Creamier Lather and Radiant Skin with Refined Shea Butter Soap: Free Lemon Poppyseed Soap Recipe

What is Refined Shea Butter?

Refined shea butter comes from the nuts of the shea tree, primarily found in West Africa. This version undergoes a process that removes its natural scent and color, making it ideal for soap-making. This allows for more customization regarding fragrances and colors, ensuring that your soap looks as good as it smells.

Don't worry—the refining process still maintains its beneficial properties, which are abundant in vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids. This nutrient-dense profile positions refined shea butter as a top choice for your skin and hair care needs.

Why Use Shea Butter in Soap Making?

Creamier Lather

Lather quality is crucial for a good soap. A study found that soaps with shea butter create a 30% richer lather compared to those made with standard oils. Using refined shea butter means your lather is not only visually appealing but also incredibly soft and enjoyable on your skin. This is especially impactful for those who cherish a luxurious bathing experience.

Enhanced Color and Scent

The neutral nature of refined shea butter allows you to play with various colors and scents in your soap. You can confidently add vibrant colorants and essential oils without any worry about clashing with unrefined shea butter's natural hues.

For example, citrus-scented essential oils like lemon or orange can shine brightly, providing an uplifting aroma during use. Studies show that pleasant scents can enhance mood, making your soap not just a cleaning product, but also a source of emotional well-being.

Moisturizing Benefits

The moisturizing qualities of refined shea butter are truly remarkable. It is packed with fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for individuals with dry or sensitive skin.

By including shea butter in your soap, you bring hydration that can reduce symptoms of skin conditions by up to 50%. For example, many users report significant improvements in the appearance and feel of their skin when regularly using shea butter products for issues such as eczema and psoriasis.

Scalp and Sunburn Relief

Raw shea butter, or unrefined shea butter, is best suited to protect against sunburn, keep skin soft while sunbathing and swimming, and as an after-sun relief to burns and dry, scaly skin. It can also prevent peeling to make your suntan last longer.

Shea butter shampoo bars are a great way to treat irritated or sensitive scalp issues. Or, make a shea butter detangling spray or hair butter.

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Get Energized with Lemon Poppyseed and Shea Butter Soap

Let’s move on to the exciting part—crafting your own lemon poppyseed and shea butter soap! This recipe combines the nourishing qualities of refined shea butter with the energizing scent of lemon, along with poppy seeds for gentle exfoliation.

Recipe Overview

Ingredients:

• 90 grams refined shea butter

• 414 grams olive oil

• 306 grams coconut oil

• 90 grams avocado oil

• 25 grams lemongrass essential oil

• 10 grams orange essential oil

• 1 tsp. poppy seeds

• 128 grams lye

• 320 grams distilled water

• 1 tsp ground turmeric

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 2 tsp sugar

• 2 tsp sodium lactate

• 2 tsp yogurt

• rubbing alcohol in a fine mist sprayer

  
  

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure out separately the shea butter, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, lemon grass and orange essential oils, poppy seeds, turmeric, sugar, yogurt, sodium lactate, lye, and distilled water.

   
   

2. Make the Lye Solution: Carefully mix the lye into the distilled water in a well-ventilated area and set aside.

   
   

3. Melt the Oils: In a saucepan or crock pot, melt the refined shea butter and coconut oil together over low heat. Stir in the olive and avocado oil once melted.

4. Soak turmeric in 1 tsp olive oil

5. Now, add sodium lactate, yogurt, and sugar to lye mixture.

   
   

6. Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the lye solution to the melted oils.

   
   

7. Blend: Use an immersion blender to mix until it reaches a light trace.

   
   

8. Let soap cook until it tests neutral.

   
   

9. Add essential oils and mix well.

   
   

10. Divide Soap between two mixing containers, adding poppy seed to one container, and turmeric to the other container. Mix well.

    
    
    
    

11. Pour into Mold: Pour the poppy seed mixture into the soap mold first, and ten add the turmeric mixture. Tamp it down on the counter several times to prevent separation. Form the top however you like and spray with rubbing alcohol to prevent ashing. Let it sit for 6-10 hours before unmolding.

    
    

12. Cut and Cure: Cut the soap into bars and allow them to cure for 2 weeks before using. You may use the shea butter soap immediately as long as it tested neutral. However, it is best to allow the bars a couple weeks to harden so they will last longer.

    
    

This lemon poppyseed and shea butter soap will energize your senses in the morning, making it a perfect part of your daily routine.

The Final Word

Integrating refined shea butter into your soap-making elevates the quality of your bars while enhancing their nourishing properties. With its creamy lather, skin-healing benefits, and versatility in colors and scents, refined shea butter is essential for any soap enthusiast.