Home Made Soap Recipe for Mum

Rose oil is considered to be the “Queen” of essential oils. It is the most precious and highly prized of the essential oils, and the flower world. “No other flower has as many admirers or has been written about so much” (S. Fischer-Rizzi) Rose is considered to be a symbol for completeness and harmony and assigned to the heart. As such, surely it is the most fitting flower to be assigned to the mums of the world?

Pure rose essential oil is very expensive, it is commonly adulterated and often synthetically replicated. Why? …To put it in context it is reported that 5,000 pounds of fresh rose petals are required to produce one pound of oil. I tried to convert that to mls but maths is not my strong point so I will leave it to you to work out – I’m sure you get the picture from these figures regardless! Rose oil is generally created as an Absolute, with the concrete dissolved in alcohol to extract the essence, rather than being produced via the usual process of steam distillation. Some suppliers may provide a dilution of 2.5% Rose in Jojoba oil to make it’s use more affordable and also practical because it is generally only required to be used in small dilutions. In the recipe below the rose oil that I have used is in a 2.5% dilution.

My mum deserves the best, I can say that with certainty. She is exceptionally generous with her time, her attention, her love, cuddles, care, her “listening ears”, tolerance and also her money. I feel like she is constantly giving and supporting our little family and she never expects anything in return. I know that she enjoys my skin care products, she has been my biggest supporter since I created the very first product in my range more than 20 years ago. My handmade skincare products are something that she can not purchase and she has no inclination to make them herself.

When I was pondering Mothers Day this year I decide to make mum some soap and of course Rose was the first oil that popped into my head as the feature oil.  It is warm and luxurious, totally and simply exquisite. In today’s world where plants are bred for their appearance rather than their properties Rose flowers often have no fragrance. When you experience the real essence, the complete fragrance of this beautiful flower it is a magical thing. This rose based soap was created for my beautiful mum.

If you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift for your mum that is beautiful, luxurious and made with love – this is it. In addition to an exquisite fragrance, Rose essential oil is soothing for the skin. It calms redness and irritation  and is a lovely oil to use for sensitive skin. Regenerative, toning and cleansing it has earned it’s name as the Queen of oils.

Nitty gritty information about making soap:

Safety is critical

• Protect  feet, skin, eyes and benches/work surfaces
• Wear gloves, long sleeves, a mask and shoes and safety goggles
• Cover your work area with plastic sheet or newspaper
• No children or pets should be in the vicinity when using lye (caustic soda)
• Mix lye outside if possible – if not possible, then it must be in a very well ventilated room
• Do not walk around with newly mixed lye, mix it in the location it will sit to cool
• Seek immediate medical advice if you get lye in or near your eyes. If you get lye on your skin it will burn. Rinse under water immediately and if relief is not gained seek medical attention

** For additional safety information prior to making this recipe please refer to to my notes on beginner soap making.

Soap making can be a dangerous activity if you do not follow the correct process and precautions.

Making soap is not difficult if you follow the correct process and adhere to the safety requirement. They are important to abide by. Read this information prior to commencing.

If you are still here after reading that here is the recipe – I know your mum will adore it.

Print

Mothers Day Luxurious Rose Soap

Prep Time

45 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

A luxurious moisturising handmade Rose soap for mum on Mothers Day. Pure rose essential oil and nourishing vegetable oils make a decadent, soothing soap to spoil your mum.

Course: skin care

Author: Kyrstie Barcak - A Fresh Legacy

Ingredients

• 215 grams coco butter
• 45 grams evening primrose oil
• 40 grams shea butter
• 160 grams grapeseed oil
• 50 grams avocado oil
• 65 grams Lye (caustic soda)
• 175 grams Chilled water
• 2 tablespoons white clay
• 20 drops rose essential oil 2.5% dilution
• 30 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops fennel essential oil

Instructions

1. Place a saucepan filled 1/4 full of water to heat to a simmer
2. Measure out and place the cocoa butter, evening primrose, shea butter, grapeseed and avocado oils into a bowl that can be placed on top of the saucepan without the bottom of it touching the water in the saucepan.
3. Set it aside for now and wait until the water in the saucepan comes to a simmer
4. Line a plastic container/Tupperware with baking paper. This will be the soap mold.
5. Line your work area with a plastic sheet or newspaper to protect the surface from any spills.
6. Put on your gloves and mask
7. Measure your chilled water into a high edged tub or bucket
8. (I complete this step outside on the deck) Pour the lye into the water (DO NOT pour the water into the lye) Keep your face away from the mixture and avoid breathing in the fumes that will immediately start to be released. The mixture will immediately begin to heat up. Give the mixture a stir to allow the lye to dissolve and leave the container to sit outside
9. The water in the saucepan should be coming to a low boil, place the bowl with the other ingredients on top and stir once in while until the solid ingredients melt. *DO NOT do this step over high heat, it is a gentle heating process.
10. Once the ingredients are almost melted remove the bowl from the top of the saucepan and continue to stir until they are fully dissolved.
11. Allow the ingredients temperature to drop to 40 or 45 degrees
12. Check the temperature of the chilled water and lye, at this stage it should also be around 40-45 degrees C
13. Slowly pour the lye and water mixture into the melted oils. Use a stick blender to combine. Continue to use the blender until the mixture has thickened and when raised slightly above the mixture can make a line across the mixture that stays sitting on top. If the drizzle of the mixture sinks quickly into the bowl you need to keep going with the blender. This can take 15-20 minutes. Give your blender a rest every few minutes.
14. Once the mixture is at the correct thickness add the clay and the essential oils
15. Mix again with the stick blender for a minute
16. Pour the soap mixture into the lined plastic container
17. Set the container aside in a location that will not be disturbed and cover with cling wrap and then with a towel
18. After a day a two the soap can turned out and sliced into bars of the desired size
19. Allow the sliced soap to cure and dry on a rack. A cake rack is perfect for this.
20. Allow to dry/cure - ideally for approximately 4 weeks. The longer the soap dries the harder it will be and the longer it will last

Recipe Notes

Use only good quality pure essential oils from a reputable supplier. For important safety information prior to making this recipe please refer to to my notes on a beginning to make soap. Soap making can be a dangerous activity if you do not follow the correct process and precautions. They are not difficult, they are important to abide by. Read this information prior to commencing.

I made one batch of this soap adding dried rose petals to the base of the container when I poured the soap into the mold but they turn a rusty brown color as the soap cures that is not so pretty so keep them to add to your wrapping instead.

Happy Mothers Day to all of the mums out there. I hope that you have a beautiful day.

Reference: Suzanne Fischer Rizzi, Complete Aromatherapy Handbook, Sterling Publishing, New York, 1990