DIY Exfoliating soap recipes – skin care products with natural ingredients

DIY Exfoliating soap recipes are not difficult and even beginners at home crafts can manage. As women know, an exfoliating soap is a skin care product used for cleansing and removing dead skin cells and particles of the epidermis.

There are different types of this soap variety. Some are used for facial cleaning and are usually made with softer exfoliants. Another group is used for the body and is made with coarse-grained exfoliants. The third type of soap is the kind that is designed specifically for use on the legs and heels.

Of course, there are different ingredients that can be added to soap to give it exfoliating properties. Loofah sponge is one of the most common ingredients added to some types of exfoliating soaps. Other natural products that are used as small abrasive particles are algae, coffee beans, sea salt or Himalayan salt, seeds, crushed pits of different fruits and coarse flour, such as oatmeal. Usually exfoliating soaps contain a variety of essential oils that help keeping the skin soft and silky.

Exfoliation is beneficial not only to the face but for the skin of the whole body. Exfoliation in certain areas of the body, such as the back and shoulders, can help reduce post-acne spots and hyper pigmentation. After using exfoliating soap, it is recommended to moisturize the skin. Although the skin may appear healthy and glowing after the old cells have been removed, you need to maintain its freshness and softness with moisturizing lotions or body oils. It is better to use moisturizing products when the skin is still slightly moist, so it better absorbs the components for hydration from the moisturizer.

What are the advantages of homemade exfoliating soaps?

One of the main advantages of homemade exfoliating soaps is that everyone can select components suitable for his type of skin. In addition, you will avoid any synthetic flavors, preservatives, stabilizers and other substances that affect the quality and properties of the mass-produced soaps.

A natural handmade soap offers many benefits:

• saturates cells with micro elements, vitamins and other useful substances;
• gently cleanses, effectively softens, nourishes, tones the skin;
• improves the color and overall condition of the skin;
• it has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect;
• retains moisture and maintains skin elasticity;
• protects it from the harmful effects of hard water;
• makes the skin tender and velvety;
• relieves rashes, irritations and other problems.

In addition, a homemade soap perfectly cleanses the skin pores and the valuable natural ingredients not only provide nutrition but help getting rid of various problems. Handmade exfoliating soap with natural ingredients is a unique product. Despite the fact that you can use different ingredients and scents, the pleasure of using it and the beneficial effects on the skin are a common feature.

Easy DIY Exfoliating Loofah Soap

Ingredients:

2 pounds (900g) shea butter melt-and-pour soap base

1 6- inch (15 cm) loofah

20 drops lavender essential oil

Soap dye, optional

Silicone soap mold

Instructions:

Slice the loofah into six equal slices with a bread knife.

Place a slice of loofah into each soap mold.

Chop the soap base, place the pieces in a glass container and microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time.

Once the soap base is completely melted, add the essential oil and a few drops of soap dye.

Pour the melted soap mixture into the mold, covering the loofah completely.

Leave the soap to harden and after it sets up, it is ready for use.

Cinnamon, orange and ginger soap with coffee grounds

Ingredients:

6 ounces (170 g) melt and pour glycerin soap base

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2 tablespoons coffee grounds

15 drops Cinnamon bark essential oil

10 drops Ginger essential oil

10 drops Orange essential oil

Instructions:

Cut soap base into about 1-inch cubes.

Put soap and coconut oil in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 15-30 seconds at a time until soap is completely melted, stirring between intervals.

Add essential oils and mix well.

Add coffee grounds stirring well to combine and remove all clumps.

Pour into molds.

Let sit until solid, approximately 1-3 hours.

DIY Oatmeal Exfoliating Soap

Ingredients:

¼ cup oatmeal

12 ounces shea butter melt and pour soap base

10 drops essential oil of your choice

Rubbing alcohol

Instructions:

Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder in a food processor.

Sprinkle the bottoms of silicone mold cavities with the ground oatmeal and set aside.

Chop the soap base and melt it over low heat in a double boiler. Whisk frequently until the soap base is completely melted and smooth.

Allow the soap to cool for 3-4 minutes and add a few drops of essential oil at a time.

Pour melted soap over ground oatmeal. If any air bubbles appear at the surface, spray them with rubbing alcohol.

Allow your exfoliating oatmeal soap to harden in the mold for 3-4 hours before unmolding.

Store the exfoliating soap in an airtight glass container.

DIY Exfoliating soap with Himalayan salt

Ingredients:

1 pound (450 g) White melt and pour soap base

10 drops essential oil of your choice

soap colorant, optional

pink Himalayan salt

Instructions:

Chop the soap base into 1-inch (2,5 cm) pieces.

Melt in the microwave oven for 1 minute or until the soap just melts and begins to bubble. Stir and add in 5-10 drops of your essential oil.

Pour the soap into the mold and let cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Sprinkle the salt crystals on the soap.

Let the soap cool for an hour or two.

Remove the soap from the mold. You can use a cookie cutter to cut the soap into your desired shapes or simply cut it into bars with a knife.

Grapefruit, Mint and Poppy seed Exfoliating Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

10 oz (280 g) goat’s milk melt and pour soap base

zest of half grapefruit

1 tbsp poppy seeds

10 drops of grapefruit essential oil

4 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

Cut the soap base into cubes.

Zest the grapefruit.

Melt the soap base in the microwave or double boil.

Once your soap base is entirely melted, add the essential oils, grapefruit zest, and poppy seeds. Stir to combine.

Pour the soap into the silicone mold and let harden.

Once the soap has hardened, unmold the bars.

Exfoliating Orange and Clove Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound (450 g)   goat’s milk melt and pour soap base or shea butter soap base

2 tsp ground clove

2 tbs ground dried orange peel

20 drops of orange essential oil

10 drops of clove essential oil

Instructions:

Cut the soap into small cubes and place in microwave safe bowl. Add the ground clove and orange peel.

Microwave for 40 seconds, stir and repeat in 10-20 second intervals until soap is melted.

Remove from microwave and add the essential oils, stir until well mixed.

Pour the soap mixture into the cavities of the soap mold.

Allow to fully cool and harden.

Store in airtight packaging or a jar.

DIY Coconut Sand Exfoliating Soap Recipe

Ingredients:

½ cup shea butter soap base

 ½ cup sand

¼ cup water

¼ cup coconut oil

Instructions:

Cut soap base into cubes and melt in microwave.

Add sand, coconut oil and water and stir continuously until soap has thickened and cooled.

Pour into mold and let harden.

Remove soap from mold and cut into squares.

Rosemary, Mint and Poppy seed Exfoliating Soap

Ingredients:

White melt and pour soap base

1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds

1 Tbsp Rosemary

1 Tsp Mint Extract

Instructions:

Cut the soap base into small cubes and place in a medium sized glass bowl.

Place your soap cubes in the microwave for 1 minute, remove and stir with a metal spoon. Place back in the microwave for another 30 seconds and remove. Stir it up quickly.

Add in your the poppy seeds, rosemary and mint extract. Mix well until blended.

Pour the mixture into the cavities of silicone mold and let sit for a minimum of 2 hours or until hard.

If air bubbles appear at the top of the soap, spritz the surface with rubbing alcohol until they disappear.