Finished Tomato Soap
I get asked on a regular basis what kind of soap I tend to make the most. That is the hardest question to answer because I am always trying something new. One of my most recent experiments has been with using tomato paste in soap.
It makes such a beautiful color. I recommend no more the 0.75 oz of tomato paste per pound of fats. Just remember, the color of the soap is not UV stable so if you store your soap in an area that gets lots of light, don’t be surprised if the color fades.
| Ingredients Soybean Oil Coconut Oil Olive Oil Rice Bran Oil Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) Water Tomato Paste |
Equipment Scale Microwave Safe Container Spoons Pipettes Thermometer Immersion Blender |
Recipe:
| Recipe in Grams 340 grams Soybean Oil 284 grams Coconut Oil 227 grams Olive Oil 57 grams Rice Bran Oil 128 grams Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) 340 grams Water 45 grams Tomato Paste |
Recipe in Ounces 12 oz Soybean Oil 10 oz Coconut Oil 8 oz Olive Oil 2 oz Rice Bran Oil 4.53 oz Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) 12 oz Water 1.5 oz Tomato Paste |
Recipe in Percentages 37.5% Soybean Oil 31.25% Coconut Oil 25% Olive Oil 6.25% Rice Bran Oil Q.S. Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) Q.S. Water Q.S. Tomato Paste |
Now to make our tomato soap! Weigh your oils into a microwave safe container. While the oils are heating in the microwave, weigh out your lye and mix with your water. Remember to add your lye to your water, not the other way around. Safety first!
Allow the lye solution and oil mixture to cool. When your oils are around 100°F-110°F, add your lye solution to your oils. Using your immersion blender, mix your soap until you reach a light trace.
Add your tomato paste at this point. If you will be using any fragrance or essential oils, add them at this point too. Once the tomato paste is fully distributed, pour your soap into a mold.
Allow your soap to sit in the mold undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Then cut into bars and place out on a shelf where they can dry. I like to use cardboard boxes under my soap so I don’t damage my shelves. You can use your soap immediately but it will last longer if you allow it to dry completely. Remember that the color from tomatoes is not UV stable. Store in a dark area for bolder color.
Thank you for the recipe! I am excited about trying this!
Tracy,
I am not sure if you have tried this yet, but I can state my skin loves this soap. I am not sure if it is the heat or the excessive sweating but my skin just feels unhappy. A cooler shower and this soap have really made my skin happier. Now, if we could just turn down the furnace and have cooler temperatures my skin would really be happy! Do tell if you have made this soap and your reaction to the shower afterward.
Tina
What scents would you suggest for this soap? What benefit does tomato paste have for the skin?
Terry
Terry,
Tomatoes are reputed to protect from free radicals, encourage cell replenishment and reduce sebum production. I don’t know if it is true but it certainly makes for a fabulous soap!
I didn’t notice any odor contributed by the tomatoes so you can scent with anything you like. I personally might try something fruity like Apricot Freesia, Fruit Slices or perhaps Kalahari Melon. I might even try something clean and refreshing like White Sage.
Taylor
I even have Kalahari Melon scent!! I was just about to make another batch with it too. I label the soap as “Summer Melon Blend”.
Thanks,
Terry
Oh! That sounds so darn yummy!
I used clary sage and cedarwood essential oils and sprinkled dried herbs down the centre. Each piece got a little bit of herbs when cut and looked and smelled lovely. Just tied each bar with thick hemp string.
Fiona,
I think this is a great idea. The soap sounds lovely!
Tina
Fiona, This sounds like a great idea! I think each soap would be very pretty.
Tina