Midnight Lavender Soap
Formula: CP109 Difficulty level: medium Shelf life: min 12 months Superfat: 6%

For details of the terms used and how to work, and for your safety, please see before COLD PROCESS SOAP MAKING GUIDE

Ingredients for about 1 kg of soap

Coconut Oil RBD

Olive oil organic

Argan Oil

Shea Butter purified

Sodium hydroxide

Distilled water

Lavender essential oil

Alkanet root powder

Titanium dioxide

Lavender flowers dried

Quantity

493 gr

62 gr

30 gr

30 gr

98,5 gr

222 gr

45 gr

2 tbsp shaved

1 tbsp grated

2-3 tbsp

1. The day before making the soap, prepare the alkanet macerate by mixing alkanet powder with argan and olive oil. The macerate is stirred from time to time.

2. Before you start preparing the soap prepare all utensils and equipment on the workbench to be within reach.
Carry out the necessary ingredient weighings from the recipe.
Mix the titanium dioxide into two tablespoons of argan oil and set aside.

3. Weigh the amount of caustic soda and water separately.
In a heatproof bowl add the distilled water, over which, in an airy room, add the Sodium Hydroxide a little at a time and stir slowly, carefully, until it dissolves completely and the solution becomes transparent. Allow the solution to cool to about 40°C.

4. Pass the alkanet macerate through a filter, then add the shea butter and coconut butter and heat on a water bath until the composition becomes fluid. Allow to cool to 40°C.

5. Transfer the oils to a container with a volume greater than 1 litre, preferably 1.5-2 litres, or use the container in which the oils were heated if it is large enough. Slowly pour the sodium hydroxide solution over the oils. Both should be of similar temperature.

6. Place the blender in the bowl and blend until the mixture becomes the consistency of a more liquid pudding, at which point add the lavender essential oil. Incorporate the essential oil into the soap mixture by slow, thorough mixing. Some, about a quarter of the soap is transferred to a smaller container. To this portion add the dispersed titanium dioxide. Mix thoroughly with the blender.

7. First transfer the darker composition to the soap mould, over which the titanium dioxide composition is poured. Shape the surface of the soap with a teaspoon and sprinkle with lavender flowers

8. Cover with foil and leave for 2 days in a cool place. Once the soap has hardened, it can be removed from the mould and cut to the desired size.
The soap is then left to ripen in a well-ventilated space, on shelves or in covered boxes (but not closed to allow air circulation). Maturation takes a minimum of 4 weeks from the date of production, during which time the soap is not used as it is still reactive.

Required utensils: 2 heat-resistant pots (300 ml and 1.5 l); block soap mould; wooden soap cutter box; straight soap cutter; reusable filter; spatula; kitchen blender

Reviews

E
Ellemental
28 Jan
Hello, Replacing oils in a calculated cold soap recipe generally requires recalculating the recipe. Without recalculating, instead of argan oil we recommend using grapeseed oil and testing the formula on a smaller amount. Good luck!
i
ivascu m.
28 Jan
Hello!I would like to replace the argan oil in this recipe with another oil more affordable in price!Please tell me which oils have saponification indexes similar to argan oil, with which I could make the replacement in this recipe.And another request:on the net there are various lists with saponification indexes of oils, but they differ quite a lot!Where can I get the most accurate information?Thank you very much!
E
Ellemental
22 Jan
Hi Andreea, You can replace the refined shea butter with the unrefined one, as the saponification indexes are identical. Good luck!
A
Andreea B.
22 Jan
Hello. Can you use unrefined shea butter?
E
Ellemental
11 Jun 2024
Hi Irina, Marigold extract is added to formulations at a temperature below 45°C. As cold process soaps during gelling heat well above this temperature, we do not recommend adding this ingredient to soaps.
I
Irina p.
29 May 2024
Good evening, I would like to add extract of ylang ylang, is it possible? What quantity? Thank you for all you do! For years I no longer buy creams , thanks to your recipes I have the best creams , now I am trying to make homemade soap , I hope it will come out as it should...
C
Cristina M.
08 Feb 2023
Thank you so much! I wish you all the best!
E
Ellemental N.
08 Feb 2023
Hello Cristina, Since argan oil and apricot oil have the same saponification index, you can make the substitution without recalculating the recipe. Good luck!
C
Cristina M.
08 Feb 2023
Hello. Can we replace argan oil with apricot oil?
C
Cornelia P.
24 Oct 2022
Thanks! I did :) You are wonderful, and I am addicted to your recipes :)
E
Ellemental A.
24 Oct 2022
Hello! Add more olive oil, up to 92 gr. Good luck!
C
Cornelia P.
23 Oct 2022
Hello! After straining the alkanet powder, 63 g of argan oil + olive oil remained. In the recipe the total of olive and argan oil is 92g. Should I add more or is it ok as it is left? Thanks in advance for your answer ?
M
Magdalena N.
06 Feb 2022
an organic soap with a spectacular smell .
E
Ellemental
04 Feb 2022
Hello! Substitute we cannot recommend, possibly remove this ingredient from the recipe, but the appearance of the soap will be different.
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Irina A.
29 Jan 2022
Hello, what can replace titanium dioxide?
I
Iulia D.
26 Oct 2021
It turned out perfect! Thanks so much for the recipe :)
E
Ellemental
03 Sep 2021
Hello! The titanium dioxide is mixed with two tablespoons of argan oil separated by 30 g, but you can also use another vegetable oil. Good luck!
I
Iulia D.
02 Sep 2021
Hello, In the description I see the following step: titanium dioxide is mixed in two tablespoons of argan oil and set aside. Is the 2 tablespoons of argan oil separate from the 30g mentioned in the ingredients list or do I add it from the macerated mixture? Can another oil be used in place of the argan oil for the titanium dioxide mixture? Thanks!
E
Ellemental
13 May 2021
Hello! No, but you can use a smaller amount if you like.
C
Cristina
11 May 2021
Hello. Don't you think it's too much lavender essential oil?