Fall is when I get crafty. Something about winter approaching and cool weather makes me want to create and stock up. I make this charcoal facial soap each year since one batch makes about 10 bars. I can gift them and make myself a nice inventory. I’ve been using this soap religiously for years. It’s gently cleansing, detoxing, and makes my skin feel smooth. I love that I know exactly what’s in it – no crazy ingredients, nothing I can’t pronounce, and I can play with it if I feel like adding anything new. I love the deep charcoal color and the smell.
It’s inexpensive and easy to make. I use a goat’s milk base you can find here, and add a few other ingredients. Goat’s milk is nourishing and hydrating, and great as a make up remover. Charcoal powder unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells. Bentonite clay detoxifies your skin. I add lavender, frankincense and myrrh, but you can add any essential oils you love. Once the ingredients are mixed, you simply pour and set. A silicone soap mold is nice to have but you can use a loaf pan and cut the soap after it sets.
Charcoal facial soap makes a great gift – bring it to a housewarming, add to a birthday gift, or it works as a stocking stuffer – so many options! You can use the goat’s milk base and add seasonal essential oils and colors, replacing the charcoal and clay. Adding tumeric would make a cool hue and adding a pumpkin or cinnamon oil would make a great hand soap for the fall.
The crescents are goat’s milk plus essential oils. The bars are what have the amazing charcoal and bentonite clay mix. I added the crescents for looks, and because this is soap is part of my nightly routine. I use it everyday, sometimes following with an exfoliating scrub. Find links to the ingredients and tools below!
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. goat’s milk soap base
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay powder
- 10 drops + 1 ounce of essential oil of choice separated – I use lavender and frankincence and myrrh blended
To make crescents, melt 1/5 of goat’s milk base by heating for 30 seconds until melted in microwave. Once fully melted, add essential oils and pour into crescent molds. Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes or until set.
For bars, in a microwave-safe bowl melt goat’s milk base and coconut oil, checking every 30-45 seconds and giving a little stir. Once fully melted, add charcoal powder, bentonite clay, and essential oils. Stir until combined. Pour into molds and set for 5 minutes in refrigerator.
Add crescents to top of bars. If they won’t stick to the top, hold crescent over burner for a few seconds, then press onto top of bar. This slightly melts the bottom to adhere it to the bar. Depending on how solid your bars are, don’t apply too much pressure.
Store in plastic bags or an airtight container.
