Activated charcoal and turmeric are two ingredients that are widely used in cosmetics due to their beneficial properties. Activated charcoal is known for its ability to absorb toxins and turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Both have been used in many cultures around the globe for cleaning and brightening the skin.
This soap recipe produces a bar of soap that cleanses and provides mild exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
Bentonite clay is also added for its astringent properties and the silky luscious lather it produces.
This is a great soap for oily and acne-prone skin.
- Related Post – Turmeric and Ginger Handmade Soap
- Related Post – DIY Turmeric Face and Body Scrub
Activated Charcoal and Turmeric Soap
Ingredients
- 18 oz Coconut oil
- 6 oz Palm oil
- 4 oz Olive oil
- 2 oz Castor oil
- 2 oz Shea butter
- 4.93 oz Sodium hydroxide
- 12 oz Distilled Water
- 1 oz Fragrance or essential oil
- 0.35 oz Turmeric Powder
- 0.35 oz Bentonite Clay
- 0.2 oz Activated Charcoal
The fragrance I used for this soap is Butterfly Garden from Nurture Soap but feel free to use any fragrance or essential oil you would like or simply leave it unscented. It is best to work with a fragrance that you are familiar with that will not accelerate your soap or cause it to seize.
Directions to Make Activated Charcoal and Turmeric Soap
Before handling lye, always suit up for safety. Put on your safety glasses, long-sleeved clothing and gloves.
Ensure that there are no children or pets in your production area and that you are free of distractions.
Gather all the equipment/tools and ingredients that you would need.
First, weigh the water in a stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic container.
In a dry plastic container, weigh the sodium hydroxide.
In a well-ventilated area, add the sodium hydroxide to the water in that order and not the other way around.
Stir with a stainless steel spoon to dissolve fully. The mixture will become hot and give off fumes. Please ensure that you do not inhale the fumes. Set the lye solution aside and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Prepare your other ingredients.
Weigh the activated charcoal, bentonite clay and turmeric in separate bowls and set them aside.
Weigh the shea butter in a microwaveable or heat-proof container.
Using a microwave oven or a double boiler, melt the shea butter just until melted.
Note: If your coconut oil or palm oil is solid at room temperature where you live, you may have to melt them this way as well. Where I live in the tropics, these oils are liquid at room temperature.
Next, weigh the individual oils and add them to the mixing bowl. 
Add the melted shea butter to the mixing bowl with the oils.
Now you are ready to make your activated charcoal and turmeric soap.
Add the bentonite clay to the mixing bowl and blend it in thoroughly with the immersion blender.
Next, carefully add the cooled lye solution to the mixing bowl. Using the immersion blender, blend the mixture on a low setting (use a combination of pulsing and stirring) until a very light trace is achieved.
Next, add the fragrance oil and gently pulse and mix with the immersion blender to incorporate it fully into the soap batter. Do not overwork your batter at this point. 
Incorporating Turmeric and Activated Charcoal and Swirling
Separate the batter into two parts and add the turmeric to one part and the activated charcoal to the other.
Using a spatula (or two), fold the turmeric and activated charcoal into the soap, use the immersion blender, first in the turmeric to incorporate fully and then in the activated charcoal to avoid mixing the black into the yellow. Only mix until blended to avoid a trace that is too thick.
Next, pour both the activated charcoal and turmeric soap into the mould. I poured side by side and made a gentle swirl with a chopstick. Feel free to do a hangar or any swirl that you would prefer and texture the top to your liking.
In a safe place, set the mould aside and allow the soap to solidify for 24 hours. 
After 24 hours have passed, remove the soap from the mould and cut it into bars. Place the bars on a shelf in a well-ventilated area and allow them to cure for 4 to 6 weeks before using your awesome activated charcoal and turmeric soaps.
Happy soaping! 🙂
wow! I love your recipe and the various oils that you are using. I have only started making soaps and using the melt and pour method but I would like to try this process.
Thank you
You are most welcome, Harlene. I’m glad you like it. Keep at it and enjoy the soapmaking journey. Best wishes!!! 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe. I will begin my soaping journey beginning of the year. I didn’t want to start out with M&P. This is perfect.
Happy soaping, Monique! You’re welcome.
I just made this soap a few days ago. It was fairly easy but there’s a few things I forgot. It came out great but I forgot to check the temp of my lye water and oils. I had cracking and soda ash. I removed the soda ash using an iron steamer. I fixed the crack as well. Thank you for this recipe. I will continue to make it and perfect it.
Happy that you tried the recipe, LaShawn.