Hibiscus petal powder cold process soap recipe
Recipe Instructions
Ingredients
- Lye Solution
- Distilled Water: 8.95oz
- Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) Flakes: 4.48 oz
- Oil Blend
- Olive Oil: 16 oz
- Coconut Oil (76°): 8 oz
- Palm Oil: 8 oz
- Additives
- Hibiscus Petals Powder: 1-2 Tbsp (or to desired exfoliation/color)
- Red Hibiscus & Acai Fragrance Oil (or essential oil blend): 1.4 oz
- Optional: Mica Powder (Crimson Red Wine or Sexy Pink Slippers) for color enhancement
Equipment
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Heat-resistant containers (preferably stainless steel or silicone)
- Digital scale
- Immersion blender
- Thermometer
- Soap mold
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring spoons
Instructions
- Safety First: Put on your safety goggles and gloves. Ensure proper ventilation in your workspace.
- Prepare the Lye Solution: Carefully weigh the distilled water and lye flakes into separate heat-resistant containers. Slowly and carefully add the lye flakes to the water, stirring gently with a plastic stirring rod until fully dissolved. Never add water to lye. The solution will heat up significantly; allow it to cool to approximately 90-100°F (32-38°C).
- Prepare the Oil Blend: Weigh and combine the olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil in a large container. Gently heat the solid oils until they are fully melted. Stir well to combine all oils.
- Combine Lye Solution and Oil Blend: Once the lye solution and oil blend have reached the desired temperature (90-100°F), slowly and carefully pour the lye solution into the oils.
- Achieve Trace: Use the immersion blender to mix the lye solution and oils. Blend in short bursts, alternating with hand stirring, until the mixture thickens to a light trace (resembles a thin pudding).
- Add Hibiscus Powder and Fragrance: Incorporate the hibiscus powder and fragrance oil into the soap mixture. Blend briefly to ensure even distribution.
- Pour into Mold: Carefully pour the soap mixture into your prepared soap mold.
- Insulate and Set: Cover the mold with a lid or cardboard and wrap it with a towel or blanket for insulation. This helps the soap reach the gel phase and develop its hardness. Let the soap harden for 24-48 hours.
- Unmold and Cut: Once the soap has hardened, carefully remove it from the mold. If needed, you can place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to aid release. Cut the soap into bars of the desired size and shape.
- Curing: Arrange the soap bars on a drying rack in a well-ventilated area for a minimum of 4-6 weeks to cure. This allows the saponification process to complete fully and the water to evaporate, resulting in a harder, longer-lasting bar of soap.
Notes
- Color Expectation: It's important to note that while hibiscus tea is vibrant red, the color in cold process soap will typically shift towards a brown or cream color due to the saponification process.
- Hibiscus Powder Amount: You can adjust the amount of hibiscus powder used based on your preference for exfoliation and desired color intensity. Adding mica powder can further enhance the color, according to Wholesale Supplies Plus.
- Superfatting: The oils in this recipe are formulated with a 5-8% superfat, which means there is a slight excess of oils to ensure a gentle and moisturizing bar of soap.
- Variations: Experiment with different essential oil blends to customize the fragrance of your hibiscus soap. You can also explore adding other natural additives, such as clays or colloidal oatmeal, for additional skin benefits.
Disclaimer: Soap making with lye involves handling a corrosive chemical. Always prioritize safety by wearing protective gear and working in a well-ventilated area. If you are new to cold-process soap making, it's recommended that you research the process thoroughly before attempting this recipe.
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Soap Properties
Highlighted gray ranges represent recommended ranges for each property.
100
80
60
40
20
0
INS: 153.25 (ideal)
iodine: 58.25 (ideal)
Calculated Values for Oils and Preferences
| Superfat % | 5% |
| Saturated | 12.60 Ounce(s) |
| Mono-Unsaturated | 15.28 Ounce(s) |
| Poly-Unsaturated | 2.56 Ounce(s) |
| Saturated:Unsaturated Ratio | 58.61:41.39 |
| Lye concentration | 100% |
| Weight Unit | Ounce(s) |
| Soap type | solid |
Fatty Acid Profile
| Oleic | 47.75% |
| Linoleic | 8% |
| Linolenic | 0% |
| Ricinoleic | 0% |
| Lauric | 12% |
| Myristic | 5% |
| Palmitic | 18.50% |
| Stearic | 3.88% |
Recommended Additive Amounts
Swipe on table to see all values
For Advanced Soapmakers
| Sodium Lactate (60%)
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| Recommended Essential/Fragrance Oil | 1.40 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Ascorbic Acid
| 0.32 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Extra Lye to Neutralize Ascorbic Acid for A.A. | NaOH: 0.06 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Lactic Acid
| 0.24 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Extra Lye to Neutralize Lactic Acid for L.A. | NaOH: 0.14 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Tetrasodium EDTA
| 0.23 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Sodium Citrate
| 0.42 - 1.25 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Potassium Citrate
| 0.51 - 1.54 Ounce(s) | ||||||
| Rosemary Oleoresin (ROE)
| 0.01 - 0.02 Ounce(s) | ||||||
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Citric Acid Powder (anhydrous) |
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Extra Lye to Neutralize Citric Acid Powder for C.A. |
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