Table of Contents
- What Is Pine Tar Soap?
- Why Use Pine Tar Soap?
- Is Pine Tar Safe In Soap?
- How Much Pine Tar To Use In Soap?
- Can I Use Pine Tar Soap Every Day?
- What Are The Ingredients In Pine Tar Soap?
- How Is Pine Tar Soap Made?
- Step 4
- Conclusion
Is pine tar an essential oil? No! Pine tar is not classified as an essential oil.
Essential oils are typically extracted through methods like steam distillation or cold pressing from the aromatic parts of plants, such as leaves, flowers, or stems.
In contrast, pine tar is obtained through the destructive distillation of pine wood. It is a viscous, dark substance that results from heating pine wood without air.
Pine tar soap, a traditional and time-tested skincare remedy, has gained popularity for its potential benefits and natural origins.
In this article, Let’s delve into the world of pine tar to uncover its composition, uses, and potential advantages for your skin.
What Is Pine Tar Soap?
Pine tar soap is a soap that contains pine tar as one of its main ingredients. It is also essential to say that pine tar soap is not to be confused with black coal tar soap; they are different soaps.
Pine tar is a dark brown or black substance obtained by heating pine tree resin in a closed container. It is mainly found in Scandinavia.
In recent years, the use of pine tar has expanded to include personal care products such as soap and shampoo—which may contain up to 2.3% pine tar.
The resulting product has a distinct smell often described as “earthy” or “woodsy.”
Pine tar has been used since ancient times for various purposes, such as preserving wood, waterproofing boats, and treating skin ailments.
Back in the day, they had harsh winters and brutal cold and used pine tar to preserve things like their ships and skis, and over time, people began to add it to things like soap.
It has incredible benefits. Pine tar soap is usually made by mixing pine tar with other natural ingredients, such as tallow or lard, lye, water, and essential oils.
The amount of pine tar in the soap can vary, typically around 10% to 20%.
Some pine tar soaps may contain more or less pine tar, depending on the desired effect and preference of the user.
Now, depending on the client, sometimes I tend to go basic when making pine tar soap, mainly because it is medicinal.
Why Use Pine Tar Soap?
Pine tar soap has many benefits for the skin, such as:
- It moisturizes and nourishes the skin with its rich content of fatty acids and vitamins.
- It cleanses and exfoliates the skin with its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
- It soothes and heals the skin with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
- It relieves itching and irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and insect bites.
- It reduces inflammation and redness caused by acne, rosacea, and dermatitis.
- It improves blood circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps to detoxify the skin and prevent infections.
- It is an excellent option for washing your beard. It Helps strip men’s beards of all the wax and build-ups and reset them back to their natural state.
- It is said to have a calming effect on irritated skin.
Is Pine Tar Safe In Soap?
Yes! However, The safety of using pine tar in soap depends on various factors, including the concentration of pine tar, individual skin sensitivity, and personal preferences.
Additionally, People’s responses to pine tar vary. Ensure that the pine tar you are using in your soap is creosote-free.
While some may find it beneficial for their skin, others may experience irritation. If any discomfort or adverse reactions occur, I recommend discontinuing use.
Pine tar in soap is safe for many individuals, especially when incorporated into a well-balanced soap recipe.
However, individual skin sensitivity and preferences play a significant role, so starting cautiously and monitoring for any adverse reactions is essential.
How Much Pine Tar To Use In Soap?
For the amount to use, I would say the amount of pine tar used in soap recipes varies.
I recommend starting with a lower concentration and gradually increase if needed. I typically use 3 oz, or 10% to 20%, depending on my soap batter.
Typically, pine tar concentrations range from 1% to 20% of the total soap recipe, but this can be adjusted based on personal preference.
The cool thing about pine tar soap is that it accelerates trace like nothing else, so you don’t necessarily need a stick-blender except if you are making it in large quantities where a whisk might not mix well.
Note: Pine tar soap can dry some skin types, primarily if used daily.
Can I Use Pine Tar Soap Every Day?
Ordinarily, daily use of pine tar soap is a fantastic option due to its health benefits.
However, when unprecedented skin and allergic reactions surface, you must use less frequently or consult your dermatologist, especially for sensitive skin.
Pine tar soap is a natural product that can help with various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff.
The suitability of pine tar soap daily varies from person to person. Starting with a lower frequency and adjusting based on individual responses is a prudent approach.
Always prioritize your skin’s health and comfort in determining the frequency of use. Can I use pine tar soap on my face? Yes!
I would also love to add that you don’t necessarily have to have any skin disease to use pine tar soap.
Additionally, when you are dealing with any skin issue like eczema and the rest, treating it necessitates a combination of soap and medication, not just the soap alone.
What Are The Ingredients In Pine Tar Soap?
