Benefits of Patchouli Soap and DIY Bar Soap Recipe

There are so many benefits of patchouli soap, as it benefits both the skin and the body.  So not only is it great for us, but it is also an excellent scent to blend with. You might not even know it’s already in your favorite scents, as patchouli is known for its earthy scent that provides a strong scent base.  This makes it perfect for mixing with other top and middle notes for the perfectly balanced homemade soap.

Benefits of Patchouli Oil

Using patchouli essential oil has many health benefits for the skin, as well as many other uses. From clearing up acne to helping with acne and circulation, patchouli essential oil can help with all of them. Most people can benefit from using patchouli products in their everyday life.

• anti-bacterial properties
• astringent properties
• may help with acne conditions
• anti-inflammatory effect
• blood circulation
• reduces feelings of anxiety
• remedy for athlete’s foot
• natural insect repellent

It’s always recommended to do a small patch test when first using an essential oil, to make sure you don’t have any side effects.  Also, it’s advised not to use patchouli if you currently use blood thinners or have had major surgery as it may affect blood clotting.

What is Patchouli Essential Oil?

Patchouli is a bushy herb with white flowers that’s part of the mint family.  The leaves of the patchouli plant are where the essential oil is derived through a distillation process.  The essential oil is commonly used as a scent base in skincare and fragrances as well as natural remedies.  It’s also great for diffusing as it has a calming and relaxing effect on the mind.

The scent of patchouli is known for having an earthy and woody scent.  Its strong and sweet musky notes are what makes it great for blending with other scents for the perfect balance. The earthy aroma may be too much for some people on its own, but this is what makes patchouli a wonderful oil for mixing.  Some great essential oils blends are below to use for making your own soap, as well as using as a diffuser blend or in other recipes.

Natural Ingredients

Shea butter melt and pour soap base

Using a shea butter melt and pour soap base is going to give you incredible results. Shea butter soap is known for being one of the best moisturizers. It’s also a really good soap base to use no matter your skin type with the added benefit that it doesn’t clog pores.  Plus, it has high levels of vitamin A and vitamin E along with antioxidant properties which help to protect skin cells from free radicals that can cause premature aging and other skin problems.

A great alternative for shea butter melt and pour soap base is goat milk melt and pour soap base. It’s good for dry skin and sensitive skin as it has fatty acids that can help with moisture and contains gentle ingredients.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is a great carrier oil to use when making homemade products since it’s so perfect for moisturizing the skin. It’s full of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins E and B that the skin needs. Jojoba oil not only moisturizes, but it also doesn’t clog pores and is great for all skin types.

A great alternative for jojoba oil in this patchouli soap recipe is sweet almond oil.  It is naturally rich in vitamins A, and E plus has antioxidant properties, while also soothing and nourishing the skin. You could also use organic coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil if you have those on hand.

Raw Sugar or Pink Himalayan Salt (optional)

While optional, raw sugar and pink himalayan salt are great additions to the recipe as they act as natural exfoliators. Raw sugar tends to be a gentler exfoliator since the granules are a larger texture, as long as you are using raw sugar, turbinado, or coconut sugar.

Pink himalayan salts are filled with over 80 trace minerals that the body needs, while also helping with the body’s detoxification process. Pink himalayan salts may also benefit those with itchy or irritated skin due to the minerals.

Essential Oils

Essential oils add a wonderful scent to your homemade soap. The possibilities are endless when it comes to which essential oils to use for your bar of soap. Some of my favorite essential oil blends with patchouli are included after the recipe so you can choose the blend you enjoy!

Supplies Needed for Homemade Bar Soap

Making your own homemade essential oil soap is simple when using a melt-and-pour soap base. You will need the following:

• 1 pound shea butter melt and pour base or goat’s milk melt and pour base
• 80-100 drops of essential oils (see below for recommendations)
• 5 teaspoons of jojoba oil
• 5 teaspoons of raw sugar or pink himalayan salt (optional)
• soap mold set
• glass measuring cup or large glass bowl
• double boiler or large saucepan
• wooden spoon

DIY Patchouli Soap Bar Recipe

STEP ONE: Chop up 1 pound of your shea butter soap base into similar size pieces, about 1-2 inches in size. This will make it easier to melt and stir the soap.  

STEP TWO: Place the shea butter melt-and-pour soap pieces into a double boiler on your stovetop. For mine, I used a large saucepan with water halfway up the side and a 4-cup glass measuring cup in order to make pouring into the molds easier. Heat the water to a gentle boil, while stirring the soap pieces after they start to melt. 

STEP THREE: Continue stirring the soap until smooth and no pieces are left. Once that happens, remove the measuring cup from the stovetop and dry off the bottom. The measuring cup will be hot, so make sure to have towels and pot holders nearby. Turn off the stove.  

STEP FOUR: Next, add essential oils, jojoba oil, and raw sugar or pink himalayan salt (if using) directly to the melted soap based on your measuring cup. For 1 pound of soap base, plan to use 80-100 drops of essential oils. Then you add 5 teaspoons of jojoba oil and 5 teaspoons of either raw sugar or pink himalayan salt. I always start with the smaller amounts, and then add more if needed.

Mix everything really well, as this is your chance to make sure it’s incorporated. Then pour the soap mixture into your soap molds of choice. I find that this makes around 5 bars of soap, depending on the molds you use.

My personal recipe uses 30 drops of patchouli, 40 drops of grapefruit, and 15 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil.

STEP FIVE: Leave the soap in the molds for several hours up to overnight. I find the patchouli bar soap is usually ready after a few hours, but I like to leave it overnight to be sure it has hardened. Peel the molds back slowly and gently, so the top of the soap comes out clean and beautiful.

STEP SIX: If you aren’t going to use the natural soap bar right away, then you will need to wrap your soap so it stays in good condition for your future use.

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Patchouli Essential Oil Blends

How to Store Your Patchouli DIY Soap Bar

Plastic wrap, coffee filters, and parchment paper are great choices to wrap homemade soap. You can also use tissue paper, scrapbooking paper, and wrapping paper! Your best choice is going to depend on where you live as well as the humidity level. Of course, all melt-and-pour soap bars are definitely not a fan of humid conditions. In that case, the less air between your soap and your wrapping choice the better! Lots of people will choose plastic wrap to keep the humidity out of their soaps, especially in the summer.

Natural Bath Care DIY Recipes

Hi, I’m Kristin.

I am so glad you are here ready to make some really incredible diy recipes with simple ingredients. Join me in learning how to use essential oils in all of your homemade personal care products and creating a natural home.

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