There is a huge variety of things you can add to a soap to give it some texture and that extra little something to make it special. Here are a few ideas….
We know that Apricot Kernel Oil is a good, moisturising oil to use in soap but adding pulped dried apricots can not only give your soap colour but will add skin softening properties, vitamins and minerals.
Aloe Vera Gel can add soothing, moisturising qualities to a soap bar for dry, chapped skin.
A small amount of Borax is an excellent addition to a laundry soap. It increases the cleaning power, and acts as a water softener and disinfectant.
Finely ground coffee can be useful in a kitchen soap s it’s odour removing qualities help to remove strong smells such as onion or garlic from your hands.
Glycerine is an effective humectant, drawing moisture to the skin and increasing the moisturising properties of the soap.
Lanolin is sheep wool fat. It has exceptional skin softening qualities for even the driest skin.
A good abrasive for a foot soap or gardeners or mechanics hand soap is Pumice powder. This ground volcanic rock removes dry skin and calluses and helps to remove tough grease and grime.
Seaweed Powder can help to improve the texture and colour of the skin.
Shea Butter not only helps to make a harder soap bar, its moisturising and nourishing properties and a truly creamy, luxurious quality to your soap.
Adding Vitamin E to your soap not only adds all its beneficial properties, its antioxidant qualities make it a useful preserving addition to a soap if you have added any herbs or flowers.
Crushed Walnut Shell is an excellent natural abrasive that is more gentle than many other abrasives, making it a good option for a body soap.