How to Make Calendula Soap at Home (Recipe + Ingredients)
If you're reading this, you've probably heard of Calendula and are aware of its benefits, which include skin healing for both babies and adults with eczema, acne, or dry and irritable skin.
Now you want to make your own Calendula soap at home – but where do you start?
Here’s a simple step by step guide for beginners on how to make Calendula soap at home including the recipe and ingredients you can use.
Why is Calendula used in making soap?
Calendula is a special flower that works wonders for your skin.
If you have dry patches, eczema, or irritation, this plant can help soothe and heal.
It’s gentle enough for babies because it doesn’t have harsh chemicals—just natural goodness.
Calendula reduces redness, helps small cuts heal faster, and keeps your skin soft.
Imagine washing with something that feels like a hug for your skin! Plus, it’s safe for sensitive skin, so you won’t worry about rashes or reactions.
Whether you’re making soap for yourself or your little baby, calendula is a trusted friend for healthy, happy skin.
Calendula Soap Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the Calendula soap ingredients you need to gather before starting:
- Dried orange calendula petals (yellow ones won’t give the bright color you want)
- Olive oil (extra virgin works best for a golden color)
- Coconut oil (makes your soap bubbly)
- Shea butter (adds moisture for soft skin)
- Castor oil (helps create a creamy lather)
- Sodium hydroxide (lye) (this turns oils into soap—don’t worry, it’s safe when used right!)
- Distilled water (tap water has minerals that can mess up your soap)
- Essential oils (optional) (like lavender for a calming smell)
You’ll use these oils and petals to make a special calendula-infused oil first. This gives the soap its healing power and sunny color.
Tools and Equipment for Making Calendula Soap
You don’t need fancy tools, but these will make your job easier:
- A digital kitchen scale (to weigh ingredients exactly)
- Thermometer (to check oil and lye temperatures)
- Stick blender (mixes everything smoothly)
- Stainless steel pot (for melting oils)
- Heat-proof jug (for mixing lye and water)
- Silicone mold (shapes your soap—loaf molds work best)
- Safety goggles and gloves (lye can be dangerous—better safe than sorry!)
- Spatula and sieve (for stirring and straining)
Keep your workspace tidy and away from kids or pets. Wear long sleeves and open windows for fresh air while working with lye.
Step-by-Step Calendula Soap Recipe
Here's the Calendula soap recipe:
1. Make Calendula-Infused Oil (Start 1 Month Ahead)
- Fill a jar halfway with dried orange calendula petals.
- Pour olive oil over them until the jar is full.
- Close the lid, shake gently, and store in a dark place for 4 weeks. Shake it every few days.
- After a month, strain out the petals—you’ll have golden oil ready for soap!
2. Prepare Your Lye Solution
- Put on gloves and goggles.
- In a well-ventilated area, slowly pour lye into distilled water (NEVER water into lye—it can splash!). Stir until dissolved. It’ll get hot and steamy—let it cool to 100°F (38°C).
3. Melt the Oils
- In your pot, melt coconut oil and shea butter on low heat.
- Remove from heat, then add calendula-infused oil and castor oil. Stir well.
- Let the oils cool to 100°F (38°C).
4. Mix Lye and Oils
- Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils through a sieve (catches any lye bits).
- Use the stick blender to mix until it looks like pudding (“trace”). This takes 3-5 minutes.
- Add essential oils now if you want scent. Mix quickly!
5. Pour into Molds
- Pour the soap into your mold. Tap it on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Sprinkle dried petals on top for a pretty look (optional).
6. Gel the Soap for Brighter Color
- Place the mold in an oven turned OFF but preheated to 170°F (75°C). Leave it overnight. This deepens the color.
7. Cut and Cure
- After 24 hours, remove the soap from the mold. Cut it into bars with a knife.
- Let the bars cure for 4 weeks on a rack in a cool, dry place. This makes them harder and longer-lasting.
Customizing Your Calendula Soap
Want your soap to feel uniquely yours? You can easily tweak the recipe to match your skin’s needs or your favorite scents!
Start by picking oils that work for you—like swapping coconut oil for almond oil if your skin hates coconut.
Add a teaspoon of honey or oatmeal for extra softness, especially if you’re making soap for dry or sensitive skin.
Love pretty smells? Stir in a few drops of essential oils like lavender (calming) or citrus (energizing). Just skip these if you’re making soap for babies—their skin prefers unscented.
Want color? Mix in a pinch of turmeric for golden bars or spirulina powder for green. Avoid fake dyes—they’re not needed!
You can even decorate the top. Press dried lavender buds, rose petals, or extra calendula into the soap after pouring it into molds. It looks beautiful and feels fancy!
If you’re giving these as gifts, wrap them in recycled paper or fabric scraps for a personal touch.
Curing and Storing Your Calendula Soap
Curing is simple but important. Just let your soap sit untouched for 28 days.
This lets extra water evaporate, so the bar stays firm and gentle on your skin.
Store cured soap in a dry spot, like a linen closet.
Avoid humid bathrooms—moisture softens the bar. Properly cured soap lasts up to 2 years!
Conclusion
Now you know how to make Calendula soap at home! It’s always feels good amd rewarding knowing you created something natural from scratch that cares for your skin.
But if this feels like too much work, no stress—you can buy ready-made Calendula baby soap for 380/= at Baby Blossom Baby Shop in Nairobi. Our Calendula soap is gentle, safe, and perfect for busy parents.
