Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Recipe with Floral Essential Oils: Easy DIY

The end result? A nourishing, feminine-scented soap that will pamper your skin and delight your senses.

Creating this exquisite soap is surprisingly simple, even for beginners.

Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Recipe: Ingredients

• 1 lb Shea Butter Melt And Pour Soap Base
• 16 drops Rose essential oil
• 10 drops Jasmine essential oil
• 2 tbsp Dried Rose Petals, crushed
• ½ tsp Red Mica Powder
• Butterfly Soap Molds
• Microwave-Safe Measuring Cup
• Wooden craft stick or Glass Rod for stirring
• (optional) Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol

This shea butter soap recipe makes 12 butterfly-shaped bars.

A Note About Choosing Your Soap Mold: You don’t have to use the same type of soap mold that I used. A mold in any shape will work just as well. I came across these rose-shaped soap molds, which would also work great for this shea butter soap recipe. Use the same instructions as below

How To Make Melt And Pour Shea Butter Soap: Step-By-Step Instructions

Divide the shea butter soap base into two halves. We will use one half to make the pink soaps embedded with rose petals and the second half to make the white soaps.

To make the white rose-petal soaps:

Step 1: Cut 1/2 the shea butter soap base into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2: Put half of the soap cubes into a microwave-safe glass container and melt in 30-second increments, stirring between each heating session, until fully melted.

Step 3: Let it cool just a little bit and add 5 drops of jasmine essential oil, and 8 drops of rose essential oil. High temperatures damage the volatile properties of essential oil so you want the soap base to cool down a bit. Stir gently.

Step 4: Stir in 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals. Stir gently to distribute it evenly.

Step 5: Pour into the molds, and allow to set for 1-2 hours, until hardened.

To make the pink butterfly soap:

This has an additional step – adding the color.

Step 1: Cut the second half of the shea butter soap base into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2: Put the soap cubes into a microwave-safe glass container and melt in 30-second increments, stirring between each heating session, until fully melted.

Step 3: Add 5 drops of jasmine essential oil and 8 drops of rose essential oil. Same as before, wait for the soap to cool down a bit. Stire gently.

Step 4: Stir in the mica powder and stir well till the melted soap is a solid color.

Step 5: Stir in 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals.

Step 6: Pour into the molds, and allow to set for 1-2 hours, until hardened.

Curing Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap

While this melt and pour shea butter soap recipe doesn’t require an extended curing period, the final product will benefit from a short rest, called the curing period. This helps the soap to harden and develop its full fragrance.

Allow your soap to set completely in the molds: Depending on the weather and humidity this could take a few hours. Don’t rush the process. If the soap is not fully set, it will stick to the mold and look messy when unmolded.

Wait a few hours before checking if the soap comes off the mold easily. If it looks ready, only then proceed to carefully unmold your soap bars.

Place the soap bars on a wire rack in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and let them air-dry. This allows excess moisture to evaporate.

Resist the temptation to use your soap immediately. Give it a little time to mature, and you’ll be rewarded with a harder, longer-lasting bar that delivers optimal lather and fragrance.

While melt and pour soap doesn’t require weeks of curing, a day or two can improve the soap’s hardness and fragrance.

Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Recipe: Understanding The Ingredients

The ingredients used in this soap recipe are not just picked at random. Every single ingredient contributes some benefits to the final product.

Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base

Melt and pour soap base with shea butter offers a two-in-one benefit, making it a popular choice for homemade soap enthusiasts. Here’s why:

Rich in Shea Butter: This base is infused with the nourishing properties of shea butter, known for its deep hydration, skin-softening qualities, and ability to soothe irritated skin.

Pre-Made and Convenient: Unlike traditional cold-process soap making, melt and pour bases eliminate the need for complex chemical reactions, making it a beginner-friendly option.

Versatile: Shea butter melt and pour soap bases are highly versatile, allowing you to customize your soap with a variety of additives like essential oils, colorants, and exfoliants.

Quick & Easy: The process of melting, mixing, and pouring is relatively simple and can be completed in a short amount of time.

