Melt and pour soap is a popular DIY soap base that allows people to create their own unique soaps with a wide variety of colors, scents, and ingredients. However, some say that it can leave the skin feeling dry and tight. The good news is you can make melt and pour soap more moisturizing, so let’s dive in and explore some of the best options.
Make melt and pour soap more moisturizing by adding oil or butter to your recipe. You can use natural oils like jojoba or avocado oil, and hydrating additives such as aloe vera, honey, or vegetable glycerin. You can also use milk or yogurt and essential oils for extra hydration.
While some additives are beneficial, it is important to not use too many additives. Adding too many additives can make your soap soft and prevent it from ever fully hardening. A general rule of thumb is to use no more than a teaspoon of additive per pound of soap. Let’s take a closer look at this issue and some of the available solutions.
Increasing Melt and Pour Soap Moisturization
Use a High-Quality Melt and Pour Base
The first step to making more moisturizing melt and pour soap is to choose a high-quality base. Not all melt and pour bases are created equal, and some are more moisturizing than others.
Look for a base that contains glycerin, which is a natural humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Shea butter and coconut oil are also great ingredients to look for in a melt and pour base, as they have excellent moisturizing properties.
Add Natural Oils and Butters
In addition to choosing a high-quality base, you can also add natural oils and butters to your melt and pour soap to make it more moisturizing. Some great options include:
- Jojoba oil: This oil is similar in composition to the natural oils in our skin, so it is easily absorbed and helps to keep the skin hydrated.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it a great choice for nourishing and moisturizing the skin.
- Cocoa butter: Cocoa butter is a natural emollient that helps to soften and moisturize the skin. It is also high in antioxidants, which can help to protect the skin from damage.
- Shea butter: Shea butter is another excellent emollient that is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It helps to soothe and moisturize dry, itchy skin.
Use Hydrating Additives
Another way to make melt and pour soap more moisturizing is to add hydrating additives. Some options include:
- Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera gel is a natural moisturizer that also has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It can help to relieve dry, irritated skin.
- Honey: Honey is a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It is also high in antioxidants, making it great for reducing the signs of aging.
- Vegetable glycerin: Vegetable glycerin is a natural humectant that helps to attract moisture to the skin. It also has a cooling and soothing effect on the skin.
Add Milk or Yogurt
Milk and yogurt are excellent natural moisturizers that can be added to melt and pour soap to make it more hydrating. Both contain lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate and soften the skin, and they also have natural fats and proteins that help to moisturize and soothe dry skin.
To use milk or yogurt in your melt and pour soap, simply melt the soap base as usual and then stir in a small amount of milk or yogurt before pouring it into your molds.
Use Essential Oils
Finally, using essential oils in your melt and pour soap can help to make it more moisturizing. Some essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, and rose, are known for their soothing and hydrating properties.
They can help to calm and moisturize dry, irritated skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. Be sure to use high-quality, pure essential oils and to follow recommended dilution ratios when adding them to your soap.
Best Moisturizing Melt and Pour Soap Bases
Here are some of the best moisturizing melt and pour soap bases you can choose from:
Shea Butter Soap Base
This melt and pour soap base is made with 5% unrefined shea butter and is known for its moisturizing properties. It is also rich in vitamins A, E, and F, making it ideal for dry and sensitive skin.
Goat Milk Soap Base
Goat milk soap is known for its gentle cleansing and moisturizing properties. This melt and pour soap base is made with real goat milk and is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish and hydrate the skin.
Honey Soap Base
Honey has natural antibacterial properties and is known to moisturize and soothe the skin. This melt and pour soap base is made with real honey and is ideal for dry and sensitive skin types.
Aloe Vera Soap Base
Aloe vera is known for its healing and moisturizing properties. This melt and pour soap base is made with real aloe vera and is ideal for soothing and hydrating dry, irritated, or sunburned skin.
Cocoa Butter Soap Base
Cocoa butter is known for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. This melt and pour soap base is made with 5% unrefined cocoa butter and is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that nourish and protect the skin. It is ideal for dry, mature, or damaged skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common additives used in melt and pour soap making include essential oils, fragrance oils, colorants, exfoliants, and botanicals.
Yes, fresh herbs or fruit can be added to melt and pour soap. However, they can cause the soap to spoil more quickly and may not retain their color or texture.
The recommended amount of fragrance oil to add to melt and pour soap is about 0.5-1 oz per pound of soap base. However, the exact amount may vary based on the type of fragrance oil and personal preference.
Yes, coffee grounds can be used as an exfoliant in melt and pour soap. However, it is recommended to use finely ground coffee to avoid scratching the skin and to add the coffee grounds after the soap has cooled slightly to prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making melt and pour soap more moisturizing is easy with the right ingredients and additives. By choosing a high-quality base, adding natural oils and butters, using hydrating additives, adding milk or yogurt, and using essential oils, you can create a soap that will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.
As with any soap, be sure to read the instructions on the package before getting started and use caution when handling hot liquids. With some care and creativity, you can make your own unique, moisturizing soap!