To make pine tar soap, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:
– A digital scale to measure the ingredients by weight
– A heat-resistant container to mix the lye solution
– A stainless steel pot to melt the oils
– A stick blender or whisk to mix the soap batter
– A soap mold to pour the soap into
– A knife or cutter to cut the soap bars
– Safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from the lye
– Distilled water
– Lye (sodium hydroxide)
– Salt (optional, to help the soap release from the mold)
– Olive oil
– Coconut oil
– Castor oil
– Pine tar
– Essential oils of your choice (optional, to add scent and benefits to the soap)
- [950g oils in total]
- 598g olive oil
- 85g coconut oil
- 95g cocoa butter
- 47g castor oil
- 114g/ 12% pine tar (pine tar is not an oil and does not saponify with the lye, but it is usually calculated into the soap recipe as a percentage of the total oil amount.
Most soap calculators list pine tar in their oils selection).
- 9.5g beeswax
- 38g essential oil (I used 23g tea tree and 15g cedar, but you can use any E.O.s you think would pair nicely with the pine tar).
- 237g water (I used all ice, but half water – half ice might be better).
- 118g sodium hydroxide/caustic soda (ensure your product is at least 98% sodium hydroxide).
This recipe has a 4% superfat and uses a 2:1 water-to-lye ratio. The mold I used in this video is 37cm long, 7cm wide, and 5.7cm deep. It holds 1.480kg of soap batter.
Note: adjust this recipe according to the soap you want to make.
Ensure the percentage of butter in your soap is not more than 15% and the beeswax is not more than 8-10%. Adding too much makes the soap prone to cracking.
You want to add some superfatting oils, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, or avocado oil, to make your soap more moisturizing and conditioning.
How Is Pine Tar Soap Made?
How do you dilute pine tar? Diluting pine tar involves mixing it with a base oil, making it easier to apply to the soap batter. Common choices include carrier oils like olive oil or coconut oil.
Step1
Prepare your mold by lining it with parchment paper or use a silicon mold. Set it aside.
Step 2
Put on your safety goggles and gloves. Stir the salt (if using) into the distilled water in a heat-resistant container.
Slowly add the lye and stir until dissolved. Be careful not to inhale the fumes or splash the solution on your skin or eyes. Set the lye solution aside to cool.
I want to mention that you can experiment with ice to mix the lye. The beauty of using ice is that it doesn’t let off any fumes, which is fantastic.
Step 3
Put olive oil and coconut oil in a stainless steel pot or heat-resistant bowl; I’m adding cocoa butter to this recipe; add the beeswax and castor oil, and then add pine tar over.
Use your spatula to get all the pine tar out of the bowl and mix. Ensure you zero your scale between oils.
Put in microwave and Stir occasionally until everything is melted and well combined. By the way, you can use your stove or gas to dissolve the oils on low heat.
Beeswax has a high melting point, so all the oils and wax must be melted together. Beeswax melts at about 50c/ 144-147 Fahrenheit
Set the oil mixture aside to cool slightly. (melt the coconut oil to make it easier to pour)
Set aside your essential oils, whichever you want. I’m using tea tree(23g) & cedarwood(15g) in this recipe. These are some of my best essential oils for pine tar soap.
Step 4
When the lye solution and the oil mixture are around 85°F/45c, carefully pour the lye solution into the oil mixture.
Use a stick blender, spoon, or whisk to mix the soap batter until it reaches a light trace, which is when the soap starts to thicken and leave a trail on the surface when you lift the blender.
This should happen quickly, so be ready to move on to the next step. Pine tar soap saponify quickly.
5. Add the essential oils (if using) and blend them into the soap batter. Pour the soap batter into the prepared mold and tap it gently to remove any air bubbles.
Alternatively, opt for swirling the surface with chopsticks or whatever design you wish.
Cover the mold with a lid and cardboard, wrap it with a towel, and put it in a cooler to insulate it. Let the soap sit in the mold for 24 hours or until it is hard to unmold.
6. Unmold the soap and cut it into bars. Place the bars on a rack or a tray and let them cure in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place for 4 to 6 weeks.
This will allow the soap to harden and lose excess moisture, making it last longer and gentler on the skin.
How To Make Pine Tar Soap With Swirls
Making pine tar soap with swirls is the same process as making pine tar soap without swirls.
Pine tar soap moves quickly when mixing it. Split it into two, and pour some parts into another bowl to get a lighter color.
The quantity of the soap and the swirl design you want will determine the amount of soap batter you pour into the second bowl.
Add a bit of titanium dioxide to the second bowl containing the smaller soap batter at light Trace to get a fantastic latte-looking soap batter.
Add your essential oil to both bowls if you desire to scent it, and mix the smaller soap batter first. It is going to look like a nice latte.
Now that you have a nice latte soap batter in the small bowl, pour it into the bigger soap batter in the middle and on a spot.
Don’t spread it while pouring it into the bigger soap batter.
Scrape out well with your spatula and pour into your mold immediately. If you see your swirls a bit light, it will darken up a little later.
Use a stainless steel or wooden chopstick to give it a drag through the top to give it a bit of swirl; I do love that on my soaps.
After 24 hours, your soap is ready to cut.
I hear people say there is no need to put swirls in pine tar soap because it thickens so quickly, but you can do swirls in pine tar soap. It would be best if you worked speedily and strategically.
Conclusion
Pine tar soap is a natural and effective way to treat various skin problems and improve skin health.
The harmonious marriage of pine tar and thoughtfully selected essential oils enhances the fragrance and adds therapeutic benefits to your bathing ritual.
