Things You'll Need
Plastic bucket
4 ounces water
2 ounces lye
Plastic or wooden utensil
10 ounces palm oil
4 ounces coconut oil
2 ounces olive oil
Double boiler
Plastic counter
4 ounces carrot juice
Stick blender
Blender
Soap mold
1 medium carrot
12 ounces melt-and-pour soap base
Rich in beta carotene, carrots are a beneficial vegetable that can improve your overall health and well-being. When used in soap, carrots act as a moisturizer and antioxidant, and they may even help even your skin tone. Before you buy commercially produced carrot soap, try creating your own. Making your own homemade carrot soap gives you the ability to control the ingredients in the soap-making process.
Hot Process Method
Step 1
Fill a plastic bucket with the water. After putting on your protective gear, add the lye carefully to the water and mix with a plastic or wooden utensil until it's well incorporated into the water. When mixed with water, lye begins to heat up. Set the mixture to the side for the moment.
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Step 2
Place the palm oil, coconut oil and olive oil into a double boiler and melt over low to medium heat. Don't let the oils boil; it will destroy the beneficial elements of the ingredients. Remove the mixture from heat when the oils are completely melted and let it cool.
Step 3
Combine the oil mixture with the lye/water mixture once they both reach temperatures between 100 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You should pour the oil mixture into a plastic container first and then add the lye/water mixture. Stir in the carrot juice.
Step 4
Use a stick blender to blend the mixture until you achieve a light trace. To check for trace, pull the blender out and let the soap mixture drizzle on the top. If the drizzled mixture stays on the top of the soap, you have a light trace.
Step 5
Pour the soap mixture carefully into the molds. Cover the molds with a towel and let it sit for about 48 hours. Remove the soap from the molds. Let it cure in an open counter for about three weeks before using.
Melt-and-Pour Method
Step 1
Place the carrot in the blender and blend it until you have made a puree. Add enough water to the pureed carrots to make 9 ounces of liquid. Set the liquid to the side for the moment.
Step 2
Cut the melt-and-pour soap base into 1-inch cubes and place them in a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 3
Set the bowl in the microwave and heat for 45 seconds. Stir the soap. If necessary, keep microwaving at 10-second intervals until the soap base is completely melted.
Step 4
Pour the liquid from Step 1 into the melted soap base and mix until well incorporated. Pour the mixture carefully into the soap mold. Let it solidify for at least three hours before using.
Tip
Add essential oils -- such as lavender, lemongrass or cedarwood -- to change the scent and add additional benefits to the soap.
Use soap-grade colorant or fragrance -- not food-grade -- when making homemade soap.
Spraying the soap mold with vegetable oil makes it easier to release the soap once it's solidified.
Warning
Always wear protective gear -- safety goggles and chemical-resistant rubber gloves -- when working with lye.
Avoid using metal containers or utensils -- except for stainless steel -- when working with lye.
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