DIY Cold Processed conditioning Oat Soap formula
In the world of natural skincare, cold-processed soaps have gained a reputation for their gentle, nourishing, and skin-loving properties. Among these, cold-processed oat soap stands out as a true gem, especially when crafted with premium ingredients like shea butter, oat oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). This soap is not just a cleansing bar; it’s a luxurious treat for your skin, packed with moisturizing, soothing, and rejuvenating benefits. Let’s dive into the magic of these ingredients and why this soap deserves a spot in your daily routine.
The Star Ingredients: What Makes This Soap Special
1. Shea Butter: Nature’s Moisturizer
Shea butter is a skincare powerhouse, renowned for its deeply hydrating and emollient properties. Extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, it’s rich in vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids. When used in soap, shea butter helps to lock in moisture, repair the skin’s natural barrier, and soothe dryness or irritation. It’s particularly beneficial for sensitive or mature skin, leaving it soft, supple, and glowing.
2. Oat Oil: The Soothing Elixir
Oat oil, derived from colloidal oats, is a gentle yet effective ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s packed with lipids and ceramides that help restore the skin’s natural moisture balance, making it ideal for dry, itchy, or eczema-prone skin. Oat oil also contains avenanthramides, compounds that calm redness and irritation, making this soap perfect for those with sensitive or reactive skin.
3. Olive Oil: A Timeless Classic
Olive oil has been a staple in skincare for centuries, and for good reason. Rich in oleic acid and squalene, it’s incredibly moisturizing and helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity. In cold-processed soap, olive oil creates a creamy, stable lather that cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It’s also packed with antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental stressors, promoting a healthy, youthful complexion.
4. Coconut Oil: The Cleansing Powerhouse
Coconut oil is a beloved ingredient in soap-making for its ability to produce a rich, bubbly lather. It’s highly effective at removing dirt, oil, and impurities, making it a great choice for all skin types. Additionally, coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties, helping to keep the skin clean and balanced. When used in moderation, it ensures the soap is cleansing yet gentle, without over-drying the skin.
5. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB): A Gentle Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is a mild, plant-derived surfactant commonly used in skincare products for its ability to cleanse and foam without causing irritation. In this formulation, the CAPB is 30% active, meaning it’s blended with 70% water to create a gentle yet effective cleansing agent. CAPB enhances the soap’s lathering properties while maintaining its mildness, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. It also helps to stabilize the soap’s texture, ensuring a smooth and luxurious feel.
Why Cold Processed Soap?
Cold-processed soap is made by combining oils and lye, allowing the mixture to saponify naturally over time. This method preserves the integrity of the ingredients, ensuring that their beneficial properties remain intact. Unlike commercial soaps, which often contain harsh detergents and synthetic additives, cold-processed soap is gentle, nourishing, and free from unnecessary chemicals. The slow curing process also results in a harder, longer-lasting bar that’s incredibly moisturizing.
Benefits of This Oat Soap
Deeply Hydrating: The combination of shea butter, oat oil, and olive oil ensures your skin stays hydrated and soft.
Soothing and Calming: Oat oil and shea butter work together to reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation.
Gentle Cleansing: Coconut oil and CAPB provide a rich lather that cleanses without stripping the skin.
Suitable for All Skin Types: Whether you have dry, sensitive, or oily skin, this soap is formulated to balance and nourish.
How to Use It
For best results, use this cold-processed oat soap as part of your daily skincare routine. Wet the bar, lather it in your hands or with a washcloth, and gently massage it onto your skin. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Final Thoughts
Cold-processed oat soap made with shea butter, oat oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and Cocamidopropyl betaine is more than just a soap—it’s a skincare experience. Each ingredient has been carefully chosen for its unique benefits, resulting in a product that cleanses, nourishes, and pampers your skin. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, sensitivity, or simply want to indulge in a luxurious skincare ritual, this soap is a must-try. Treat your skin to the care it deserves with this beautifully crafted, natural soap.
New to Soapmaking?
If you have never made cold processed soap before, please read this full tutorial before following this soap formulation.
Method:
Ensure all utensils and vessels are clean and appropriate for use.
Weigh and add the shea butter and coconut oil to a heat proof container and heat until the shea butter is fully melted. Add the remaining oil and stir well. The oil phase must be liquid and luke warm
Prepare the water and sodium hydroxide solution. Weigh the water into a container and gentle spinkle the sodium hydroxide. Still until you have a clear solution. Leave solution in a safe place until it is luke warm (you can feel this from the side of the bowl/container)
Pour the luke warm lye solution into the luke warm/cool oil phase and stir. Use a stick blender and stir rapidly until the mixture is a thinly homogenised emulsion.
Separately weigh and add the cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and homogenise with your stick blender. The CAPB will briefly lower the pH of the soap it will briefly take on a curdled appearance. The pH will stabilise and it will come back together.
When the soap batter takes on a smoother appearance, add the rosemary antioxidant and combine. Note: You can put this in the oil phase at the beginning.
Pour into soap mould and leave to cure.
