Intro to Soap Making

Have you ever thought about trying your hand at making soap, but you weren’t quite sure where to start? That’s ok, we’ve all been there! Today, we’re going to look at the most common methods of soap making.

The three processes we’re going to look at are hot process, cold process, and melt and pour. Hot and cold process soaps use lye + fat + liquid to make the soap, while melt and pour comes with all of that already done for you.

Cold Process

In cold process soap mixing your lye, liquid (water, but sometimes milk, which takes a few additional steps to work with), and fat (generally vegetable oils) together, which causes a chemical reaction called saponification. You pour your liquid “soap” into a mold and allow it to set up and then you can either leave it in the mold or cut it after 24 to 36 hours. Whichever you choose to do, leave in the mold or cut; your soap then needs to sit for 4 to 6 weeks to cure.

Hot Process

Hot process is very much like cold process in that you’re still mixing lye, liquid, and fat together. In hot process though, you use a heat source to make the saponification reaction happen much more quickly. Generally, people like to use crock pots as their heat source for this. The rest of the process is identical to cold process in that you pour the liquid into molds and allow it to set up. Hot process soaps don’t need as long to cure as cold process, but you should still leave them to sit for a week or two – you’ll find the texture is a lot better after this time.

Melt and Pour

Melt and pour soap is hands-down the easiest way of making soap because you start with a soap base that has already gone through the processing and is ready to use immediately. All you need to do is simply melt down the soap base in a crockpot, double boiler, or even a microwave, pour it into molds, let it cool and set, and voila, you’ve got your very own handmade soap!

There’s no right or wrong method to choose when getting into soap making, it’s all in what you like and what’s most enjoyable to you. I personally always suggest starting out with melt and pour soap because it takes the least amount of equipment and time to get started. It’s a great way to see if you like the process and if it’s something you want to dive deeper into. Either way you go though, you’re sure to impress your friends and family with your very own, handcrafted soap creations.

Happy Crafting!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been caught out without sunscreen—and paid the price with lobster-red shoulders, itchy rashes, or skin so tender you could cry brushing against cotton sheets. Been there, done that (more than once if I’m honest). Whether it’s summer sunburn, winter windburn, or a splash from a hot pan, our skin sometimes needs a little extra TLC—and that’s where this DIY Burn Relief Soap comes in.

This homemade soap bar is designed to calm, hydrate, and gently cleanse burned or irritated skin. Made with a melt-and-pour soap base, soothing aloe vera, and essential oils like lavender and chamomile, it’s gentle enough for daily use—even for kids or those with sensitive skin.

Think of it as first-aid meets spa day in a soap bar.

Why This Soap Works for Burn Relief

Each ingredient in this recipe has a soothing purpose—no fillers, no synthetics, just skin-loving goodness:

Aloe Vera Gel
Famous for its burn-healing powers, aloe is cooling, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory. It speeds up healing and eases discomfort on contact.
Chamomile-Infused Oil
Chamomile contains bisabolol and apigenin—natural compounds known to reduce redness, calm inflammation, and support skin regeneration.
Lavender Essential Oil
Not just for relaxation, lavender is also antimicrobial and helps soothe painful skin. It may even reduce scarring over time.
Goat’s Milk or Aloe Melt and Pour Base
A gentle, nourishing base loaded with vitamins, perfect for dry or damaged skin. The creamy lather won’t strip away your natural oils.
Tea Tree Oil (Optional)
A drop or two adds antibacterial support, especially if your burn is the result of heat rash or has broken the skin.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 lb goat’s milk or aloe vera melt-and-pour soap base
2 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel (no alcohol or colorants)
1 tablespoon chamomile-infused oil
(You can DIY this by steeping dried chamomile flowers in sweet almond or olive oil for 1–2 weeks)
10 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)
Silicone soap mold
Rubbing alcohol (for surface bubbles, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Melt the Soap Base

Cut the melt-and-pour soap base into small cubes for even melting. Use a double boiler or microwave in short 20–30 second bursts, stirring often until smooth.

2. Add Aloe Vera and Oils

Remove from heat and stir in the aloe vera gel and chamomile-infused oil. Mix gently until fully combined.

3. Add Essential Oils

Once the soap cools slightly but is still pourable, add the lavender (and optional tea tree) essential oil. Avoid adding them while the soap is too hot, or they’ll evaporate.

4. Pour Into Molds

Carefully pour the mixture into your soap molds. Spritz the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove bubbles.

5. Let It Set

Allow the soaps to cool and harden completely—usually 3–4 hours at room temp, or pop into the fridge to speed things up.

6. Unmold and Store

Once firm, gently pop out your bars. Store in an airtight container or wrap in wax paper to keep them fresh and prevent “soap sweating.”

How to Use Your Burn Relief Soap

Use in the shower or bath after sun exposure or any time your skin feels tight, hot, or inflamed.
Gently lather with lukewarm water—avoid hot water, which can aggravate burns.
Pat skin dry with a soft towel and follow with a natural after-sun lotion or body oil for extra moisture.

Make It Your Own – Variations & Tips

Add Oatmeal: For extra calming, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of finely ground oats (colloidal oatmeal works best).
Extra Cooling: Add 2–3 drops of peppermint essential oil for a gentle cooling tingle—great for sunburn.
Herbal Layer: Place dried calendula or chamomile petals in the bottom of your mold before pouring the soap for a botanical, handmade look.
Mini Soaps: Pour into mini silicone molds to make burn relief travel soaps for beach bags, camping kits, or gifts.

Safety Notes

This soap is ideal for minor burns, sunburns, and skin irritation.
Don’t use on open blisters or severe burns—in that case, stick to medical treatment.
Always do a patch test if you’re using a new essential oil or ingredient, especially for kids or sensitive skin.

Perfect For…

After-sun showers
Camping and travel first aid kits
Gift baskets for gardeners, surfers, or outdoor lovers
Care packages for new mums or anyone with sensitive skin
Self-care stash for menopause-related heat sensitivity

Making your own burn relief soap is such a simple but powerful way to care for your skin naturally—and it feels especially good knowing there are no sneaky synthetic additives or harsh ingredients lurking in your bar. Just healing herbs, soothing oils, and a whole lot of love.

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