How to Make Aloe Vera Soap at Home
Aloe vera is an excellent plant for skin care because it helps regenerate skin tissues and always keep them healthy and hydrated. In this oneHOWTO article, we will focus on how to make aloe vera soap, which is ideal for treating irritated, chapped or blotchy skin. It might also be helpful for acne, psoriasis and other skin disorders. With this very simple method you can make this natural soap at home. This method doesn't require a soap base, but it does need to use lye.
You'll need:
- To make 1kg of aloe vera soap you will need:
- 110g aloe vera pulp
- 110ml caustic soda
- 750ml olive oil
- 250ml water
- Essential oil (optional)
What do you need to make homemade aloe vera soap?
To make this homemade aloe vera soap you will need:
- Aloe vera gel
- Olive oil
- Distilled water
- Caustic soda (lye)
- An essential oil of your choice
The essential oil is used to scent the soap, but it is possible to use it without. Don't use anything which might irritate your skin. It is also possible to make soap with used oil. Some methods of making aloe vera soap require you to use a soap base, but this defeats the purpose. This homemade soap method is from scratch.
However, the reason many people use a base soap is because without it you will need to use a substance like lye. Lye, otherwise known as caustic soda, is a very corrosive substance which can react if not use properly. This is why you will also need:
- A well-ventilated area
- Rubber gloves
- Protective eyewear
Now that you know what you need to make homemade aloe vera soap, you can follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Steps to making homemade aloe vera soap
First, boil the water and then pour it into a plastic container.
Leave the water to cool to room temperature (about an hour) and then add the caustic soda. Adding lye to water releases fumes. If you add it to boiling water it is dangerous. It can boil over and burn your skin. This is why it is a good idea to do this in an open space or in a well-ventilated area. Wear gloves due to the corrosiveness of the lye.
You need to next cut open the aloe vera to take out the pulp using a knife and a spoon. Beat the aloe vera pulp and temper the olive oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
When the mixture has cooled it is time to gradually add some olive oil. Don't forget to keep stirring the mixture in the same direction until you feel it thicken.
Now add the aloe vera to the mixture and stir. When it is almost set, if you want to you can add in a little essential oil such as lavender, rose, sage, etc.
Finally, when you get an even mixture, just pour it into a mould, which is broad and shallow. The next day, it will have turned into a solid mass allowing you to cut the aloe vera soap into pieces. Then you must let the pieces sit for 15-30 days to give them enough time to harden before you can start using them.
If you have enjoyed this article, at oneHOWTO you can also see how to make aloe vera lotion as well as how to make DIY bath bombs.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Aloe Vera Soap at Home, we recommend you visit our Beauty & Personal Care category.
