Introduction - Lesson 3 - Soap Making: 20 Homemade Organic Recipes - Homemade Natural Remedies: 80 Organic Beauty Recipes On A Budget For A Healthy Life - Lora Brenner

Homemade Natural Remedies: 80 Organic Beauty Recipes On A Budget For A Healthy Life - Lora Brenner (2016)

Book 3. Soap Making: Essential Guide For Absolute Beginners. 20 Homemade Organic Recipes

Introduction

I love making my own soaps because I know for sure that they are 100% natural and won’t dry out my skin but instead keep it moisturized and healthy. Also, I love surprising people dear to me with some simple gifts, and handmade soaps are always a nice way to say someone you care for them. You can even write a short message on the soaps you make! Plus, when you get used to the basic process of soap making, you can get creative and make your own fragrance combinations.

When you start making your own soaps, the key thing to keep in mind is to follow the measurements and instructions closely. For instance, you will see that the steps you need to follow to make the soaps presented in this book are almost identical. That is because when you combine water and lye, for instance, certain chemical reactions happen which eventually turn a gel-like mixture into soap. That is why lye and water are the basic ingredients used in these recipes.

The other ingredients used here are a number of oils, such as coconut, rosehip, jojoba, almond oil, etc. There are also butters, such as mango and cocoa butter. These oils are used to give your soaps that silky and smooth texture that your skin will fall in love with. However, this is not the only reason why we use them. All these oils are rich in a number of nutrients that keep your skin healthy and may even treat some skin conditions, such as acne. You may notice that in most recipes _several oils are used. These oils are blended in order to balance several properties essential for soaps-moisturizing, cleansing, and lathering. Since vegetable oils can go rancid over time, they are typically not used in making soaps.

The last thing I would like to draw your attention to is your protection. As you read through the basics of soap making, you will see that the lye, used in the recipes here, can get really hot when combined with water. Because of that, it is of great importance to wear protective equipment, such as glasses and gloves. You can also wear a mask to avoid inhaling the vapors which the lye starts producing when it gets in touch with water.

Now, you can go on to learn how to impress your loved ones with your new soapmaking skills.