Gardener's Fresh Mint CP Soap Recipe

About This Recipe:

Summer is the time when flowers and vegetables are growing and we need to pull the weeds that just keep growing and growing! Whether you have a huge garden or just a few herbs growing on your balcony, this mild exfoliating and fresh, minty soap will be your friend! Extra-fine pumice will remove the dirt from your hands or give you an overall scrub in the shower, leaving you smelling fresh and ready to kick off the day!   

Shopping List:

(1) Distilled Water

(1) 2 lb Sodium Hydroxide Flakes

(1) 1 lb Olive Oil - Extra Virgin

(1) 1 lb Palm Oil

(1) 1 lb Coconut Oil - 76º Melt

(2) 2 oz Apricot Kernel Oil

(2) 2 oz Shea Butter - Natural

(1) 2 oz Beeswax - Yellow Pastilles

(1) 2 oz Sodium Lactate 60%

(1) 2 fl. oz Peppermint (Natural) EO - Certified 100% Pure 712

(1) 2 fl. oz Spearmint EO - Certified 100% Pure 713

(1) 2.5 gm Bag Titanium Dioxide Pigment Powder - For Oil

(1) 5 gm Bag Matte Woodland Green Pigment Powder

(1) 2.5 gm Bag Emerald Green Mica Powder

(1) 2 oz Pumice Powder - Super Fine for Sensitive Skin

(1) Dried Crushed Mint or Parsley Leaves

(4) 1 Piece Beaker - Natural Polypropylene

Recipe Ingredients:

• 8.21 oz. Distilled Water
• 4.18 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Flakes
• 9.0 oz. Olive Oil - Extra Virgin
• 6 oz. Palm Oil
• 8.40 oz. Coconut Oil - 76º Melt
• 3 oz. Apricot Kernel Oil
• 3 oz. Shea Butter - Natural
• 0.60 oz. Beeswax - Yellow Pastilles
• 0.40 oz. Sodium Lactate 60%
• 0.50 oz. Peppermint (Natural) EO - Certified 100% Pure 712
• 0.40 oz. Spearmint EO - Certified 100% Pure 713
• 1 Teaspoon(s) Titanium Dioxide Pigment Powder - For Oil
• 0.05 oz. Matte Woodland Green Pigment Powder
• 0.05 oz. Emerald Green Mica Powder
• 1 oz. Pumice Powder - Super Fine for Sensitive Skin
• 0.05 oz. Dried Crushed Mint or Parsley Leaves

Equipment From Home:

• (1) Polypropylene Pitcher
• (1) Polypropylene Container
• (3) Spatulas
• (1) Heat-Safe Container (64 oz.)
• (1) Stove Top or Hot Plate
• (1) Scale - Digital Display
• (1) Teaspoon Measuring Spoons
• (1) Thermometer - Digital
• (1) Stick Blender
• (3) Plastic Containers
• (1) Wooden Block for tilting mold
• (1) Metal Spoon for texturing
• (3) Towels for insulating

Directions:

WARNING: This project and these instructions have been written for someone who has experience making soap and knows the potential dangers due to working with sodium hydroxide. It will not outline all safety methods of working with dangerous chemicals, it is simply a soap recipe for advanced soap makers.

1. To polypropylene pitcher, add water and then slowly pour lye into water stirring occasionally until lye has dissolved. Allow solution to cool.
2. To a heat-safe container, add oils, butters and beeswax. Heat over stovetop until completely melted.
3. To a plastic beaker, weigh essential oils. Set aside. 
4. In another plastic beaker, mix the titanium dioxide with 1 teaspoon of the melted oil/butter mixture. Proceed in the same manner with the woodland green and teal green pigments.
5. Add the sodium lactate to the cooled lye water and stir.  
6. When the oil/butter mixture and lye-water are at around 120°F, slowly pour the lye-water into the oils. With a stick blender, stir to very light trace.
7. Add the essential oil blend and the pumice powder and stir lightly with the stick blender.  
8. Separate the batter by pouring about 14 oz. into 3 separate measuring cups. 
9. Color the first cup using the premixed white pigment and add the dried mint or parsley to this cup.
10. Color the batter in the other 2 measuring cups with the other colorants. Keep the batter as fluid as possible. Do not over stir!
11. Place a wooden block under one long side of the mold to tilt the mold. This step is optional but it creates cool layers on an angle!
12. Pour the first layer using one of the green colored soap. Using a spatula to catch the soap, pour the second layer using the white batter. Repeat with the third color. 
13. Carefully remove the wooden block from underneath the mold. Using a spoon, you may texture the top as the batter thickens.
14. Cover the soap to insulate and let it set for 18 to 24 hours.
15. Carefully unmold the loaf and cut into 8 one-inch slices. Let cure for 4 to 6 weeks before packaging and labeling.

To Use:  Lather onto wet skin and rinse with warm water. Avoid contact with eyes.