Whipped Soap Base From Scratch

In a previous post, I shared a recipe for whipped soap using soap scraps. This post will explain how to make whipped soap base from solid surfactants and other ingredients.

Whipped soap is sometimes called foaming cream or whipped sugar scrub (the whipped soap plus granulated sugar for exfoliation).
Whipped soaps, or cream soaps, have a thick, creamy foaming lather.

After making the whipped soap base, you can later use it for face-foaming scrubs, face wash or body products.

You can use whipped soap in place of a soap bar or shaving cream. If you adjust the PH to around five, you can also use whipped soap as a hair wash.

At the end of this post, you will find two more recipes using the whipped soap base to make a face scrub, and a body wash.

Whipped soap is made of SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) as the primary surfactant. If you have made a solid shampoo bar before, you know SCI is a very mild solid surfactant obtained from Coconut Oil.

Remember to use a respiratory mask when working with fine powders.

To boost the foaming abilities of this whipped soap, we add Coco betaine or Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a gentle liquid secondary surfactant.

To the surfactants, we add glycerin (a humectant that functions as a moisturizing agent to trap the moisture it draws into the skin) and stearic acid as a thickening agent and for its emollient properties.

This recipe is for 300g if you want to make a larger batch use the calculator to adjust the amount.

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients (except the preservative) into a heat resistant container (choose a big enough container so we can later whip the soap). Remember to use a respiratory mask when working with fine powders.

2. Place the container into a double boiler on medium heat for 20-25 min. If you are using SCI noodles, you may need an extra 10 minutes to melt the noodles completely.

3. When all ingredients are melted, remove from the heat and let the mixture cool down to room temperature.

4. Once cooled down, use an immersion blender or a mixture to blend everything to a creamy consistency. Blending time depends on the amount of whipped soap you make.

5. Add the preservative and mix to combine. If you use another cosmetic preservative, check the supplier's instructions and use it accordingly.

6. Leave the whipped soap to harden for a couple of hours.

7. Check the PH and adjust if necessary. PH between 5-6 is fine. To read more about PH adjustments, check this post.

Now that your whipped soap base is ready, you can make many products.

Mix the whipped soap base with a mixture (a whisk) to create a fluffy, creamy texture.

Here are two recipes that use the whipped soap base: a hibiscus face scrub and a turmeric face and body wash:

Hibiscus face scrub

Measure all the ingredients in a container, and mix to combine. If you want the product to be extra fluffy, start by mixing the whipped soap base and add the rest of the ingredients after.

Don't forget to check and adjust the PH.

You can use any carrier oil you prefer and swap the hibiscus extract with other extracts.

You have to add preservatives for the amount of ingredients we added that do not contain a preservative.

If you use another cosmetic preservative, check the supplier's instructions and use it accordingly.

Turmeric face and body wash

If you want to read about oil infusions, please check this post.

Measure all the ingredients in a container, and mix to combine. If you want the product to be extra fluffy, start by mixing the whipped soap base and add the rest of the ingredients after.

I use the same oil infusion I've used in these turmeric face washes Turmeric Face Wash with Polysorbate 80 and Turmeric Face Wash with Lysolecithin.

Don't forget to check and adjust the PH. I added a few drops of lactic acid 80% solution to lower the PH to 5.

To read more about PH adjustments, check this post.

You can pipe the whipped soap.

You can replace the pineapple extract with other extracts you prefer.

You have to add preservatives for the amount of ingredients we added that do not contain a preservative.

If you use another cosmetic preservative, check the supplier's instructions and use it accordingly.

Related articles:

• Whipped Sugar Scrub from Soap Scraps

• Infusing Oils (no heating)

• How to Adjust the PH Level in Cosmetics

• Turmeric Face Wash with Lysolecithin

• Turmeric Face Wash with Polysorbate 80

• Ingredients and Tools to Start Making Your Cosmetics

• Shampoo Bar for Beginners