The Accidental Edible: When Handmade Soap Smells Like Dessert

hourglasscreations

Jul 22

2 min read

Most children cringe at the idea of their mom washing their mouth out with soap. Even those of us who aren’t mischief makers have had the unpleasant taste of soap in our mouths from showering, washing our hair, etc. And while the child in me still loves blowing bubbles, eating them is definitely not the intended use!

Nonetheless, over and over again, people will smell a soap and say, “It smells so yummy I could eat it,” or they actually ask, “Is this edible?” Sadly, I have not discovered that magic spell (yet).

When you use culinary aromatics in soap making, it’s natural that they would evoke a memory. Oatmeal and cinnamon smell like cookies. Nutmeg and ginger give off hints of pumpkin pie. These are pleasant, welcoming elements.

But there’s more to using culinary aromatics than the scent. Many have beneficial effects on your skin. Here are just a few

Cinnamon: A warming spice traditionally appreciated for its aromatic and invigorating qualities
Coconut oil: Lather
Coffee: Contains naturally occurring antioxidants and provides gentle exfoliation
Ginger: Traditionally valued for its warming qualities and naturally occurring compounds
Honey / honey powder: Helps skin retain moisture, exfoliant, lather
Nutmeg: Anti-inflammatory, helps clear clogged pores
Oatmeal: Soothes sensitive and dry skin
Olive oil: mild conditioning
Sea salt: antibacterial qualities, exfoliant
Sesame oil / sesame seed powder: vitamin-rich moisturizer, exfoliant
Sugar: Scrubs