Buy or Craft Aromatherapy Soap for Naturally Healthy Skin

One of the simplest, most pleasant ways to practice aromatherapy at home is to utilize aromatherapy soap in your bath or shower. Depending on your ambition, free-time and budget, you can craft your own aromatherapy soap or purchase ready made bars or liquid soaps. Either way, you will reap the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy every time you lather up.

Ready Made, Store Bought Aromatherapy Soap
The benefits of essential oils are dependent on their quality, and this is true of aromatherapy soap products, too. Aim to purchase only the best ready made soaps if you want a true aromatherapy cleansing experience. Ideally, the soap will contain all natural ingredients and be scented only with essential oils. Avoid soaps that fail to list their ingredients in their entirety. A well-crafted aromatherapy soap should contain only naturally derived bases and oils and other ingredients such as herbs. Artificial color enhancers are optional, but for a truly naturally derived soap they should be avoided.

Crafting Your Own Aromatherapy Soap

If you are interested in trying your hand at soap making, get started with the “melt and pour” method. Melt and pour soap making is the simplest way to craft homemade soaps with whatever essential oils, herbs, or other ingredients you decide to add. Follow these steps to make your own aromatherapy soap:

1. Obtain quality, pre-made soap base blocks that are unscented and uncolored. Vegetable oil based glycerin soap base is a natural emollient you may wish to try. Soap base is inexpensive and is available at most craft stores.
2. Melt the soap base in a glass bowl in the microwave or a double-boiler. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and heat one minute at a time if microwaving. Stir melting soap base as it softens and reheat as needed until fully melted.
3. Gradually and gently stir in essential oils, herbs, soap-safe dyes for coloring or other additives once the soap base is fully melted. Start by adding .25 oz of essential oil per pound of soap, adding more as needed. Since essential oils are concentrated, a little tends to go a long way. Avoid over-agitating melted soap as it will result in the formation of bubbles.
4. Pour the melted soap into molds. If bubbles form, spray the top of the molded soap with rubbing alcohol. Cover the molds with plastic wrap.
5. Allow the soap to harden for several hours at room temperature. The hardening process may be hastened by placing molds in the refrigerator.
6. Once hardened, gently remove soap from molds and trim or wipe away any imperfections. Soap is ready to use as soon as it is hardened and removed from molds.

There are many excellent choices for essential oils to add to your soaps. Some have astringent or anti-bacterial properties, while others are clarifying or soothing. Refer to a quality essential oil guide for safety and usage guidelines.
Some of the most popular essential oils used in soap making include: Lavender, Rosemary, Citrus Oils, Tea Tree Oil.