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Rose Soap

This soap has two layers. The top layer is uncoloured soap and the bottom layer has been coloured with pink clay. It is topped with pretty rose petals. This batch makes 1kg of soap in a log mould. Adjust quantities, depending on the size of your mould.

Ingredients:

350gm sustainable palm oil

200gm coconut oil

100gm olive oil

50gm shea butter

50 gm castor oil

98gm caustic soda

225gm purified water

40mL rose geranium essential oil

10gmL rosemary essential oil

10gm pink clay

handful of rose petals

Firstly, pop your gloves and eye protection on and a suitable mask to avoid fumes, head outside with a bowl, the purified water, caustic soda and a spoon. Pour the water into the bowl and then add the Sodium Hydroxide (ALWAYS add the Caustic to the water and NEVER the water to the Caustic). One pearl of caustic soda is all you need to burn your skin, so it is vital to be cautious and wear protection.
The mixture will be very HOT. Stir until dissolved and keep away from your face so as to avoid inhaling fumes. Allow mixture to cool (the fumes will disappear when it cools)
Now, back into the kitchen where you can mix the base oils (but not the essential oil) until they reach about 35 deg C.
When the caustic water is approximately the same temperature (just dip a thermometer in each mixture), pour the lye water into the pot of oils.
Now, get mixing with a stick blender! You are aiming for nice creamy consistency, but not thick and lumpy. When the soap gets to this point, it is called trace. You are aiming for a thin trace. It is often a good idea to keep a spoon handy so you can give it a mix in between your mixing with the stick blender. You should aim for 15-20 second zaps with the stick blender and then a few stirs with the spoon and so forth.
Now separate the mixture into two portions. Place 350gm of mixture in one bowl and leave the remainder in your pot.
Mix 10gm of pink clay in the large portion of soap in your pot. You will need to zap this mixture with the stick blender to ensure the clay blends properly.
Add your essential oil to the pot (about 35mL of rose geranium and 5mL of rosemary) and give it a quick mix with the stick blender.
Pour the pink mixture into your mould and leave for 5 minutes or until it is quite firm. Clean your stick blender and spoon. You will then need to give your plain coloured soap a quick mix with the stick blender and add the remainder of your essential oils. Then pour this mixture on top of the pink. Once finished, sprinkle with rose petals on top.
Insulate your soap by wrapping it with a towel nice and tightly so there is no air creeping in. Leave for 24-48 hours and then unmould and cut into slices. Soap bars should be left to cure for at least a month. The longer you leave them, the harder the bar and longer they will last.