All Natural Liquid Soap

I know soap isn't something to be eaten, but everyone must washes their hands right? Right!? God, I hope so. I've always been obsessive about washing my hands, so I make sure to use a good moisturizing soap. Last week I was looking at the ingredients to see what made up my soap. I have to say I consider myself a smart person, but I didn't know what 1/2 of the ingredients were, what they were there for or how to pronounce them! I try to use natural products when I can, but the natural liquid hand soaps always seem to be so expensive and make my hands dry. What's a girl to do? Make her own soap, that's what!

Being 2011 I did what any person would do - jump on the Internet. I found tons of ways to make and customize your own liquid soap, but the one I chose was super easy to do with ingredients I didn't have to use beakers to make.

I used one 4 oz. bar of of Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk and Shea Butter (chop it up, finely) and one gallon of distilled water. You heat the water until it begins to boil. Once it starts boiling take it off the heat and add the chopped soap. Let sit for 15 minutes to melt down. Once it's melted give it a good stir. If you have any extra ingredients to give your soap an extra umph add them in now. Let sit overnight to thicken. Stir, let sit 10 min. You're all ready to go for some hand washin!

What I added in: One cup of strong green tea adds antioxidants. I used a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil to moisturize and 2 tsp of honey to restore damaged skin and help retain it's moisture. Real honey people. Not that fake flavored syrup junk. Honey is one of the most amazing things that can be found in nature! I added 1/2 cup of rose water to act as a natural anti-inflammatory for itchy dry skin. A couple drops of *Lemongrass essential oil were added in as an antibacterial and a spirit lifter. You don't have to use it if you don't want to, but I did since the lemongrass scent and properties were apealling for kitchen use. Finally to top it all off, a leaf off of Spike, my aloe vera.

The result is a slightly thicker than Dr. Bronner's viscosity. You can use less liquid if you want really thick liquid soap. I apologize for not having pictures. My camera is out of batteries, and I've yet to go and get some. Eep!



*Some people may have a reaction to this oil. Test a small amount on skin if you're not sure. If you do have a reaction put vegetable oil on it. It acts as a diluter to reduce discomfort.