Tag: #handmade

Creamy Orange & Peppermint Soap Bar

Ingredients

• 3lbs organic white soap base
• 2 tablespoons Annatto Seeds
• 2 oz. light olive oil
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 oz. of Orange Essential Oil
• 1.4 oz. of Peppermint Essential Oil
• Silicone Soap Mold (design of your choice)
• Small spray bottle of rubbing alcohol

Directions

• Heat your olive oil in the microwave {or on top of stove} for about 20 seconds.  Oil should be very warm but not steaming hot!
• Place your annatto seeds into your warm oil.  Let your seeds soak overnight {or if you’re the impatient type a few hours, but the color might not be as strong}.
• Strain the annatto seeds out of your oil and save the oil {this is your colorant}.  You can save the seeds for another use, just rinse them out and let them dry.
• Cut 30 oz. of your organic soap base into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Place your 30 oz. of soap in a microwavable glass measuring cup in the microwave and heat for 1 minute and 30 seconds.  If you have a few small chunks of soap left stir slowly until melted.  If your soap chunks are still large melt for 15 more seconds.
• Add 3-4 tablespoons of your annatto seed colorant and stir slowly into soap base until well incorporated.  Don’t worry if the color looks too light, it will darken as the soap hardens.  We don’t want to add too much oil colorant because this can decrease your lather.
• Let your soap cool.  This is very important.  Let your soap cool down to about 120 degrees, even lower is better.  It will help your essential oils behave better in your soap!  If a skin forms on top of your soap while it is cooling just stir it back into your soap or get a fork and remove it.
• While your soap is cooling  pour 3/4 of an ounce of your orange essential oil into a small glass bowl.
• Next add about 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil to the same bowl.  Don’t worry if the peppermint hijacks your orange oil!  The peppermint will be stronger but will fade slightly.  This is normal.  We use the peppermint to create creaminess in the orange essential oil.
• When you have cooled your soap add your essential oils and stir {not too vigorously, it will add bubbles {air} to your soap} until well blended.
• Pour soap base into your mold but hold back an ounce or two of soap.  Let set for 1 hour or until the top becomes very firm.  This is your first layer of the soap.
• After your soap has set sprinkle about a tablespoon of poppy seeds on top of your soap.  Heat the soap you held back {about 10 seconds} and pour over the poppy seeds to help them adhere to the layer of soap.
• Cut 12 oz. of the remaining soap base and place into the microwave.  Heat for 30 seconds.  This is your top layer.  When soap has cooled down add a few drops of orange essential oil {about 10} and 1-2 drops of peppermint right into your soap base.
• Lightly score {with a fork or small knife make a series of small lines in the soap, this lets the first layer adhere better} the first layer of your soap.  Spritz some rubbing alcohol on your first layer of soap.  Let sit 5-10 seconds and then pour the rest of your melted soap base on top of your first layer.
• When the final layer of soap has set sprinkle your poppy seeds on top of the soap.  You can adhere the seeds by pouring a small bit of melted soap over them.