Now, I still certainly don't want to produce a skin-drying soap, which coconut oil by itself would ordinarily produce. Apparently the way to counteract this effect is to superfat the soap at 20%, which means only using enough sodium hydroxide to turn 80% of the coconut oil into soap, leaving 20% as "free floating". After all, raw coconut oil (that hasn't been turned into soap) is extremely moisturising and very good for skin. It also has a long shelf-life so the soap itself isn't going to suddenly go rancid because of all the free-floating oil.
I found most of this information from these websites then formulated my own recipe:
Candle and Soap
Modern Soap Making
Soap Queen
I wanted a pale, icy blue coloured soap with pieces of clear glycerine embedded in the soap to resemble pieces of ice. I was pleased with how it turned out, it certainly has an icy look about it. I used peppermint essential oil to add to its freshness.
My Recipe for Coconut Oil Soap
1000g coconut oil265g de-mineralised water
142g sodium hydroxide
clear glycerine, chopped into pieces
a wee bit of blue oxide (dispersed in water first)
30g peppermint essential oil
WARNING: If this is your first cold process soap you need to learn the basics first as I won't be explaining them in this recipe. Here are two videos on how to make cold process soap by the Soap Queen you should watch first - Lye Safety & Ingredients and Basic Terms. It is important that safety procedures be strictly followed as sodium hydroxide, if not used properly, can cause serious injury and death.
* Weigh water and use a bit to disperse approx 1/4 tsp blue oxide
* Mix remaining water and sodium hydroxide and cool to approx 35-40 degrees celcius
* Meanwhile, melt coconut oil
* Blend coconut oil and lye (water + NaOH) together until trace is reached
* Add colour bit by bit until satisfied, then essential oil, and stir thoroughly to mix
* Pour batter into mould (I use this one)
* Sprinkle glycerine pieces on top of soap then press down into soap (wearing gloves!!)
* Spray with isopropyl alcohol and leave to saponify and harden (approx 24 hours)
* Slice and cure for 4-6 weeks