Turmeric, part of the ginger family, contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to be beneficial in skincare.

It has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine to treat various ailments and it is well-known throughout India to treat hyperpigmentation, reduce redness and promote even skin tone.

Both turmeric and ginger have anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pamper yourself with this turmeric and ginger handmade soap that also contains skin-nourishing cocoa and shea butter to moisturize and soften skin.

If you’re looking for more DIY recipes containing Turmeric, check out some of my other posts:

Interested in learning more about natural soap making? Check out Natural Soapmaking by The Nerdy Farmwife.

Soapmaking

Ingredients

If you are new to making soap, see my post on Basic Soapmaking for Beginners as well as the tools that are needed.

Directions to Make Turmeric and Ginger Soap

As usual, suit up for safety before you begin working with sodium hydroxide (lye). Ensure that there are no pets or children in the area where you will be preparing your soap.

Put on your long sleeves, gloves and safety goggles.

The first step is to make your lye solution and set it aside to allow it to cool. I allowed it to cool completely to room temperature.

In a heatproof container, weigh out your water.

Weighing Water

Next, weigh your sodium hydroxide.

Weighing Sodium Hydroxide

In a well-ventilated area, pour the sodium hydroxide into the water and stir it with a stainless steel spoon until it is fully dissolved. The solution will give off heat and fumes, ensure that you do not inhale the fumes.

Set the solution aside in a safe area while it cools.

Prepare your other ingredients.

Thoroughly wash your ginger. I used the peel in the soap, but you can peel yours if you prefer. Using the fine side of a grater or a food processor, grate or grind the ginger.

Ginger for Turmeric and Ginger Soap
Finely grated ginger

I used 1 ounce of grated ginger in my soap.

 

Weighing Ginger

Measure two tablespoons of turmeric powder and set it aside as well.

In addition to the grated ginger and turmeric powder, I used the contents of two teabags of natural 100% turmeric and ginger tea, pictured below. This is totally optional. I like to use it for a little more texture and exfoliation.

Turmeric with Ginger Herbal Tea

Next, weigh out your butters in a heat-proof or microwaveable bowl.

Weighing Cocoa and Shea Butter for Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Melt the shea and cocoa butter in a double boiler or microwave. Only heat it up to melt them but do not overheat. To create a double boiler, I usually place my Pyrex bowl containing the butters in a pot with hot water on the stove and heat it until it melts.

Melting Shea and Cocoa Butter

Next, weigh your individual oils and pour them into your mixing bowl.

Measuring Oils for Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Add your butters to the bowl of oils.

At this point, I like to clear away items that are no longer needed and place only what I need in front of me so that I will not forget to add an ingredient like fragrance oil, for example.

The fragrance oil I used for this soap is Orange Patchouli from Nurture Soap. This fragrance has wonderful vibrant orange top notes and a lingering base note of earthy patchouli. I absolutely love this blend.

Orange Patchouli Fragrance Oil
Orange Patchouli Fragrance Oil

Now we are ready to put it all together to make our Turmeric and Ginger soap.

Ready to Make Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Carefully pour the lye solution into the mixture of oils and butters.

Pouring Lye into Oils and Butters

Insert the immersion blender and stir it around a bit before blending. Using a mixture of blending and stirring with the blender, bring the emulsion to trace.

Bringing Turmeric and Ginger soap to Trace

Once the soap has reached trace add your additives and fragrance or essential oil.

Additives in Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Use the blender to ensure all the ingredients are well-mixed. Note the turmeric turns a brick-red colour in the soap, this is normal.

Blending Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Once everything is incorporated, pour your soap into your mould.

Pouring Soap into the Mold
Turmeric and Ginger Soap

Cover your mould with a sheet of cardboard and set it aside in a safe area where it will be undisturbed. After 18 to 24 hours check to see if your soap is solid enough to take out of the mould.

Turmeric and Ginger Soap before Cutting

Remove the soap from the mould and cut it into bars according to your preference.

Cut bars of Turmeric and Ginger soap

Put the soap bars in an area where they will not be disturbed, to cure for 4 to 6 weeks. Allow all sides to be exposed to air during the curing period by turning them occasionally.

After the cure, you can enjoy your awesome turmeric and ginger handmade soaps.