Handmade Rosemary Soap Recipe

Handmade Rosemary Soap Recipe

Create beautiful handmade soaps inspired by nature with this recipe, enriched with the fresh, herbaceous scent of rosemary. Thanks to the nourishing plant-based oils, the soap develops a creamy lather and an elegant marbling effect in natural shades of green.

Ingredients

Oils & Fats

• 170 g coconut oil
• 156 g olive oil
• 156 g rice bran oil
• 142 g of sustainable palm oil

Lye solution

• 89 g of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
• 200 g rosemary hydrosol
• 1 teaspoon sodium lactate (optional)

Scent & Color

• 30 g rosemary essential oil
• Titanium dioxide (white)
• Green oxide pigment

Preparation

Preparing Dyes

In two separate bowls, mix:

• 1 teaspoon of titanium dioxide mixed with 1 tablespoon of light liquid oil.
• 1 teaspoon of green oxide pigment mixed with 1 tablespoon of light liquid oil.

Set aside.

Making a lye solution

⚠️ Always wear gloves and safety goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area.

Slowly add the sodium hydroxide to the rosemary hydrosol (never the other way around) and stir until everything is completely dissolved. Let it cool.

If desired, add sodium lactate to make a harder soap.

Preparing Oils

Melt the solid oils and mix them with the liquid oils.

When both the oils and the lye solution have reached a temperature of approximately 38–49°C and are close to each other, pour the lye solution into the oils.

Blend with an immersion blender until a light trace forms.

Add Colors

Pour about a quarter of the soap batter into a separate bowl.

• Add the titanium dioxide to the majority of the batter.
• Add half of the green pigment to the smaller portion.

Mix both colors thoroughly.

Add essential oil

Add the rosemary essential oil to both mixtures and stir thoroughly.

Creating a Marbled Effect

Slowly pour the green batter into the white batter using the In-The-Pot Swirl technique to create a natural marble pattern.

Stir only gently to preserve the swirl effect.

Pouring into the molds

Pour the batter into the soap molds.

Gently tap the shapes on the work surface to remove any air bubbles.

If desired, you can lightly spray the surface with 99% isopropyl alcohol to minimize the formation of soda ash.

Curing

Let the soap cure in the mold for 48 to 72 hours before removing it from the mold.

Then let the soap cure for 4 to 6 weeks in a dry, well-ventilated place.

Result

An artisanal rosemary soap with a fresh, herbal scent, a creamy lather, and elegant natural marbling. Perfect for an authentic and natural skincare routine.