Glycerin Soap Recipe for Easy Soap Making

If you are a newbie in soap making, it will be best to start with a glycerin soap recipe. Glycerine soaps are least intimidating because they do not involve the use of lye and fats.

Aside from being easy to make, glycerin soaps make good quality soaps. A glycerine soap is a naturally gentle skin moisturizing soap which does not contain harsh ingredients.

Materials Needed for Glycerin Soap Making

Glycerin soaps are generally made via the melt and pour method. To make handcrafted glycerin soap, you simply need a pure glycerin soap base, fragrance, colorants and other additives for a good formulation.

You will also need a microwave oven or a double boiler (temperature not exceeding 60C or 140F). You will also need a soap mold, some metal spoons, measuring spoons, a food scale, and a thermometer. To remove bubbles, a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol will come handy.

How to Make Glycerin Soap? 7 Steps Guide

Here is a step by step guide to making melt and pour glycerin soap:

1. Prepare a pound of glycerin soap base on a pot or in a microwaveable container. Heat the base to around 55C or 155F then remove from the heat.
2. Add in coloring into the melted base and mix well. Be wary about bubbles forming and spray with rubbing alcohol.
3. Add in fragrance and other desired additives and mix thoroughly.
4. Once everything is mixed well and no bubbles are formed, pour in the mixture into your soap mold.
5. If bubbles form, allow it to get to the top then spray with alcohol to make them disappear.
6. Set the soap aside for thirty minutes to an hour then put in a freezer for about thirty minutes.
7. Allow to sit for a few minutes then unmold.

As you can see with these simple instructions, glycerine soap making is one of the easiest ways to make your own soap. You can make one in as short as an hour.

You can vary your glycerin soap formulation by varying the ingredients used. You can add essential oils such as vanilla, rosemary, lavender, orange or chamomile for a sweet smelling soap. You can also put in vitamins and minerals for a healthier, nourishing soap.

The key to proper glycerin soap making is to keep the heat as low as possible. A murky or beaded appearance may result if you heat the glycerin loaf soap base. It is also best if you tightly wrap with a good plastic after unmolding to prevent attracting moisture.

You can come up with your very own glycerin soap recipe to fit your preferences. Whichever ingredients you choose to add in, glycerin soap making will surely provide you the most convenient and enjoyable soap making experience.

Pros of Glycerin Soap:

1. Ease of Use: Glycerin soap is simple to prepare and suitable for beginners. Because pre-made glycerin soap bases are easily accessible, there is no need to handle lye.
2. Transparency and Clarity: Glycerin soap is transparent and clear, allowing for the insertion of various colours, glitters, and embeds. It has the ability to generate aesthetically pleasing designs and patterns.
3. Moisturizing Properties: Glycerin is a humectant, which means it draws moisture to the skin. Glycerin soap can help the skin retain moisture, making it soft and moisturised.
4. Gentle on the Skin: Glycerin soap is often thought to be mild and ideal for delicate skin. It does not remove natural oils and is frequently devoid of harsh ingredients.
5. Versatility: Glycerin soap is versatile since it may be customised with numerous ingredients such as essential oils, exfoliants, botanicals, and perfumes.

Cons of Glycerin Soap:

1. Ingredient Control: When you utilise pre-made glycerin soap bases, you have less control over the precise components used. Some bases may contain chemicals or synthetic scents that you do not want to use.
2. Soft feel: When compared to regular cold-process soap, glycerin soap has a relatively soft feel. This can make it less durable and more prone to melting in humid situations.
3. Limited Lather: Glycerin soap produces a softer lather than other soap varieties. If you desire a thick and copious lather, glycerin soap may fall short.

Alternatives to Glycerin Soap:

1. Cold-Process Soap: Cold-process soap provides you total control over ingredients and can result in a tougher, longer-lasting bar with plentiful lather if you’re comfortable dealing with lye. It does, however, take more time and patience.
2. Melt and Pour Soap: Like glycerin soap, melt and pour soap uses pre-made soap bases. Melt and pour bases, on the other hand, come in a variety of formulas, allowing you to select from a broader selection of ingredients and qualities.
3. Hot-Process Soap: Another option that includes boiling the soap mixture is hot-process soap. It enables more customisation and the addition of various oils and additives, while also speeding up the saponification process.
4. Liquid Soap: To make liquid soap, potassium hydroxide (potash) is used instead of sodium hydroxide (lye). It produces liquid soap.

Summary

Each soap-making method has its own set of advantages and considerations. It’s important to research and follow appropriate recipes and safety precautions for the specific soap-making technique you choose. Consider your preferences, skill level, and desired outcome when selecting the soap-making method that suits you best.