Shea Butter Soap

Shea Butter Guest Soaps

Inspired by a simple recipe in The Everything Soapmaking Book, I custom-make my soaps with moisturizing shea butter and beeswax for its emolliency. I love the luxurious lather, that is creamy and silky at the same time.

Shea Butter Soap
10 oz. light olive oil
6 oz. coconut oil
1 T. shea butter
6 fl. oz. water
2.25 oz. lye (NaOH)
1 T. fragrance oil (optional: I highly recommend Brambleberry's Fresh Zucchini Flower)

Technique: cold process
Target temps: 110–150°F (higher temp* if using beewax or small molds)
Mold requirements: 3 cup capacity
Time in molds: 48+ hrs
Time to maturity: 4 weeks

Final Results: 16 guest-size moisturizing bars
Color: creamy white
Aroma: softly floral
Lather: low

*High temperature encourages faster trace. Hand whisk to ensure complete emulsification/thorough saponification. Have simple molds ready. If you use a stick blender and wind up with a heavy trace, the batter may be too thick in detailed molds.