4 Ways To Use These Garden Herbs in Your Soaps
As a small-scale soapmaker, there's something incredibly satisfying about incorporating fresh herbs from your garden into your soap bars. Imagine transforming a simple herb into a luxurious bar of herbal soap that not only cleanses but also nurtures your skin. It’s an experience that connects you to nature, enhances your soapmaking, and allows you to create something truly personal. If you’re passionate about natural ingredients and want to make the most of your herb garden, this guide will show you how to infuse your soaps with the herbs you grow. I’ll cover which herbs are perfect for soapmaking, the skin benefits they offer, and share an easy-to-follow herb garden soap recipe to inspire your next creation.
Which Garden Herbs Can I Use for Soapmaking?
When it comes to making herbal soap, your garden is a treasure trove of possibilities. Many herbs that you already grow can bring a wealth of benefits to your soap, from soothing scents to gentle exfoliation and nourishing skin properties. For instance, lavender is a classic choice that’s beloved for its calming aroma. It’s not just about the fragrance, though; lavender is also great for soothing irritated skin and has mild antibacterial qualities. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to grow in most climates, making it a top pick for many soapmakers, especially when making a herbal soap.
Another herb that works wonders in soap is rosemary. Known for its invigorating scent, rosemary is ideal for people with oily skin, as it helps balance natural oils without stripping the skin. Rosemary is also packed with antioxidants, which are beneficial for protecting the skin from environmental stressors. Calendula is another favourite among soapmakers, especially for those with sensitive skin. Its petals add a touch of gentle exfoliation, and its anti-inflammatory properties can aid in healing and soothing the skin, making it perfect for delicate skin types.
Mint is another herb you might want to consider for your herbal soap, whether it’s peppermint or spearmint. The cooling effect of mint can be incredibly refreshing, especially in a morning shower, and it’s known for revitalising tired skin. Chamomile, with its sweet, subtle scent, is perfect for creating a calming, soothing bar of soap. It’s especially good for sensitive or dry skin, offering a gentle touch that pampers and protects.
These are just a few herbs that you can easily incorporate into your herbal soap, but the possibilities don’t end here. Herbs like thyme, sage, and even basil can all find a place in your soapmaking toolkit. The beauty of using garden herbs is that you can experiment with different combinations to create a herbal soap that is uniquely yours, both in scent and in benefits.
What Are the Benefits of Different Garden Herbs for the Skin?
Herbal soaps are much more than just beautifully scented bars. They offer genuine skin benefits that many commercial soaps can’t match. For instance, herbs rich in antioxidants, like rosemary and sage, help protect your skin from damage caused by environmental factors such as pollution and UV exposure. These antioxidants can even play a role in reducing signs of ageing, keeping your skin looking fresh and youthful.
Many herbs also boast anti-inflammatory properties, which are incredibly useful for those with sensitive or reactive skin. Calendula and chamomile are prime examples of herbs that calm and soothe the skin, reducing redness and irritation. This makes them excellent choices for herbal soap ingredients that anyone dealing with conditions like eczema or rosacea could benefit from.
Exfoliation is another benefit that herbs can bring to your soap. While exfoliating beads and scrubs can sometimes be too harsh, herbs like ground lavender buds or finely chopped peppermint leaves provide a gentler, natural alternative. They help slough off dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed without any of the harshness.
If you’re prone to breakouts or have acne-prone skin, antibacterial herbs like thyme and tea tree can be very helpful. They can help keep your skin clear by reducing the bacteria that contribute to acne, all without the drying effects of many commercial acne treatments. And let’s not forget the aromatherapy benefits. The natural scents of herbs like lavender, rosemary, and mint can elevate your mood, reduce stress, and even help you sleep better. Each bar of herbal soap is not just a cleanser but a little dose of wellness for both your skin and your senses.
Herb Garden Soap Recipe
If you’re ready to dive into making your own herbal soap, here’s a simple recipe that’s perfect for beginners. This herb garden soap is customisable with your favourite garden herbs, allowing you to experiment and find the combination that works best for you.
Ingredients:
- 500g olive oil
- 250g coconut oil
- 150g shea butter
- 100g sunflower oil
- 130g lye (sodium hydroxide)
- 300g distilled water
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
- 1 tablespoon dried calendula petals
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil as your base oils. These oils create a moisturising, lather-rich soap that feels luxurious on the skin. For the lye solution, carefully mix lye (sodium hydroxide) with distilled water, taking care to do this in a well-ventilated area while wearing protective gear like gloves and goggles. The process of combining lye and water is critical, so make sure to add the lye to the water (not the other way around) to avoid a dangerous reaction.
