How to Make Melt and Pour Shaving Soap

Shaving soap is not that much different to the regular soap you buy at the supermarket, except for some added cosmetic clay. The clay helps give the soap that extra "slip" and also works to purify your skin.

For this project you will need:

Melt and Pour soap base - I'm using a plain white base, though you can use clear, aloe, goat's milk or other base just as easily

2 teaspoons of clay per pound of soap base - I prefer Bentonite clay, though you can buy other soap making clays direct)

A mug, cup or tin to put the soap into.

Fragrance or Essential oil appropriate for the person using the soap.

A basic understanding of, and equipment for, melt and pour soap making. (An adult will be needed for this activity.)

Though not a part of the recipe, you'll also need a shaving brush.

Warning: once you try a real soap to shave with, you'll never use a commercial shaving cream again!

Gather all of your ingredients together and melt your soap base in the microwave or a double boiler. As soon as it has melted, add in the two teaspoons of clay for each pound of soap base you've melted. Stir the mixture well, making sure that all of the clay gets dissolved. Add in your fragrance or essential oil and stir until it is thoroughly incorporated. Pour the liquid solution into your mugs or cups. If you have gotten a lot of bubbles from stirring, just lose them with a bit of rubbing alcohol. When the soap has cooled and thickened a bit, give it one gentler stir, because the clay can sometimes have a tendency to settle to the bottom of the mug.

That's it! Experiment with different clays, soap bases or fragrances. They'll all be just a little bit different. Remember that a real shaving soap is not going to be as foamy as a commercial shaving cream - but with the clay added in, it has just as much "slip."