Lemongrass Essential Oil Shea Butter Soap

I love the smell of lemongrass. It is so refreshing and just makes everything feel fresh and clean. That’s why when I decided to make my latest batch of soap, I chose to use the lemongrass essential oil from Puritan’s Pride. Traditionally, lemongrass aromatherapy has been used for cleansing and purifying as well as providing a feeling of tranquility and serenity. This is why it would be perfect for soap.

Making your own soap is actually quite easy. Here is what you will need:

• Melt and pour soap base
• Microwave-safe glass container 
• Lemongrass essential oil
• Yellow coloring
• Soap mold

Start by cutting the melt and pour soap into smaller pieces. The soap base usually comes in a large block and it is easier to work with when it is smaller. Plus, this will make it easier to melt. I chose a shea butter soap base, but you can also find it in a variety of other consistencies. You can purchase the base online or even at your local craft store.

After you have cut the soap into smaller pieces, place it in a microwave-safe container (I chose Pyrex measuring glasses). I am planning on doing two-colored soaps so I divided the soap base between two glasses. Melt whichever color you want to do first. Microwave the soap in 30 second increments so not to over-melt it and potentially burn the soap. 

Once the soap is completely melted, you should no longer have any chunks and it will be a smooth consistency.

Put a few drops of coloring and the lemongrass essential oil to the soap base. You don’t want to put too much coloring in the soap as you don’t want it to stain your skin when you use it. The same goes for the essential oil fragrance. You want it to be noticeable but not overpowering. 

After mixing in the color and the fragrance you can pour your mixture into the soap mold. As I said before, I am making a two-colored soap so I poured in the white first. You will want to let the first color cool before pouring in the second color in order to keep them from mixing together. 

After the white cooled, I did the same process as above with the yellow coloring. Once it has melted and color and fragrance have been added, I poured the yellow on top of the white.

You will also want to spritz a little bit of rubbing alcohol on the top of the soap in order to break any bubbles that may form. This isn’t essential, but will give it a better look. 

Let the soap cool until it has completely hardened. This will probably take a couple of hours. Once the soap has hardened, just pop it out of the mold and you are good to go! Take a shower and enjoy the refreshing lemongrass scent.

Although I used lemongrass in this recipe, you can use whatever essential oil you would like to fragrance the soap. Some of the other options from Puritan’s Pride include:

• Lavender Essential Oil: Traditional Uses: Tranquility and serenity, meditation, used for massage.
• Geranium Essential Oil: Traditional Uses: Cleansing, purifying,  and uplifting
• Bergamont Essential Oil: Traditional Uses: purifying and cleansing, tranquility and serenity, meditation.
• Rosewood Essential Oil: Traditional Uses: Respiratory health, rejuvenating especially when rubbed on the temples, sensuality, skin health.

All of these would be perfect for soap making. Please note, that these essential oils are for external use only. They should only be used when diluted and not used directly on the skin. 

Just in time for Mother’s Day I have the opportunity to give away a set of 5 Puritan’s Pride Essential Oils (Lemongrass, Lavender, Geranium, Bergamont, and Rosewood) to one lucky reader. Just enter using the form below. The giveaway will run through 11:59 EST on May 9, 2015. In addition, if you order from Puritan’s Pride before June 30, 2015 you can take advantage of the coupon code AROMAMD. It’s good for $5 off a $25 purchase in Aromatherapy.

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