One of the major benefits to making my own soap is that I can make a shaving soap far superior to anything I can find in the drug store. I love to compare notes on what contributes to a great shaving soap.
Here's one of my shaving blends:
30% Coconut oil
30% Palm oil
10% Apricot kernal oil
10% Avocado oil
8% Castor oil
7% Cocoa butter
5% Bees wax
I almost always add castor oil to my bars as it is the only oil with ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that is conditioning to the skin and contributes to a fluffy, stable lather.
A percentage of almond, sunflower, grape seed or olive oil can be swapped in for some or all of the apricot kernal and avocado. I always apply a 7-9% discount to the lye to ensure my soaps have plenty of unsaponified oils in them.
I almost always add a bit of clay to my shaving soaps. Any type of cosmetic grade clay will work: Kaolin, red Morrocan clay, Dead Sea clay, or green French clay. I add about two tablespoons per 4 pound batch (based on the total weight of the oils).
As for scents, I find many guys steer clear of floral scents, but here are two combos that are popular with my male friends:
- Cedar and Lemongrass. Great spectrum of base to top notes. The lemongrass scent is very uplifting.
- Ginger and Cinnamon. Rich and pleasantly spicy.
I just purchased some tussah silk and want to add that to my shaving bars. I'll let you know how that turns out.
Here's one of my shaving blends:
30% Coconut oil
30% Palm oil
10% Apricot kernal oil
10% Avocado oil
8% Castor oil
7% Cocoa butter
5% Bees wax
I almost always add castor oil to my bars as it is the only oil with ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that is conditioning to the skin and contributes to a fluffy, stable lather.
A percentage of almond, sunflower, grape seed or olive oil can be swapped in for some or all of the apricot kernal and avocado. I always apply a 7-9% discount to the lye to ensure my soaps have plenty of unsaponified oils in them.
I almost always add a bit of clay to my shaving soaps. Any type of cosmetic grade clay will work: Kaolin, red Morrocan clay, Dead Sea clay, or green French clay. I add about two tablespoons per 4 pound batch (based on the total weight of the oils).
As for scents, I find many guys steer clear of floral scents, but here are two combos that are popular with my male friends:
- Cedar and Lemongrass. Great spectrum of base to top notes. The lemongrass scent is very uplifting.
- Ginger and Cinnamon. Rich and pleasantly spicy.
I just purchased some tussah silk and want to add that to my shaving bars. I'll let you know how that turns out.
