Shea butter is a popular ingredient in handmade soaps in Ghana and other parts of the world,
as it provides a range of benefits for the skin, including moisturizing, nourishing, and protecting.
If you want to make your own shea butter soap,
there are several steps you can follow to do so.
First, gather the ingredients and equipment you will need to make the soap. In addition to shea butter, you will need the following:
- Olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil (adwe ngo): These oils are commonly used in soap-making, as they help to create a moisturizing, lathering soap
- Lye (sodium hydroxide): This is a caustic chemical that is used in the soap-making process to convert the oils into soap. It is a dangerous chemical, so it should be handled with care and used in well-ventilated areas.
- Water: Water is used to dissolve the lye and to mix the other ingredients together.
- Essential oils: These are optional ingredients that can be added for their scent and additional skin benefits. Some common essential oils used in shea butter soap include lavender, peppermint, and tea tree
- Fragrance
In addition to these ingredients, you will also need some basic soap-making equipment, such as a large mixing bowl, a whisk or mixer, a soap mold, and protective gear (such as gloves and goggles) to protect yourself from the lye
Once you have gathered all of the ingredients and equipment, you can begin making your shea butter soap. To do this, follow these steps
Measure out the sheabutter, olive or coconut oil, and essential oils (if using) and place them in a large mixing bowl
Carefully measure out the lye and water according to the recipe you are using. Slowly pour the lye into the water, stirring constantly to dissolve it
Once the lye is fully dissolved, slowly pour it into the mixing bowl with the oils and shea butter. Using a whisk or mixer, blend the ingredients together until they are fully combined and the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
Once the mixture has reached the desired consistency, pour it into the soap mold and smooth the top with a spatula
Allow the soap to harden and cure in the mold for at least 24 hours. Once it is fully hardened, remove it from the mold and cut it into bars.
Allow the soap bars to cure for several weeks before using them, to allow the ingredients to fully blend and the soap to become mild and gentle on the skin.
The Shea Butter soap in the excerpt image is made by Armah Organics in Ghana.
You may reach out to us for free practical lessons on soap making with them.