🧼 Cold Process Lime Drop Soap Recipe

Fragrance Profile

A zesty blend of fresh lime essential oil with soft notes of lemongrass and a touch of vanilla. The scent is lively and invigorating without being overpowering.

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Ingredients (for a 2 lb / 900 g oil batch)

Base Oils:

• Olive Oil – 12 oz (340 g)
• Coconut Oil (76°F) – 8 oz (227 g)
• Palm Oil (sustainably sourced) – 6 oz (170 g)
• Shea Butter – 2 oz (57 g)
• Castor Oil – 2 oz (57 g)

Lye Solution:

• Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – 4.5 oz (128 g)
• Distilled Water – 10 oz (283 g)

Additives & Colorants:

• Kaolin Clay – 1 tsp (for silkiness)
• Titanium Dioxide – ½ tsp (for white base)
• Green Mica – 1 tsp (for the “drop” swirl)
• Yellow Mica – 1 tsp (for brightness)
• Optional: Poppy seeds or dried lime zest for gentle exfoliation

Essential Oils (or Fragrance Blend):

• Lime Essential Oil – 1 oz (28 g)
• Lemongrass Essential Oil – 0.5 oz (14 g)
• Vanilla Oleoresin – 0.25 oz (7 g)

(Tip: Add 1 tsp kaolin clay to your essential oils to help anchor the scent.)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Lye Solution:
   Carefully add lye to water (never the other way around). Stir until dissolved, then set aside to cool to around 100–110°F (38–43°C).
2. Melt and Combine Oils:
   Melt your hard oils (coconut, palm, shea butter), then add liquid oils (olive, castor). Allow to cool to similar temperature as the lye solution.
3. Blend:
   Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils. Stick blend until a light trace forms.
4. Divide & Color:
5. • Split the batter into three portions.
   • Leave one white (titanium dioxide).
   • Color one with green mica.
   • Color one with yellow mica.
5. Add Fragrance:
   Stir your essential oil blend into each portion evenly.
6. Create the Drop Swirl:
   Pour the white base into your mold first. From a height of about 6–8 inches, pour the green and yellow soap alternately in lines or random drops.
   Tap mold gently to release air bubbles.
7. Finish:
   Use a skewer or hanger tool to lightly swirl if desired. Top with a few lime zest curls or poppy seeds.
8. Cure:
   Let sit in the mold for 24–48 hours. Unmold, cut, and cure for 4–6 weeks.

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Tips for Success

• Lime essential oil can fade over time. Blend it with lemongrass or litsea cubeba for lasting scent.
• A touch of kaolin clay helps fix the fragrance and adds slip to the bar.
• If you want a “lime candy” effect, drizzle a mica oil swirl on top before it hardens.

Optional Add-Ons

• Coconut milk – for creamier lather
• Sugar (1 tsp PPO) – boosts bubbles
• Sodium lactate (1 tsp PPO) – helps bars harden faster

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