Olive oil soap is a traditional soap made primarily from olive oil. It is renowned for its mildness, making it suitable for sensitive skin and even for babies. The soap-making process involves saponification, where lye (sodium hydroxide) reacts with oils to create soap. Olive oil soap has a unique creamy lather, which, while not as bubbly as soaps made with coconut oil, provides a moisturizing and nourishing experience.

Gentle on Skin: Olive oil soap is perfect for sensitive skin due to its moisturizing properties.
Natural Ingredients: Made with just a few simple ingredients, it avoids harsh chemicals found in many commercial soaps.
Hydrating: Olive oil helps to lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Antioxidant Properties: Rich in antioxidants, olive oil can help protect your skin from environmental damage.

To make a basic pure olive oil soap, you will need the following ingredients:

Olive Oil: 16 oz (454 g) of extra virgin or pomace olive oil.
Lye: 2.05 oz (58 g) of sodium hydroxide (lye).
Water: 3.67 oz (104 g) of distilled water.
Optional: 1 tsp of sodium lactate (to help harden the soap faster) and essential oils for fragrance.

Digital scale
Immersion blender
Heat-resistant containers
Soap mold
Thermometer
Safety gear (gloves, goggles)

Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation

Ensure you have a clean and organized workspace. Put on protective gear, including gloves and goggles, as you will be working with lye, which can be caustic.

Step 2: Make the Lye Solution

In a well-ventilated area, measure the distilled water into a heat-resistant container.
Slowly add the lye to the water (never the other way around) while stirring gently until fully dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Step 3: Heat the Olive Oil

Measure the olive oil and pour it into a stainless steel or heat-resistant bowl.
Heat the olive oil gently until it reaches about 100°F (38°C).

Step 4: Combine Lye and Oil

Once the lye solution has cooled to around 100°F (38°C), slowly pour it into the olive oil while stirring continuously.
Use an immersion blender to mix the solution until it reaches a light trace, which is the consistency of thin cake batter.

Step 5: Add Optional Ingredients

If you wish to add essential oils for fragrance or sodium lactate for faster hardening, do so at this stage and mix well.

Step 6: Pour into Molds

Carefully pour the soap mixture into your prepared molds.
Tap the molds gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.

Step 7: Insulate and Cure

Cover the molds with a towel to insulate and allow the soap to saponify for 24-48 hours. After this period, unmold the soap and cut it into bars.

Step 8: Cure the Soap

Place the cut bars on a drying rack in a well-ventilated area and allow them to cure for at least 4-6 weeks. This curing period allows the soap to harden and ensures that all lye has reacted.

Making pure olive oil soap at home is a rewarding and straightforward process. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic equipment, you can create a luxurious soap that is gentle on the skin and free from harsh chemicals. Whether you choose to customize it with essential oils or keep it plain, this olive oil soap will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated. Enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own soap and the benefits it brings to your daily skincare routine!

For more detailed information on soap making, check out resources like Lovely Greens and Almost Off Grid. Happy soap making!

• 16 oz (454 g) of olive oil (extra virgin or pomace)
• 2.05 oz (58 g) of sodium hydroxide (lye)
• 3.67 oz (104 g) of distilled water
  Optional: 1 tsp of sodium lactate for faster hardening and essential oils for fragrance.