Homemade Activated Charcoal Soap

I have always wanted to make my own soap, but whenever I read about how finicky lye can be, I’ve chickened out. Eventually online I came across a recipe that used “melt and pour” soap base, and I knew I could handle that first. Melt and pour soap crafting is great for beginners. It’s a fun way to experiment with add-ins like essential oils, exfoliants, and colour, and create your own custom soap.

I received charcoal soap at Christmas a few years ago, and I liked it, so for my first batch I decided on an activated charcoal soap. This is an excellent add-in for soap because of its porous nature which absorbs toxins, stains, bacteria and more. Here is how to make homemade activated charcoal soap.

Homemade Activated Charcoal Soap

(2 bars)
recipe adapted from Hello Natural

 

8 oz shea butter soap base
2 1/2 capsules of activated charcoal (save the leftover 1/2 for whitening your teeth)
6 drops tea tree oil
2 drops pepperment essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

 

Cut the soap base into small pieces and place in a heat save bowl or double boiler.
Melt the soap base in the microwave or over the double boiler, stirring and checking often.
Add activated charcoal and stir.
Add essential oils and stir.
Pour into molds, and allow to cool for at least 40 minutes.
Once cooled, gently pop out of the molds, and enjoy.

 

These two bars only used a quarter of my soap base, so I’m excited to keep working and experimenting with more essential oils, exfoliants, etc. I’ll post more soap recipes as they come.