soap.

HTH, I can't wait to get started!

honey

leonie wrote:

Recently, Aldi was selling dead sea salt, 1.5kg for £1.99. I added half sweet almond oil (76pish) from tesco and half olive oil (£1.99 per litre) and a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to a pretty glass pot that I had saved. This looked lovely and is wonderful as a gift, and really inexpensive to make! You think how much Boots charge for something like this, bearing in mind most salt scrubs arent dead sea salt, just plain salt. Also remember its not loaded with chemicals and perfumes, just natural stuff, so its much better for your skin too!

Right then - I am patiently collecting soap slivers so I can have a go at making Queenie's HM Oatmeal Scrub Soap.

I also want to have a go at a Leonie's salt scrub. I already have sea salt but it is the coarse sort that you grind up - should I use this as it is or grind it up first or buy some even finer?? I've never used a salt scrub so I'm not too sure what the finished look should be like?!

Thanks in advance

leonie_2

Well i've never used normal salt as I usually buy dead sea salt in bulk but you could try with a little batch and see how you go? I wouldnt recommend sugar though as apparently it can be too scratchy and cause teeny tears in the skin. Brown sugar is supposed to be better as its molecules are more rounded.

Just dont feel you have to 'scrub' at your skin, this is a common mistake people make. Exfoliating is simply removing the top layers of skin. So gently massage the scrub into your skin. This is even more important on facial skin.

Tondella

Hello old schoolers

I've just come to the end of my tub of boots Sanctuary body scrub and was pondering whether I'd be able to make my own. The list of ingredients seems pretty straight forward, salt, sea salt, various essential oils (primrose, coconut, etc) and that's it.

Anyone ever had a go at this and can offer me any tips? Might make a good Christmas present if it goes well.

Sarahsaver

i have been told that coffee is good, ground stuff that is
or you could use oats and add dried herbs or flowers
ground adzuki beans are really lovely, you just mix them to a paste in your hands then scrub it on.The sink blocking potential for these is high though

elona

There is a thread on home made body scrubs - bet squeaky will be around any minute with the location or link.

scuzz

Think I heard of creme fresh and oatmeal mixed together

squeaky

Look in the Makeup and Body Care section in the MEGA Index sticky at the top of the forum listing where there are some ideas for you to browse, and we have a recent thread on home made scrub soap that I'll find for you and will edit the link back into this post.

So watch this space...:)

Edit: here you go:- Link no longer needed; the thread is merged here

starlite_2

I found salt and coffee a bit harshon my skin, and the coffee made an awful mess of our bath!, but oats worked great..
I mix them with a little olive oil and a few drops of pure tea tree oil..it works really well.

Tondella

scuzz wrote:

Think I heard of creme fresh and oatmeal mixed together

I think I'd rather eat that!!