Sandalwood Soap Recipe

The exotic fragrance of Sandalwood and the goodness of natural, moisturising soap is what is so wonderful about this cold process soap recipe. I love Sandalwood products and use them in my daily skin care routine. This soap is made using  Sandalwood water or hydrosol. Unfortunately the saponification process does not allow for the beautiful fragrance of the Sandalwood water to remain strong, so sandalwood oil or fragrance is needed to boost the wonderful scent. What remains is the benefit of Sandalwood water and Sandalwood oil (if you choose to use it). To read about the skin health benefits of Sandalwood water and Sandalwood oil, just click Here! 

I use Sandalwood Water from The Summit Vanuatu, as I know that it is grown using sustainable farming methods, supports the local farmers and growers and is an all natural, vegan product. I will place a link to the Summit Vanuatu for you if you wish to use their Sandalwood Water or Sandalwood Oil. 

Recipe

This recipe yields 1.5 kg of soap. For your convenience I have included links where you can purchase pure oils from the growers in Vanuatu.

You will need:
  • 100 g of Canola Oil
  • 200g of Extra Virgin coconut oil
  • 300g of Extra Virgin Olive oil
  • 400g of Soybean Oil
  • 138.7 g of Sodium Hydroxide (lye) 3% lye reduction
  • 330g of cold Sandalwood Water/Hydrosol 
  • Sandalwood Oil or Sandalwood fragrant Oil (Only a small amount is needed as Sandalwood has a strong scent) For my soap I used Sandalwood water with a Sandalwood, Vanilla and Patchouli Oil (This brought the soap to a thick trace quickly and turned the soap brown)

Method

Ensure that you apply all the safety rules for soap making: wear eye protection, gloves. have your arms and feet covered and work in an uncluttered area with plenty of ventilation. I always mix my lye solution under the exhaust fan over my stove. Do not have pets or children near your working area and Always pour the lye into the water!

Gather your Equipment: plastic or stainless steel  bowl, wooden or long handled stainless steel spoon, digital scales, spatula, hand mixer, plastic jug, lined mould or silicone mould

  1. Weigh your oils and set aside into your plastic or stainless steel mixing bowl.
  2. Weigh your cold Sandalwood water
  3. Weigh out your lye
  4. Pour your lye into your sandalwood water and stir until clear
  5. Gently and slowly pour your sandalwood/lye water into your oils and stir for about 1 minute.
  6. Using your handheld blender (stick blender) mix until you reach a medium trace.
  7. Add your fragrant oil and mix.
  8. Bring your mixture to a thick trace and working very quickly, pour into your mould
  9. Wrap the mould and set aside for 24 hours or until it is firm enough to be cut.