Today I am going to be sharing how to make a cold process soap using a faux funnel pour technique. This technique is fairly easy and will bring a lot of pattern to your soap without the need of any special equipment. This soap is scented with lemon eucalyptus essential oil and is palm free.
The recipe for this soap is as follows:
Sweet Almond Oil 5%
Castor Oil 5%
Rice Bran Oil 5%
Shea Butter 15%
Coconut Oil 30%
Olive Oil 40%
Superfat 5%
Water as % of oils 35%
As you see, the recipe is in percentages as the amount of each oil/fat used will vary based on the size of your mold. If you are not familiar with calculating your soap recipes in percentages, I suggest using a soap calculator to help you determine the proper measurements. You will just plug in the percentages listed above along with the total weights of your oils and fats and the calculator will give you the proper percentages needed. Here is the link to the free soap calculator that I use.
I also replaced 7oz of my water with coconut milk so if you choose to do the same you will want to discount your water accordingly.
Measure out your lye and distilled water combine(always add your lye into your water, not the other way around) and allow to come to your preferred soaping temperature. Personally I prefer to soap at room temperature.
While your lye water is cooling go ahead and combine your fats and oils and then melt. Once everything is combined allow to cool to your preferred soaping temperature and then add in your coconut milk and blend till combined.
I usually prepare my micas and essential oils while I am waiting for my lye water and oils/flats to come to temperature. For this soap I use Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil and for the colorants I used Rainforest, Tropical Teal & Rapunzel all from Nurture Soap.
Once everything has come to temperature, carefully pour your lye water into your oils/fats and blend to emulsion. You can also add in your essential oil at this point as well and whisk until combined.
Now split your batter into three separate parts, they do not have to be equal and blend or whisk in your colorants.
For the faux funnel pour you will now in a separate container alternatingly pour in one color at a time to the center of the container until you have no batter left.
Now it is time to pour your soap batter into your mold. Be sure to tap down the mold to get rid of any air pockets in the batter once you are finished pouring.
For the top of this soap I sprinkled on some lemon peel and chamomile flowers.
Allow your soap to set up for 18 to 24 hrs(or until it releases easily from the mold) before removing from the mold. I typically let my soap loaf sit for 2-4 hrs after I take it out of the mold before I cut the soap. Once the soap has been cut it will need to cure for 4-6 weeks before use.
Please be sure that you have educated yourself on lye safety before making a cold process soap. This link has some great videos from Brambleberry on beginner cold process soapmaking to help you get started making cold process soap.