Before I wandered into the world of homemade products, I always wondered, “Why would someone opt for homemade products, especially for something as basic as soap?” Was it really too much trouble to go out there and pick up a pack of soap at the supermarket or the chemists? And in the grand scheme of things, soap was not really expensive either, so saving money by making homemade would be out of the question.
But I eventually made my way to the other side when I realised that I didn’t know all of the ingredients that were being poured into my bath. Once I realised that most of the ingredients were synthetic and were harming my skin more than benefiting it, I knew I had to make a change.
Making my own soap seemed like the perfect solution. An added bonus was that making a homemade soap is neither difficult nor time consuming.
Below are recipes for two of my favourite homemade soaps – almond rose soap, which is a fragrant soap that gently cleanses, and cinnamon soap, which is a rich and spicy soap that nourishes your skin. Made with absolutely natural ingredients, these soaps will benefit your spirits as well as your skin!
Almond Rose Soap
Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp dried red rose petals
• 8 oz. pure soap flakes
• ²∕₃ cup boiling water
• ½ cup rose water
• 2 tbsp ground almonds
• 9 drops geranium essential oil
1. Pound the rose petals with a mortar and pestle. In a large bowl, combine the ground petals, soap, and water and stir until smooth. If the soap starts to solidify, place the bowl over near-boiling water.
2. Stir in the rose water and ground almonds. Allow to cool. Stir in the essential oil.
3. Shape the mixture into six balls and flatten them slightly. Allow the soap to harden between sheets of wax paper. Keep unused soap in a cool, dark place until needed.
Cinnamon Soap
Ingredients:
• 2 pounds leftover soap
• 1 tbsp spring water
• 1 tsp glycerin
• ½ tsp cinnamon essential oil
• 1 tbsp sweet orange essential oil
• 10 drops clove bud essential oil
1. Coarsely grate the scraps of soap into a large mixing bowl. Add the spring water, glycerin, and essential oils. Mix well.
2. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and allow it to stand for about 15 minutes, until the soap is slightly soft and pliable. If your soap scraps are fairly new, they may be soft and not need much softening time.
3. Scoop the mixture up by the handful and press or roll it into small balls. Compress it tightly. Place on wax paper. Allow the soap balls to dry and harden for a day or two.
Kanika is a professional make-up and henna artist, offering LIVE makeup classes and services in the Greater Toronto Area. She also does one on one skin consultations. Her services include: make-up parties, photo-shoots, bridal make-up, special occasion make-up, makeovers, shopping consultations, henna application and more! Visit her website at www.beautyglamsham.com
