This balanced cold process formulation relies on Coconut Oil for rich cleansing lather, Shea and Cocoa Butters for hardness and skin nourishment, and Olive Oil for gentle moisturizing. Dispersing French Pink Clay into the water phase provides a delicate natural color and silky slip, while a 33% water discount ensures faster unmoulding and firm bars.
Lye Solution & Oils (454g Batch | 6% Superfat)
1 tsp French Pink Clay + 124g Distilled Water
62g Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
114g Refined Coconut Oil & 68g Refined Shea Butter
45g Cocoa Butter
204g Olive Oil & 23g Castor Oil
14g Essential Oils (Rose Geranium, Lavender, Ylang Ylang)
1 tbsp Dried Petals (Rose, Lavender, Calendula)
Required Equipment
Medium stainless steel pot (±2.5 L)
Immersion blender (stick blender)
Digital thermometer & digital kitchen scale
Silicone spatula & heatproof jug
Square silicone soap mould (1 lb capacity)
Step 1: Prep Lye & Melt Oils
Disperse French Pink Clay in Distilled Water. Wear protective gear, then slowly add Sodium Hydroxide to the clay water (never reverse!) and stir until clear. Cool in a water bath.
Gently melt Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Cocoa Butter on low heat. Remove from heat and stir in Olive and Castor oils.
Ensure both lye solution and oil mixture cool to approximately 38 °C (100 °F).
Step 2: Emulsify, Mold & Cure
Pour lye solution into oils and stick-blend to a light trace. Stir in essential oils until homogenous.
Pour into your silicone mould and crown with dried floral petals.
Allow to set undisturbed for 48 hours. Unmould, cut into bars, and allow to cure in a cool, dry space for 4 weeks before use!
Each natural fat, clay, and essential oil contributes to saponification and bar performance:
French Pink Clay: A gentle mineral clay that imparts a romantic dusty pink hue while providing smooth slip and mild detoxifying benefits.
Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter: Hard vegetable fats rich in non-saponifiable fatty acids that create a firm, long-lasting bar and moisturize skin.
Castor & Coconut Oils: Coconut oil drives big, cleansing bubbles, while Castor oil acts as a lather booster to keep foam dense and creamy.
Floral Essential Oils: Rose Geranium, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang offer a calming, fresh floral aroma that stays fragrant throughout the cure time.
Q: Why is a 4-week curing period necessary for cold process soap?
A: Curing allows excess water to evaporate, making the soap bar harder, longer-lasting, and milder on skin as the pH neutralizes.
Q: How can I keep the dried petals on top from turning brown?
A: Petals soften and darken over time due to humidity and alkali residual. Adding petals strictly to the top surface after pour and storing cured bars in a cool, dark room preserves natural color.
Q: What does a 6% superfat mean in this recipe?
A: Superfatting means 6% of the oils remain unsaponified by lye, providing extra emollients to condition and moisturize skin during washing.
Master the art of cold process soap making! Refined Naturals provides pure Sodium Hydroxide (Lye), unrefined & refined plant butters, natural clays, pure essential oils, and silicone soap moulds.
