Cider by the Fire: Moisturizing Oat Milk Soap
Spending a lot of time indoors during the colder months can leave us feeling like we have nothing to do. Instead of sinking into boredom, we can use this time to indulge in a bit of quiet reflection and rest. Enjoying a tasty warm beverage and a nice hot bath are two of the most comforting activities to help warm the body and calm the mind. Creating a cleansing and moisturizing bar of soap with a rich, spiced scent can help to marry the two experiences together for ultimate cozy relaxation. Oat milk makes the finished bar of soap extra creamy and can help to soothe dry and irritated skin. Apple Cider and Honey Bourbon Fragrance Oils combine to create a warm, sweet, and rich aroma that evokes the feeling of sipping a mug of cider by the fire.
Ingredients
- 11.5 oz of Olive Oil
- 8 oz of Coconut Oil
- 7.5 oz of Palm Oil
- 3 oz of Avocado Butter
- 1 oz of Castor Oil
- 9 oz of Distilled Water
- 3 oz of Oat Milk
- 4.5 oz of Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- 1 oz of Apple Cider Fragrance Oil
- 0.5 oz of Honey Bourbon Fragrance Oil
Supplies
- Heat-Safe Individual Soap Molds
- Immersion Blender
- Digital Kitchen Scale
- Small Bowl for Essential Oils
- Medium Glass Bowl for Lye Mixture
- Large Glass or Stainless Steel Bowl for Base Oils
- Pot or Double Boiler
- Spoon or Rubber Spatula
- Gloves
- Safety Glasses or Goggles
Instructions
***Make sure to wear safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and long-sleeve clothing. Working with lye and high temperatures requires caution and safe practices. Always make soap in a well-ventilated area.
- Measure and combine the fragrance oils and set them aside.
- Weigh each oil and add them to a large bowl. Place the bowl on top of a large pot that is about 1/3 full of water and bring the water to a boil. Heat the oil until fully melted, stirring occasionally.
- While the oil is 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 130 degrees or below, ensuring that they are within 10 degrees of each other.
- Place the immersion blender into the oil, tapping it on the bottom of the bowl to release any air bubbles. This is a safety precaution that prevents the bubbles from coming to the surface when you begin mixing in the lye.
- Slowly and gently pour the lye water into the oil mixture. You can pour down the side of the bowl or down the shaft of the immersion blender to 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 oat milk and fragrance oil blend.
- Once the soap reaches about a medium trace, quickly stir in the oats and pour it into the mold, scraping the bowl to ensure no soap is left behind. Tap the mold on the table or counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- 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.
- Use and enjoy.