Soap base - composition and DIY preparation

Base for homemade soap in bars There are many ways to prepare bases for natural cosmetics. Now many people do not trust modern soap manufacturers. Preparing a soap base at home is not difficult - you need to select the desired components based on the characteristics and type of skin, and enjoy the natural product. For example, tar soap from the base.

What is soap base

Soap base is a technological soap produced by saponification of fatty acids. Soap making is a fairly simple process that occurs by mixing fatty acids or oils with alkali. The result is soap itself and glycerin. In home soap making, this is called the base, to which various fragrances, cosmetic or medicinal additives are already added.

Despite the fact that several different types of base are used in the manufacture of soap and other cosmetics, their chemical composition is approximately the same.

The most common soap bases include:

1. Distilled water;
2. Alkali;
3. Glycerin (it is responsible for the tenderness and hydration of the skin);
4. Surfactants (surfactants);
5. Essential oils (selected individually depending on the desired result).

So the base for soap with your own hands is created from scratch from almost those ingredients that every housewife already has in her kitchen. The main advantage of homemade soap is precise confidence in the ingredients and a clear selection of ingredients to suit your skin’s specific characteristics.

The soap base consists of water, as well as glycerin, sorbitol, various organic acids and their derivatives, and sodium chloride.

Additional Information! The history of soap began approximately six thousand years ago. At different times, quite unusual, although no less effective, means were used. The easiest way to cleanse your skin is to use sand. Wood ash mixed with water was also used for washing.

Sometimes various chemicals are added to the base to improve the quality of the future soap.

A few words about additives

The list of recipes for making homemade soap with natural ingredients is endless. To create a product with a scrub effect, you can use ground coffee and loofah.

Not only essential oils, but also food flavorings and special cosmetic fragrances will help make soap fragrant.

You can get a pleasant brown tint by adding cinnamon to the mixture, and calendula flowers will give you a yellow-orange color. Among the harmless synthetic dyes, it is worth noting pigments that dissolve in the finished product and quickly and effectively color the soap base in the desired color. Additionally, you can add mother-of-pearl to the composition, and for transparent varieties, choose shiny glitter.

And finally, it remains to mention how to make the shape of the bars original. To do this, you can use ready-made silicone molds, which are sold in abundance on various resources. And, of course, don’t forget to fantasize and make your fantasies come true!

Everything for soap making

Types of soap base and its composition

Today, the most common soap bases are white, clear, and freestanding - organic. The transparent soap base is also called glycerin, and it softens the skin well, providing hydration and softness for a long time. The white base contains the addition of titanium dioxide, which is often used in cosmetology to maintain skin tone. Organic base suitable for sensitive skin. It contains coconut and palm oil and uses a minimum of chemicals.

There are no chemicals in the organic base to make it lighter or more translucent.

Note! To give your skin a healthy look, you can use ginger oil, which increases blood circulation. Chamomile oil has an immunostimulating effect. Rosemary is excellent for skin diseases, speeding up the healing process.

Soap base can be not only in solid form, but can be in three types:

1. Solid - used for making classic soaps or artistic works.
2. Soft - used for scrubs, cream soaps.
3. Liquid – used to make liquid soap, shower gels and detergents.

Transparent and white base

Thanks to the large amount of glycerin included in the transparent base, it perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It is thanks to transparency that you can achieve the desired depth of color, which is not possible when using other bases. Great for a bright, rich palette or a subtle sheer layer with a defined shade.

The most common, basic soap base comes in two types - transparent (marked with the letter “T” on the package) and white (marked with the letter “W”).

The white base has shades from snow-white to beige. It contains dye E171, also known as titanium dioxide. This is the main distinguishing feature of the raw material.

The white base differs from the transparent one only in that, among other things, it also contains titanium dioxide - it is this that makes the base opaque and white.

Organic base

It is the most sought after of the foundations due to its natural ingredients. It has a yellowish tint because it does not have a whitening component. It can be easily distinguished by its appearance. It looks like a transparent base.

It is marked with the abbreviation “ORG” and is usually sold at a higher price than the regular one.

Creamy soap base

Ideal for creating scrubs and peelings. Helps you create jewelry using solid soap. It resembles white grain cream. Easy to use and does not require additional “cooking”.

To create a mousse or foaming cleanser or a creamy body and hair soap, you will need a creamy soap base.

To prepare a scrub, you need to add base and essential oils to the soft soap base and do not forget the abrasive (exfoliating) particles. In natural form you can use: grape and apricot seeds, sugar, salt, coffee and oatmeal.

The creamy base does not harden and always remains soft.

Liquid soap base

It is a transparent jelly-like liquid. It has a number of advantages: it foams well, perfectly cleanses the scalp and face, soothes irritated skin and rinses off perfectly. Has a neutral pH level.

Liquid soap, shampoos and shower gels are created from a liquid soap base.

