Additives like seeds and botanicals are great additions to homemade soaps. These natural Soap making supplies can help you enjoy a more fulfilling shower experience by improving your soap’s cleansing and fragrance properties. Here’s more information about popular soap additives and how to use them for maximum benefit: 

Popular Additive Options for Homemade Soap 

Here are some natural products you can incorporate into your homemade soap to enhance its ability to clean and nourish your skin:

• Seeds: Consider options like chia, poppy, and sesame seeds. They can add exfoliating texture to your soap.
• Botanicals: Dried herbs and flowers like turmeric and lavender can add color and fragrance.
• Essential oils: Plant and flower extracts can help you add fragrance to your soap. Popular essential oils include peppermint, bergamot, rosemary, eucalyptus, and tea tree.
• Dairy products: Milk and butter can help you create a creamy and moisturizing soap.
• Clays: Clays like bentonite, French green, and kaolin can give your soap a silky texture. These clays also contain cleansing properties.
• Plant-based butters: Additives like shea butter and cocoa butter have conditioning properties that help your soap lather. They also have moisturizing properties, making them ideal for nourishing the skin.
• Honey: This additive contains sugars and antioxidants that can increase lather in cold-process soaps. Honey is also a humectant, meaning it helps your skin retain moisture. 

Benefits of Additives in Homemade Soap

Incorporating natural, eco-friendly additives can enhance the look and feel of your homemade soap. Botanicals like dried flower petals can add pops of color, speckles, and patterns, transforming your soap from basic to eye-catching.

Additives like shea butter and aloe vera can improve the health of your skin because of their moisturizing and soothing properties. When added to soap, they can hydrate your skin and reduce inflammation, making them ideal for dry and sensitive skin types. Identify the aspect of your skin you want to improve and choose an additive that matches your goals. 

Additives like poppy seeds and ground coffee can be used for exfoliating your skin. These natural ingredients are gentle on sensitive skin and can remove dead skin cells, making your skin look more rejuvenated and smooth.

Such additives are especially beneficial for people with dry or rough skin. Botanicals like dried flowers can infuse your soap with refreshing scents.

Consider additives like eucalyptus and lavender for your soap, as they have pleasant aromas that can be therapeutic. Eucalyptus can reduce mental fog, and lavender can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. 

Tips for Using Additives in Your Soap 

Additives offer their full benefits when they are incorporated into homemade soap appropriately. Here are some tips to help you choose and incorporate natural additives in your soap:

Choose High-quality Ingredients 

Your ingredients’ quality is directly related to your homemade soap’s quality. Choose fresh, clean additives free from contaminants. If possible, choose organic and sustainably sourced soap making supplies.

Before purchasing your supplies, consider any allergies you may have to prevent adverse skin reactions. Choose non-irritating ingredients you and your customers aren’t allergic to. If you’re unsure about a product, test the desired additive on a small skin patch before making your soap. 

Understand Your Additives’ Properties

Research how your chosen additives react with the lye and other soap ingredients before incorporating them into your product. Additives like botanicals can change during the soap-making process.

Some may change color or size over time or when exposed to heat. Assess the physical and chemical changes your chosen ingredients could undergo to determine how they’ll affect your soap. You can ask your ingredient supplier about potential additive changes or perform a small batch test to observe them yourself. 

Prepare Your Additives Ahead of Time

Avoid immediately adding ingredients to your lye before preparing them. If the additives are unprepared, they can disperse unevenly, causing clumps. Prepare the additives by grinding them into finer particles before adding them to your soap mixture. You can also infuse them in oils beforehand to soften them and promote even dispersion. 

Find the Right Soap Making Supplies 

Soap making supplies like seeds, botanicals, and dairy products can improve your soap’s cleansing and exfoliation properties and visual appeal. Take the time to research different additives’ properties to determine the right fit for your homemade soap recipe.

If you’re new to soap making, engage with experienced soap makers and suppliers to gain valuable insights into how to find and use high-quality additives.