Classic Cedarwood and Coconut Milk Shaving Soap Recipe

1. Combine the distilled water and coconut milk. Wearing protective gloves and eyewear, carefully stir both types of lye into the combined water and milk mixture until completely dissolved. Set the lye solution aside to cool slightly while preparing the butters and oils. Melt the butters and coconut oil, then add them with the castor oil into a 2 quart (1.89 L) slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker’s heat to low.
2. Pour the lye solution into the warmed oils and start stirring, using a combination of hand stirring and an immersion blender until trace is reached. This may take anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of the coconut milk used and temperature of the oils, lye solution and slow cooker.
3. Once trace is reached, cover the slow cooker and allow the soap to cook undisturbed, checking every 15 minutes to be sure it’s not overflowing from the cooker and stirring as needed. The soap will go through several stages as it cooks, resembling a thin porridge that noticeably thickens over cook time. (See three pictures below, which show the batter after 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes)
4. Liquid may pool up and separate from the soap batter while it cooks, but that’s normal. After 45 minutes of cooking, remove the lid and stir the soap. After stirring, there will likely be visible lumps of soap forming in the otherwise liquid soap batter; this is normal.
5. Cook the soap an additional 15 minutes or until it’s transparent and resembles thick petroleum jelly or glossy mashed potatoes when stirred. To make sure it’s fully cooked, remove a tiny bit of soap batter, let it cool to a comfortable temperature and dab just the tip of your tongue on it. If you feel a zapping sensation, similar to licking a battery, it needs to cook longer. If it just tastes like soap, it’s fully cooked. Regardless of the outcome, be sure to rinse your mouth out thoroughly after this test. (See photos below, which show batter before stirring and after stirring)
6. Turn the slow cooker off. In a small bowl, mix the vegetable glycerin and essential oils together. Stir this mixture into the still hot soap batter. The glycerin will help loosen the soap, making it easier to work with and helps promote a better lather once the soap is cured.
7. Spoon the soap batter into a silicone column mold or press it into individual round molds.The rounded shape makes it easier to fit inside a shaving mug or bowl.
8. Leave the soap in the molds, uncovered, for 24 hours or until completely cool. Cure the soaps for at least 3 weeks before use, allowing excess water to evaporate out, yielding a harder bar with better lather.

Tip: To use shave soap, place the soap round in a small bowl or mug. Generously splash some water on the shaving brush and in the bowl/mug and start making a vigorous circular motion over the soap with your brush for a few minutes until a thick creamy lather forms.

Variation: For a fun floral variation, try adding 1 teaspoon (3.6 g) of rose or purple clay to the hot lye solution, for color, along with 0.17 (5 g) lavender or geranium essential oil. A shave brush will be required to work up the proper amount of lather.

More from Simple and Natural Soapmaking:
• Creamy Avocado Soap
• Orange Honey Shampoo Bars

Reprinted with permission from Simple and Natural Soapmaking by Jan Berry and published by Page Street Publishing, 2017. Buy this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Simple & Natural Soapmaking