Homemade clear soap recipe

To make transparent soap from scratch, we prepare:

• Castor oil – 120 g;
• Coconut oil – 150 g;
• Pork fat – 30 g;
• Glycerin – 210 g;
• Alkali – 45.7 g;
• Water – 90 g.

It is prepared like this:

1. Add lye to very cold water.
2. Melt coconut oil and fat, add castor oil.
3. When the oils have cooled well, introduce an alkaline solution into them through a sieve.
4. Using a mixer, beat all ingredients until smooth.
5. Place the mixture in a water bath. Cover with a lid and, stirring occasionally, simmer for 2 hours.
6. After this time, use an indicator strip to measure the pH. It should turn light green.
7. Now pour in glycerin. Continue simmering until the soap becomes homogeneous. This will happen in approximately 40 minutes.
8. Pour the mixture into the mold and leave to harden.

It is not recommended to place clear soap in the refrigerator to harden, as the cold temperature will cause the base to become cloudy.

Where can I buy soap base?

Soap base can be purchased at specialized soap-making stores or ordered online with delivery to the post office or home. But it is worth remembering that handmade soap will always be the best.

First of all, you need to decide what kind of cosmetic product you are going to make.

Scrub soap: how to make it at home?

Scrub soap easily removes stubborn dirt and also helps remove the upper dead layer of the epidermis. Prepare the ingredients:

• Soap base – 200 g.
• Water – 4 tbsp.
• Almond oil – 60 ml.
• Honey – 60 g.
• Finely ground coffee – 2 tbsp.
• You can also use a dye of the desired shade.

The scrub soap is quite easy to prepare:

1. Grind the base.
2. Boil two glasses of water and pour boiling water over the base.
3. Beat the mixture with a blender.
4. Add honey, almond oil, finely ground coffee. If you want to add dye, then add that too. Stir, leave for 20 minutes.
5. Add the remaining water and beat with a blender until smooth.
6. The scrub soap has a creamy consistency, so it is best stored in a bottle with a dispenser.

How to make your own soap base

First of all, you need to worry about safety measures: purchase gloves, goggles and a respirator. You will also need control and measuring instruments: scales, a pH meter or indicator strips, which allows you to make sure that the alkali is neutralized and the soap is ready and can be used. There are several types of home soap making.

Many soap makers, not only experienced but also beginners, often begin to wonder whether it is possible to make a soap base on their own.

Soap making from baby soap is the best way for those who are just starting their first steps in this business. Store-bought baby soap must be crushed in any convenient way and melted in a water bath, then add the necessary base and essential oils. You can add herbal decoctions to make the soap even more beneficial. The most important advantage of this method is the availability and low cost of the starting material (baby soap).

Many soap makers, especially beginners, not wanting the extra hassle of choosing and purchasing a base, use instead the baby soap that has been familiar since Soviet times.

But along with this, you will also have to take into account the disadvantages, namely the own smell of baby soap. For this reason, it is recommended to choose soap without fragrances, in order to avoid obtaining a not very pleasant final smell. It is also worth remembering that soap takes a long time to melt and you will have to be patient. Also, unfortunately, this method will not work if the transparency of the soap was intended.

The disadvantage of such a base is that it takes longer to melt than a professional one, and can retain a specific smell even after it is processed into another product.

Hot method of making soap

Making soap using the hot method begins with obtaining soap “dough” using the previous technology. Instead of adding flavors and colors, it should be placed in a slow cooker for further cooking. Within an hour, under a closed lid, real magic will happen! The soap will rise and fall, hardening in some places and maintaining a gel-like consistency in others.

After an hour, the resulting composition must be turned off and mixed thoroughly. Now is the time to add the remaining ingredients to it. After this, pour the mixture into the mold and leave overnight. After hardening, the soap will be completely ready for use, and you won’t have to wait several weeks for this!

Soap from scratch

It is not for nothing that this method has such a name, because soap makers monitor each of the processes of creating soap from the beginning to the final result. To begin the process, you need to make sure that the room is well ventilated. We have not forgotten about protective equipment: gloves, respirator, goggles. Since you have to work with alkali, you need to prepare a neutralizer: vinegar essence, citric acid, or you can use sour fruit juices.

Making homemade soap from scratch is a fun creative process.

Depending on what kind of base you want to get, use:

1. Solid base - alkali in the form of caustic soda;
2. The liquid base is potassium hydroxide.

Approximate ratio of all components (quantity and proportion may vary depending on the specific recipe):

1. Coconut oil - 1 part;
2. Castor or palm oil - 1 part;
3. Water and alkali - water 33%;
4. Glycerin - 30-95% of the weight of the soap before adding glycerin.

Making soap at home from scratch can seem like a super difficult process for beginners.
However, there is nothing complicated about it. It is necessary to prepare soap in any container that is not afraid of heat. Stir only with a wooden spatula.

Pour lye into a bowl of water. Stir until completely dissolved. Next, we prepare the oil base; a soap maker’s calculator (can be found on the Internet) will help you with this, which will accurately determine the required proportion of oils for the soap base of the required mass. Then liquid oils are applied. And everything is thoroughly mixed again.

