Milk and Honey soap with lavender and oatmeal

I have a confession to make.

I am a soap snob.

Since starting to make my own homemade soap last year I just can't go back to the cheap soaps I was buying. I honestly used to buy whatever was on sale and didn't really think much about it. I bought a couple of Dr. Bronner's soap and though I really liked them they were pricey for our large family.

With a family of 7, we go through soap really fast. I think my kids could hold the world record of going from clean to dirty. I am so glad that they love playing outside but the downside is that usually means they are covered in dirt in a matter of minutes. I have tried to control how messy they get but I soon realized it was futile to hover over them and keep them from making mud pies and digging in the dirt. Did I mention I have four boys? Though my 1 daughter can hold her own with the messiest of them.

I absolutely love the Rosemary and Tea Tree oil soap recipe that I came up with last year, but I thought I would try my hand at a different soap this year.

I still am using my amazing goats milk soap base but instead of rosemary and tea tree oil I am using honey, oatmeal and lavender...mmmm...doesn't that just sound so soothing and comforting? Well it is!

Goats milk is great for people with sensitive skin or who suffer from psoriasis and eczema. My son has eczema so I have really been trying to use body products that won't irritate his skin. And of course goats milk makes a moisturizing soap for those with normal skin. With dryer, colder weather upon us I know my skin could use some moisturizing!

Oatmeal is also beneficial for those that have skin conditions and helps remove dead skin cells. So not only is oatmeal good for you to eat but it's great on your skin. I sometimes make a bath with oatmeal and lavender but I love having it in bar form because let's be honest, I probably take a bath 2x a year.

Honey is just the best! Having our own raw honey business I just can not say enough about this stuff! So, so many benefits for inside and outside our bodies! Honey is naturally antibacterial and helps fight acne. Am I the only one that still suffers from breakouts and acne?? I know I can use all the help I can get. It's also full of antioxidants and deters aging...if that's really possible. It also is creates a glowing complexion! Not too bad!

And Lavender has such an intoxicating, soothing smell that I had to add it, though it of course has beneficial properties for your skin. It fights bacteria that cause inflammation and acne. It relieves and reduces itching from eczema! Yay! It also has a ton of other great uses that I just don't have time to expound on, but we all know that we really love it's aroma.

Here is what you will need:

 1 lb. Organic Goat's milk soap base This soap base comes in 2 lbs. I usually double recipe and make enough to last a while.

1 1/2 oz.Beeswax  I of course have our own beeswax that we use.

 1 Tbs. Honey Again I use our own raw honey but any honey will work.

2 Tbs. Almond oil

20 drops. Lavender oil You could also opt out from using the oil as the soap smells so good on it's own but I think it really adds to the soap.

2 Tbs. Oatmeal I just used old fashioned oats.

Measuring cup

Soap mold

Kitchen scale

Spoon( just for mixing soap)

Glass bowl that fits on a pot.

Pot to make double boiler.

Instructions:
makes 4 big bars

Fill a post with water and place a heat proof bowl on top that fits to make a double boiler. I have a glass bowl that I use just for making soap. Keep on low. Should be simmering not boiling. Cut up soap base in pieces and place in bowl. Add beeswax. Mix until melted. Add in Almond oil and honey and stir till dissolved. Honey has a tendency to want to sink to bottom so make sure you incorporate it well. Use a coffee grinder to grind up oatmeal. I just cleaned out my coffee grinder and placed oatmeal in and ground with a few pulses. You want it to be fine but not too fine so that you can tell it's still oatmeal. Add oatmeal to mixture. Remove bowl from heat and add in lavender oil. Carefully pour into pyrex measuring cup. Mix really well before pouring into molds.

If you want oatmeal to be incorporated throughout soap really well you will need to mix with a toothpick in molds until firm. I just didn't have enough patience for that so I poured mixture in molds and let sit until firm then I put them in the freezer to speed up the process. I kind of liked the oatmeal being on one side. Just a disclaimer that once you start using soap the oatmeal will start to come off soap but I really like it on my face and can feel it softening my face. The beeswax really helps to keep soap in tact for a long time. We have been using one of the soap bars for almost two weeks now and it's still going strong. The beeswax does tend to want to sink to one side so be sure to incorporate well.  You could also add in dried lavender but I just prefered not to as it sheds from the soap.

Make sure soap has solidified and is firm and enjoy pampering your skin and your senses. I use it in the shower and in our sink to wash our hands but my favorite use for it is for my face. The smell and texture is just so comforting and soothing!

With Christmas right around the corner I can't think of a better gift to give your loved ones. I absolutely love getting gifts that are practical yet indulgent!

Have you made homemade soap before?

Let me know if you have any questions?

What's your favorite soap combination?

Linking up here!