Gentle on the Skin: Shea butter is naturally gentle and moisturizing, making it suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

Luxurious Lather: Soap with shea butter produces a rich creamy lather that leaves your skin feeling soft and pampered.

With a shea butter melt and pour soap base, you enjoy the convenience of a pre-made soap foundation while your skin benefits from the natural, nourishing properties of shea butter.

Floral Essential Oils

Floral essential oils are concentrated extracts obtained from plant petals, capturing their essence in liquid form. These oils are renowned for their soft, sweet aromas and therapeutic properties.

Rose and Jasmine are two popular floral scents used in soap-making. Both offer calming and uplifting aromas that promote relaxation and stress relief. Jasmine and rose essential oils are also known for their skin-soothing and rejuvenating properties, helping to improve skin tone and texture.

Benefits of Rose Essential Oil: The queen of flowers, rose essential oil has a distinctly feminine floral fragrance that uplifts the spirit and promotes relaxation. It is also known for its skin-soothing properties, helping to reduce redness and inflammation.

Benefits of Jasmine Essential Oil: With its intoxicating and sensual aroma, jasmine essential oil is often associated with love and passion. Beyond its captivating fragrance, jasmine oil is prized for its rejuvenating and balancing effects on the skin. It helps to improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and promote a radiant complexion.

Note: Rose and Jasmine top the list of best aphrodisiac essential oils, which makes these the best floral scents to use to create a romantic ambiance.

Melt & Pour Shea Butter Soap Recipe Customization Ideas

Customize With Different Essential Oil Blends

While jasmine and rose are great options if you like feminine floral scents, there’s a world of floral aromas to explore. Experiment with different combinations to find your signature fragrance.

Consider complementing your chosen floral notes with woody, citrusy, or earthy essential oils for added depth and complexity.

Here’s a look at some alternative floral essential oil combinations for your melt and pour soap:

• Lavender and Chamomile: This classic combination offers a soothing and calming aroma, perfect for relaxation.
• Geranium and Ylang-ylang: A luxurious blend that promotes a sense of balance and well-being.
• Unexpected Floral Combinations
• Rose and Vanilla: A sweet and romantic pairing that adds depth and warmth to the floral notes.
• Jasmine and Sandalwood: This exotic combination creates a sensual and exotic fragrance.
• Lavender and Lemon: A refreshing and energizing blend that uplifts the spirits.

Don’t be afraid to try different combinations and create your own unique blends but keep these two tips in mind at all times:

• Always start with a few drops of each oil and gradually increase the amount to your desired fragrance intensity. Essential oils have a strong smell and too much can be overpowering.
• Always conduct a patch test before using new essential oil blends on your skin.

You can create a truly personalized and luxurious spa experience by exploring different floral essential oil combinations.

Add a Touch of Nature with Dried Flowers

Instead of rose petals, consider adding dried lavender, dried calendula, or dried chamomile. All four flower options are great for the skin and are often used to make infused oils, which can be used directlly on the skin or in other skincare products.

Most importantly, ensure the flowers you use are completely dry to prevent mold growth. Carefully press the flowers into the melted soap base before it sets.

Infusing Color: A Splash of Personality

Transform your soap into a work of art by adding soap colorants. Mica powders offer a vibrant range of hues, while natural clays like French green clay or bentonite clay provide subtle earth tones.

Experiment with different colors to create a visually stunning soap. Add colorants sparingly and mix well until it is evenly colored to avoid clumps of color in your soap.

Remember, you can always add more color if you want but you cannot remove the extra if you add too much right at the start.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Soap is too soft: This might occur if the soap base wasn’t fully melted or if you added too much shea butter. Increase the curing time or add a small amount of clear melt and pour base to harden the soap.

Soap has air bubbles: Stirring the melted soap base too vigorously can introduce air bubbles. Let the soap base cool slightly before adding essential oils and other ingredients. Gently pour the soap into the molds to minimize bubble formation.

Soap doesn’t unmold easily: If the soap sticks to the mold, gently warm the mold with hot water for a few seconds before unmolding. Avoid using excessive force, as this can damage the soap.

With these customization tips, you can create unique and personalized melt and pour shea butter soaps that reflect your style and preferences.

