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Lavender & Mint Cold Process Shampoo Bars

Cold-process shampoo bars are easy to make at home and have great benefits for your hair! Made with moisturizing ingredients, these shampoo bars are the perfect for dry and dull winter hair.
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time2 hours
Resting Time In Mold1 day
Yield: 10 shampoo bars

Equipment

  • Digital scale
  • Glass bowls
  • Large spoon
  • Infrared thermometer
  • 3-5 lb soap mold
  • Parchment paper
  • Scissors
  • Stick blender
  • Rubber spatula
  • Blanket

Materials

  • 10 oz Olive oil
  • 9 oz Coconut oil
  • 8 oz Distilled water
  • 5 oz Castor oil
  • 4.34 oz Lye
  • 4 oz Shea butter
  • 2 oz Jojoba oil
  • 2 oz Cocoa butter
  • 0.5 oz Lavender essential oil
  • 0.5 oz Peppermint essential oil
  • 0.5 oz Dried lavender buds (optional)

Instructions

  • HEAT THE FATS/OILS: In a large glass bowl, combine the measured olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. Heat in a microwave until they are melted and incorporated. (2-4 minutes). Allow to cool until the temperature reaches 100-110F.
  • MIX THE LYE WATER: Put on your PPE first. In a well ventilated area, carefully add the lye crystals to your distilled water in a separate glass bowl and stir until fully dissolved. *NEVER add water to the lye, only lye to water.* Allow to cool until 100-110F.
  • PREPARE THE MOLD: While the lye and oils cool, using your scissor cut and line your mold with parchment paper. *If you are using a silicone liner skip this step.
  • COMBINE AND BRING TO TRACE: When both the melted oils and lye/water mixture have reached temperatures between 100-110F, slowly pour the lye water into your glass bowl of oils. Use your stick blender to mix for 1 minute and let it rest for 2 minutes. Repeat this process until light trace.
  • ADD IN ESSENTIAL OILS: After the soap has reached light trace, add in your lavender and peppermint essential oils. Mix in by hand with a spatula as the soap can accelerate fast if using the stick blender during this step.
  • POUR INTO MOLD: Pour your soap mixture into your lined soap mold and sprinkle on dried lavender buds. Cover the top of the mold with a piece of parchment paper careful not to touch the top of your mixture. Place a wooden lid (or piece of a cardboard box) on top of the parchment paper and insulate with a blanket for 24 hours.
  • CUT AND CURE: Now that your soap has been resting for 24 hours, remove from your soap mold and cut into 8-10 bars depending on the size you want. Allow the bars to cure upright for at least 4-6 weeks in a well-ventilated location.
  • USE AND CARE: Lather in hand or while using the shampoo bar on top of your head. Massage in and rinse as you normally would. Then apply a mixture of half apple cider vinegar and water leave in to help condition and balance the pH level of your hair.
    Allow your shampoo bars to dry out in between uses to extend their life.
    It may also take several washes for your hair to adjust to the shampoo bars.

Notes

This recipe is made with a 5% superfat discount and any adjustments made will require the ingredients to be recalculated. This can be done using a recipe calculator online.