The ingredients must be measured strictly according to the recipe, otherwise you can harm the skin when washing with such soap.

Important! It is necessary to ensure that the alkaline solution and oils are at the same temperature, approximately 40-50 degrees.

If you notice lumps, you can get rid of them by straining. Bring the soap to readiness in a water bath. The pH measure will help determine readiness; it should show a value of 7-8 units, which means the readiness of our soap.

The temperature of the oils and base should not differ by more than 10°C. Everything should be thoroughly whipped with a blender and poured into the mold.

Also in practice, 2 types of making soap from scratch are used:

• Hot method - during the soap making process, all ingredients are heated. With this method, you use the soap immediately after it hardens.
• Cold method - the ingredients themselves heat up during the reaction with alkali. Soap needs time, about 4-6 weeks, to undergo the process of neutralizing the alkali.

To ensure that the surface of the finished soap is smooth, without accumulation of bubbles, the mold and visible parts are sprayed with alcohol, which is first placed in a spray bottle.
Handmade soap is a great option as a hobby or additional income. But the main feature of home soap making is full control of the entire process and precise confidence in the composition.

Natural soap has much more benefits than store-bought soap full of chemical ingredients.

Lifehacks for making soap

Even artisans who know how to make handmade soap sometimes make mistakes when using new ingredients. We have collected 10 tips from soap makers for you to make your experiments a success.

1. A light citrus aroma that quickly disappears can be retained longer with the help of woody essential oils - sandalwood, cedar, patchouli.
2. To prevent pigment from forming lumps when added to soap, pre-mix it with base oil.
3. Food coloring is not suitable for making multi-colored or multi-layered bars because the colors migrate into each other. This has the most unexpected effect on the appearance of the final product.
4. Instead of dyes, you can add colored clay to soap: blue, yellow, red. The soap will become even more beneficial for the skin, and its color will be muted, pastel.
5. If you want to add several essential oils to your soap, study the table for the correct combination. Harmonious combinations for example: mint and jasmine, rosemary and grapefruit, ginger and orange.
6. When mixing ingredients, be careful to prevent bubbles from forming.
7. If you are pouring soap into a large mold and then dividing it into several, use a miter box for cutting - this way the bars will be exactly the same in width.
8. Soap consisting of several layers looks very beautiful. Before pouring each next layer, spray the previous one with alcohol.
9. Use only well-dried pieces of fruit, seeds, flowers and herbs. Otherwise, they will quickly mold right inside the soap.
10. Do not add essential oils to a hot base; wait until it cools down a bit. If the mixture is too hot, the aroma will “evaporate.”

How to make soap at home from soap remnants?

From pieces of old soap that constantly remain in the soap dish and are eventually thrown away, you can make good soap for washing your face. To work you need to have:

• Remnants – 5 pcs. Instead, you can take 1-2 pieces of soap.
• Lanolin – 2 tbsp.
• Almond oil – 1 tsp.
• Avocado oil – 0.5 tsp.
• Oatmeal – 1 tbsp.
• Almonds (powder) – 1 tbsp.
• Tea rose petals (dry) – 1 tsp.

Do the following:

1. Grind the soap, this can be done using a grater. Melt them in a water bath, add lanolin.
2. When everything has melted, remove from heat, add butter, oatmeal, almonds, rose petals.
3. Stir until a homogeneous mass emerges.
4. Pour the soap into a mold, preferably a silicone one. Cover with cling film and forget for three days.
5. After three days, take it out and cut it into bars.

Cosmetic soap as a gift: how to make it at home?

The following recipe is suitable for a gift. You need to prepare:

• Soap base – 80 g.
• Grapeseed oil – 30 g.
• Cinnamon oil – 3 drops.
• Cinnamon powder – 10 g.

Instructions:

1. Melt the soap base under temperature (microwave, water bath).
2. Pour oil into it and stir.
3. Add cinnamon powder and stir.
4. Pour into molds. After 8-10 minutes, stir the mixture so that the cinnamon powder does not settle.

How to make liquid soap at home?

We invite you to try a lazy recipe for making liquid soap. Preparing the components:

• A piece of baby soap – 50 g.
• Herbal decoction – 800–1000 ml. Celandine, chamomile, and calendula are perfect.
• Glycerin – 1 tbsp.
• Oil – 1 tbsp. You can take any.
• If desired, pigment and flavoring.

Do the following:

1. Rub soap.
2. Brew the grass. Strain the broth.
3. Combine the broth and soap. Hide for a day.
4. Add glycerin, oil and other ingredients to the resulting mass, mix until smooth.
5. Pour into a bottle with a dispenser and you can wash.

The best homemade soap recipes

We’ve sorted out how to make soap using different methods, now we’ll give recipes for the best homemade soap options according to our magazine.

Chocolate

Olive

Honey Milk Tar