If you're keen to delve into the delightful world of soap making, starting with basic cold process soap recipes is a fantastic way to hone your skills. The beauty of cold process soap lies in its simplicity and the ability to customise ingredients to suit your preferences.

To begin, gather your essential supplies: sodium hydroxide (lye), oils (like olive, coconut, and palm), distilled water, and any desired essential oils or colourants. It’s crucial to follow safety protocols when handling lye, as its caustic nature requires careful attention.

A classic recipe to start with includes 300g of olive oil, 300g of coconut oil, and 400g of palm oil. Combine the oils and gently heat them until melted. Meanwhile, in a separate container, mix 125g of lye with 300g of cold distilled water, ensuring to always add lye to water and not the other way round, to prevent any hazardous reactions. Allow both mixtures to cool to around 38-43°C before blending them together.

Once combined, blend until you reach "trace" – a stage where the mixture thickens enough to leave a trail on the surface. At this point, you can add your chosen essential oils for fragrance and any colourants if desired. Pour the mixture into a soap mould and let it rest for 24 hours to harden.

After demoulding, the soap should cure for about four to six weeks. This curing period allows the lye to neutralise and the soap to firm up, resulting in a beautifully crafted bar ready for use. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create personalised soaps that are not only functional but also a joy to behold! Happy soap making!