When I first wake up in the morning, this energizing rosemary and mint soap is the perfect way to wake me up and feel ready to start the day. Whether you prefer cold process or melt-and-pour soap making, this rosemary soap recipe is for you!
The scent of rosemary is used in aromatherapy to promote focus, memory, and reduce brain fog. Peppermint is purported to help energize and refresh the mind and body. And both of them are effective natural deodorizers.
That’s why I combined these two scents for my morning shower soap (well, that and they smell awesome together). I love this energizing rosemary peppermint soap for my morning shower because it helps me to wake up, clean up, and feel ready for the day.
Let’s get into it!
Soap vs. Body Wash
You may think that your body wash is just a type of liquid soap, but actually, the reason why it is called “body wash” is that it isn’t soap at all. It is a detergent. You know, like you use on your dirty dishes.
Soap can only be called soap if it goes through the saponification process of turning fats and oils with sodium hydroxide into soap. This process makes the most nourishing, gentlest, and healthiest cleanser for your skin, which is why soap is the only thing I use to get clean. No mystery body washes in this household!
Soap retains the natural glycerin that’s created in the soap-making process. Products like beauty bars and body washes are detergents, or a recipe of ingredients that, combined together, cleanse your skin. Glycerin has been removed from these products because it is much too valuable to leave in there and make a big profit. Then a bunch of other artificial ingredients have been added to mask the missing glycerin.
That’s why I use soap in my morning shower every day. It’s the healthiest way to cleanse the body, and this particular soap wakes up my mind with its refreshing scent combination of rosemary and peppermint.
Rosemary and Peppermint: a Winning Combination
Rosemary is an excellent natural deodorizer, and peppermint’s bright scent leaves you feeling fresh. The invigorating scent and natural cleansing properties of both of these essential oils make this combination the perfect choice for your everyday morning soap.
For more information on rosemary and mint, check out these posts:
Energizing Rosemary Peppermint Soap Recipe
Makes 36 oz total; approximately 7 x 5 oz bars; or will fill a 2 lb soap mould
Ingredients
Mix temp 115°F
Oils
Lye mixture
Scent and Colour
Make It!
Head over to this post on how to make cold process soap and follow the instructions there.
Add the essential oils after you’ve combined your lye water and oils and you’ve just begun to reach trace. You can also add the sage powder at this step, using the immersion blender to blend.
Once that’s all blended, you can add your spirulina powder to make a swirl. To do this, add the spirulina powder directly to the bowl on the edge. Mix it in place with a spatula or the immersion blender.
Then, use a chopstick to swirl it once or twice through the bowl. A majority of the swirling will happen as you pour the soap into the mould.
Once in the mould, let it sit wrapped in a towel and placed somewhere warm for 48 hours. After two days, you can unmould the soap. Let it cure for six weeks before use.
Melt and Pour Method
I like using the cold process technique for this soap, but if you want something even easier, you can use a pre-made soap base and add the essential oils and colourants to that.
For info on this technique, check out my own book on handmade soap the easy way (using the melt and pour method): Good Clean Fun.
More Rosemary and Mint Goodness!
Rosemary and Peppermint Energizing Shower Soap
Start the day off right, feeling refreshed and ready to start the day using with this rosemary and peppermint cold process soap recipe.
Servings: 36 oz
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Put on your safety gear.
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Weigh your ingredients on a scale.
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Heat olive oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil in a double boiler until it reaches 115°F.
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While the oils heat, mix together the sodium hydroxide and water in a well-ventilated area. Let it sit in an ice bath until it also reaches 115°F.
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Add the oil mixture to a mixing bowl, followed by the lye water. Use an immersion blender to mix until you reach a light trace.
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Add the essential oils and sage powder, and mix again until well combined.
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Add spirulina powder to the outer edge of the bowl. Mix in place, then use a chopstick to swirl twice through the mixture. Pour soap into the mould.
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Let the soap sit undisturbed, somewhere warm, for 48 hours. After which, you can remove the soap from the mould and let it cure for six weeks before use.
Makes 36 oz total or approximately 7 x 5 oz bars. Will fill a 2 lb soap mould.
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
