Scratchy Soap?

[lovefish]

Hi there, I am want to make a soap for farmer friend. I was thinking creating a blend of Basil and Lemon grass (EO's) which smells really fresh and hay like. I also wanted to add something scrubby to the soap. What would you suggest. I know you can add Oats and pumice, is it ok to put them both in or would that be too scratchy?

Also with the blend of EO's would I need to add anything else to make it 'stick' better or would those two EO's combine nicely?

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

Lemongrass and Basil will stick just fine on their own, but you could add a little Cedarwood to help. As for an exfoliant, you could use Oatmeal, Pumice, Poppy Seeds, Cornmeal, Finely shredded Coconut, Jojoba beads...but personally, I would stick to one of them at a time. You could also add ground Lemongrass leaf as an exfoliant, as it would be a little scratchy. Or since its for a gardener/farmer, I think cornmeal would be a good additive.

 

[Miz Jenny]

Ground apricot seeds are a great additive.

 

[lisamaliga]

Yes, I agree with Shawnee -- cornmeal is an excellent additive.

 

[lovefish]

Thanks for the tips! I just put some ear buds (q-tips) in a jar with basil lemongrass and cedar wood and it smells very good together. I just wondered what percentages you would use when making adding to the soap base? Which ones should I put less of for example?
When it comes to cornmeal, it's not something that is very common in England, is it the same thing as Polenta?
And if I decide to use oats which are smaller ground ones better at exfoliating than larger ones (which i eat everyday for breakfast!)
Many thanks!

 

[AlchemyandAshes]

I would probably do 2 parts Lemongrass, 1 part Basil, 1 part Cedarwood. Lemongrass can be a bit dominant and take over a scent, so if its too "Lemongrass-y" for you, just use equal parts. 3% of your base oils would probably be fine for this combo.
Polenta (yum!) is made from cornmeal, but its like mush, so I wouldn't use it in soap. You can run your larger oatmeal through a coffee grinder or spice grinder to make it finer like powder or colloidal oatmeal.

 

[nebetmiw]

Lisa being a farmer also. I would ask your farmer friend what they would like for a scent. I know most of my farmer friends do not want soap that smells anything like hay or green since we deal with it all day anyways. My hubby for instance prefers sandelwood with vanilla, me I am more floral and spice with citrus. Most of my farm friends are simular. You are better off asking than assuming.