Table of Contents
- Dos Of Homemade Infused Oils For Soap-Making
- Don’ts Of Infused Oils For Soap Making
- How long do infused oils last?
- Conclusion:
Are Homemade Infused Oils Safe for Soap Making? Yes! as long as you follow some basic guidelines and know how to infuse potent oils for soap making.
One of the ways to add some extra benefits and scents to your soap is by using homemade infused oils.
Infused oils that have been steeped with herbs, flowers, spices, or other botanicals to extract their properties and aromas.
They can be used as a base oil or additive in soap making.
In this blog post, we will discuss the DOS and DON’TS of homemade infused oil for soap making.
Lye Discount Vs. Superfatting In Soap
Dos Of Homemade Infused Oils For Soap-Making
1 Disinfect your equipment; dry the container and lid you will use for storing the oil.
Sanitize them by boiling them in water for 30 seconds or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
2 Choose a lightweight oil with a long shelf life, such as olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, or jojoba oil. The skin easily absorbs these oils and creates a nice lather in soap.
3 Research the appropriate herbs, any herbs you’re unfamiliar with, regarding what would be good to be on your body versus inside your body.
Some of them you can do both inside and outside; you can eat it, and you can also put it on your skin,
Some are good to put on your skin but not eat; for example, eucalyptus is good for the skin.
But, If you cook with eucalyptus or ingest eucalyptus oil, the eucalyptus oil could cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In contrast, if you ingest or drink chamomile tea, it can be very soothing for your stomach and good for anxiety and sleepiness, and it is the same with lavender.
There are some lavender teas out there.
So be very cautious and research before you start playing around with herbs that you may or may not know if you can actually ingest or if it’s good topically.
So, for example, sometimes I use some orange or lemon oils in some of my products.
But for any citrus you use, you must be careful whenever you go in the sun because citrus essential oils are photosensitive on your skin.
So you must ensure you’re wearing sunscreen, or you can get sunburned more easily when wearing stuff with citrus oils.
4 Do use only dried ingredients for oil infusion.
Fresh ingredients contain water, which can promote the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium botulinum (C. bot), which causes botulism.
Botulism is a serious and potentially fatal illness that affects the nervous system.
Dried ingredients have no water, making them safer and more stable for oil infusion. You can buy dried ingredients or dry them yourself in an oven or a dehydrator.
5 Do chop or crush your herbs or flowers to expose more surface area and release more of their beneficial compounds into the oil.
6 Do strain the oil and discard the solids or use them as a design in your soap, but I never tried this; instead, I use dried petals.
After heating the oil and the ingredients, you should strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth, or coffee filter.
7 Do label and date the oil. Labeling and dating the oil will help you keep track of its freshness and shelf life.
Don’ts Of Infused Oils For Soap Making
1 Don’t overheat the oil or the ingredients. Heating the oil or the ingredients for too long or at too high a temperature can cause them to burn, ruining the oil’s flavor and color.
It can also create harmful compounds, such as acrylamide, a potential carcinogen.
Keep the heat low to medium, and watch the oil and the ingredients carefully. The ingredients should be fragrant and crisp but not charred.
2 Keep your oil low enough when using the hot infusion method, as this may damage the oil or the beneficial compounds of the herb or flower.
Use low to medium-low heat and simmer the oil for 2 to 3 hours, or use a slow cooker on low for 4 to 6 hours.
3 Don’t use essential oils as the infused oil, as they are much more concentrated and may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.
If you want to use essential oils, add them separately to your soap batter.
4 Don’t Rush the Infusion Process: adequate infusion time allows the oil to absorb the herbs’ properties fully.
5 Don’t Skip Labeling: Label each jar with relevant information to maintain organization and clarity.
6 Avoid Overloading Soap Recipes:
While adding numerous infused oils to a soap recipe is tempting, be cautious not to overload it.
Use one herb or flower for each infused oil you are making. Balance is key, and too many ingredients can affect the soap’s texture and performance.
How long do infused oils last?
The shelf life of infused oils for soap-making depends on several factors, such as the type of carrier oil, the kind of herb or flower, the method of infusion, and the storage conditions.
I recommend using coconut, jojoba, or olive oil because these oils have a longer shelf life.
Generally, infused oils made with dried herbs are kept on the shelf in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
However, some oils, such as hazelnut, hempseed, grapeseed, apricot kernel, evening primrose, flax seed, sesame, sweet almond, and wheatgerm oils, may have a shorter shelf life.
Depending on the oil, these oils should be used within three months to one year. Different herbs and botanicals have varying levels of stability.
Some herbs, like dried lavender or rosemary, can extend the shelf life of the infused oil due to their natural preservative properties. However, others may have a shorter shelf life.
To check if your infused oil is still good, you can smell it and look for any signs of rancidity, cloudiness, or mold. If in doubt, discard the oil and make a fresh batch.
Conclusion:
Infusing oils for soap making is a rewarding process that allows you to add a personal touch to your creations.
By understanding the methods and considerations outlined in this guide, you can embark on a journey of creativity and self-expression in your soap-making endeavors.
So, gather your favorite herbs, choose your carrier oils wisely, and let the art of infusion elevate your soap-making to new heights.