Once your lye solution is prepared and cooled to around 40°C, gently heat your oils until they’re fully melted and also cooled to the same temperature. Combine the lye solution with the oils by slowly pouring it into the pot while stirring continuously. To achieve a smooth mixture, use an immersion blender and blend until you reach a light trace, which means the soap mixture has thickened slightly.
Now comes the fun part - adding your herbs and essential oils. For this herbal soap recipe, dried lavender buds and calendula petals are perfect. They not only add beautiful texture and visual appeal to your soap but also infuse it with their soothing properties. Stir in the herbs along with a few drops of lavender and rosemary essential oils to enhance the scent and skin benefits. Pour the mixture into soap molds, smoothing the tops, and give the molds a few gentle taps on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
After 24 hours, your soap should be firm enough to remove from the molds. Cut it into bars and allow them to cure in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks. This curing time is crucial as it allows the soap to fully harden and the lye to neutralise, making it safe and gentle for use on your skin. The end result is a batch of beautifully crafted herbal soaps that you can proudly use or gift to others.
How To Use Garden Herbs and Harvest in Homemade Skincare Products?
Using herbs from your garden in soapmaking is just the beginning. You can also incorporate them into a variety of other homemade skincare products, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of your garden herbs in multiple ways. When it comes to harvesting your herbs, timing is everything. The best time to pick herbs is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun’s heat has fully set in. This is when the essential oils in the herbs are most potent, ensuring you get the maximum benefits when you use them in your products.
Once harvested, it’s important to dry your herbs properly to preserve them. You can hang them in small bunches in a warm, dry place away from direct sunlight, or use a dehydrator if you have one. Dried herbs are ideal for soapmaking and other skincare uses, as they won’t introduce excess moisture into your products.
One fantastic way to use herbs is by infusing them into oils. This process involves placing dried herbs in a jar, covering them with a carrier oil like olive or sunflower oil, and letting them sit in a warm spot for several weeks. The result is an infused oil that can be used in soaps, salves, lotions, or even directly on the skin as a moisturiser. Herbal infusions capture the essence and benefits of the herbs in a form that’s easy to incorporate into various products.
Yet another way to harness the power of garden herbs is by making herbal extracts. These can be created by steeping herbs in alcohol or glycerin. Herbal extracts are potent and can be added to soaps to introduce the herbs’ properties without altering the texture of the soap. You can also use them in toners or facial mists for a refreshing, herb-infused boost.
Herbal scrubs are another simple yet effective use of your garden herbs. By mixing dried herbs with sugar or salt, you can create a gentle exfoliating scrub that not only leaves your skin feeling smooth but also imparts the soothing and aromatic properties of the herbs. A lavender and sugar scrub, for instance, is perfect for winding down after a long day, while a rosemary and salt scrub can invigorate and energise your morning routine.
The beauty of using garden herbs in your homemade skincare products lies in the control it gives you over what you’re putting on your skin. You know exactly what’s in your products, and you can tailor them to suit your skin’s needs, all while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of working with fresh, natural ingredients.
Why Making Your Own Herbal Soap is Worth It?
Creating your own herbal soap is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to connect with nature, personalise your skincare, and make eco-friendly choices. When you make herbal soap at home, you have complete control over every ingredient that goes into it. This means no hidden chemicals, artificial fragrances, or preservatives—just pure, natural goodness that’s tailored to your skin’s needs. Plus, there’s the satisfaction of crafting something with your own hands, a tangible product that’s the result of your effort and creativity.
Beyond the personal benefits, making herbal soap is also a sustainable choice. By using herbs from your garden and opting for natural ingredients, you’re taking a step towards reducing your environmental footprint. You’re avoiding plastic packaging, cutting down on waste, and supporting a lifestyle that values natural resources. In a world that’s increasingly conscious of environmental impact, these small actions can make a big difference.
Handmade herbal soap also makes for a thoughtful, personalised gift. Imagine giving someone a beautifully wrapped bar of soap infused with lavender from your garden, or a minty bar that’s perfect for a refreshing shower. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to share your love of natural skincare with others, and it’s sure to be appreciated.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned soapmaker or just beginning to explore the world of handmade soaps, incorporating herbs from your garden can add a whole new dimension to your creations. Herbal soap offers a beautiful, natural way to care for your skin, and the process of making it is both rewarding and enjoyable. So why not give it a try? Roll up your sleeves, gather some herbs from your garden, and start crafting. Your skin, your senses, and even the planet will thank you for it.
This article was all about herbal soaps - which garden herbs are suitable to incorporate into herbal soap recipes, as well as four ways to do so when making DIY homemade garden herb soaps.