The Importance of Using High-Quality Essential Oils

When making melt and pour soaps with essential oils, it is important to choose high-quality oils from reputed brands.

Pure essential oils offer the full spectrum of therapeutic benefits and are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. High-quality oils also tend to retain their scent longer in soap.

When purchasing essential oils, look for reputable brands that provide detailed information about the sourcing and extraction process. Consider oils labeled as organic or therapeutic grade for optimal quality.

By investing in high-quality essential oils, you’re not only enhancing the fragrance and therapeutic benefits of your soap but also supporting sustainable practices.

Safety Precautions When Using Essential Oils

While essential oils offer numerous benefits, it’s essential to handle them with care. Here are some safety precautions:

• Before using a new essential oil, conduct a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions.
• Store essential oils in dark glass bottles away from heat, light, and moisture to preserve their quality.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
• Avoid using essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing.
• If you have any concerns or questions about using essential oils, consult with an aromatherapist or healthcare provider.

By following these safety guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of essential oils while minimizing risks.

Storing Your Homemade Soap

Proper storage is essential to preserve the quality and longevity of your handmade soap. Here are some tips:
Cool, dry place: Store your soap in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Good air circulation: Ensure proper air circulation around your soap to prevent moisture buildup.
Avoid humidity: High humidity can cause your soap to “sweat” or develop
Wrapping: While optional, wrapping your soap in paper or placing it in a soap saver bag can help maintain its moisture levels.

Remember, soap making is a creative journey, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and fragrances to create your own unique masterpiece.

Share your soap-making adventures with friends and family, and inspire others to embark on their own DIY skincare journey.

Gift Giving with Your Shea Butter Soap

Handcrafted shea butter with floral essential oil makes a perfect gift for any occasion. Here are some ideas to elevate your soap as a thoughtful present:

• Elegant simplicity: Wrap your soap in tissue paper and tie it with a satin ribbon for a classic look.
• Rustic charm: Use kraft paper and twine for an eco-friendly and natural aesthetic.
• Festive flair: Choose packaging that complements the occasion, such as red and gold for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
• Custom labels: Add a personal touch with custom-designed labels featuring the soap’s ingredients or a heartfelt message.

Gift Baskets: Create luxurious gift baskets centered around self-care and relaxation. Combine your shea butter soap with other pampering products like bath bombs, bath salts, body lotion, and scented candles. Include a small towel or bathrobe for an extra touch of indulgence.

Aromatherapy Gift Sets: For those who appreciate the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, create aromatherapy gift sets. Pair your jasmine and rose soap with other products infused with these calming scents, such as a diffuser, essential oil roller bottles, or scented candles.

Related Reads:

DIY Vanilla Scented Gift Ideas For All Occasions: Decadent & Luxurious Gifts

Aromatherapy Gift Baskets – Brilliant Gift Idea

Choosing Your Soap Base: Shea Butter vs. Goat Milk

While we’ve focused on shea butter for this recipe, you can also explore the benefits of goat milk melt and pour soap base.

Shea butter: Known for its deep hydration and skin-softening properties, shea butter is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It’s ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

Goat milk: Packed with lactic acid, goat milk soap is gentle on the skin and helps to exfoliate and brighten. It’s suitable for most skin types, including those prone to eczema.

Ultimately, the best soap base for you depends on your skin type and preferences. Experiment with both to find your favorite.

Here are a few more melt and pour soap recipes that you can experiment with using different combinations of bases, ingredients, and essential oils.

How to Make Sea Moss Soap Without Lye + Benefits & Customization

Easy Melt And Pour Soap Making With Kids

Easy DIY Recipes With Essential Oils

Relaxing Homemade Rose Petal Bath Bombs With Essential Oils – This bath bomb recipe also uses crushed rose petals.

Easy Melt And Pour Loofah Soap Recipe With Seasonal Exfoliants – You’ll find some cool ideas here for customizing exfoliating soaps for different seasons.

Luxurious Sea Moss Body Scrub Recipe For Soft Radiant Skin

Easy Bentonite Clay Detox Bath Recipe With Essential Oils

Luscious Lavender Beeswax Lip Balm Recipe