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If someone mentions clay and pottery is the only thing that comes to mind, it's time you got your clayology degree. Clay is an amazingly versatile beauty aid women and men have used for centuries. Get your mind out of the garden. Exotic clays come from places that are -- well, exotic. Treehugger.com states that you can't find a clay that does a better job of drawing out facial impurities than red Rhassoul, so if you can't decide which clay to use for your first soap-making project, start there.
Earth Clay Jojoba Soap
This melt and pour recipe requires you to melt a pound of glycerin soap in the microwave oven. Once it's liquefied, place 1 tbsp. of the glycerin into a dish with 1 tbsp. of clay (Rhassoul, Bentonite or Kaolin all work). Mix and mash until you've produced a smooth, lump-free paste. Add 2 tbsp. of Jojoba oil, the remaining glycerin soap and ¼ cup of distilled water. Experiment with a few drops of vegetable coloring and/or essential oils if you like. Mix thoroughly and pour the mixture into soap molds or muffin tins.
Clay Shaving Soap
Microwave 8 to 12 oz. of glycerin soap until it's liquefied. Add ¾ oz. of any essential oil -- aloe vera and lemon are great for guys -- and 1 tsp. of clay. For normal skin, use French green clay; yellow Bentonite for dry skin or Rhassoul clay if your homemade face soap is for Dad's mature skin. The following are optional, but any or all will make the soap more nutrient rich: 1/8 tsp. of natural vitamin E, ¼ cup silk protein and ½ tsp. collagen. Pour the mixture into individual soap molds or large decorative ceramic mug and let the clay soap harden. Try it on your legs if you're a shower shaver.
Olive Oil and Clay Face Soap
Start with glycerin soap, soap base or flakes. Melt down 4 oz. of your favorite in a double boiler or nuke it in the microwave. Once the base is liquefied, add a tablespoon of any type of earth clay you prefer, 2 tbsp. of olive oil and ¼ cup of water. The texture will be smooth once you've blended everything together. Now's the time to add a drop of vegetable color if you want tinted soap or a drop of scent -- like neroli, lavender, orange blossom or a citrus-based essential oil. Pour the mixture into molds and allow your clay soap to harden.
Kaolin-Based Face Soap
Melt a pound of glycerin base soap in the microwave. Measure 1 tbsp. of Kaolin clay and slowly sprinkle and mix it into the glycerin to remove lumps. Add 2 tbsp. of Jojoba oil, ¼ cup distilled water and ½ oz. of your favorite fragrance to the mix. Some soapologists recommend waiting until the mixture starts cooling before adding fragrance, but you can't mess this recipe up if you don't. Pour it into individual soap molds. If you don't like oxygen bubbles, mist the cake tops with rubbing alcohol and allow the clay soap to harden. De-mold, cover with waxed paper and a towel and let the soap sit for 24 hours. Wrap and store it.
