Are you ready to take your soap making game to the next level? Activated charcoal is a natural ingredient that can add some serious benefits to your homemade soap. Not only is it great for detoxifying and purifying the skin, but it also gives soap a unique and beautiful black color.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your own activated charcoal soap at home, including safety precautions, ingredients and equipment, and step-by-step instructions.

Safety Precautions when making ACtivated Charcoal SOap

First things first, let’s talk about safety. Making soap at home can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to take precautions when working with lye. Lye is a caustic substance that can cause serious burns, so it’s important to use gloves, goggles, and long sleeves when handling it. Additionally, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes. Check out our blog post on everything soap making for more information on Safety precautions. 

One other thing to be aware of is just how tiny and airborne activated charcoal can be. Exercise caution when working with this ingredient because a spill will have you cleaning up for days. 

When it comes to ingredients, make sure to use high-quality, food-grade oils and lye. And, always make sure to store your ingredients, especially lye, in a safe place, away from children and pets.

Ingredients and Equipment

To make activated charcoal soap, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Lye (sodium hydroxide)
• Water
• Oils (such as coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil)
• Activated charcoal powder

In terms of equipment, you’ll need:

• A digital scale
• A thermometer
• A stick blender
• A mixing bowl
• Soap molds

You can find all of these ingredients and equipment at a craft store or online. I always recommend buying from a reputable source, as lower-quality ingredients can affect the final product. The links above are my affiliate links, so if you use them I will get a percentage of the sale which helps to offset the cost of running this blog. 

Making the Activated Charcoal Soap

Now for the fun part! Making activated charcoal soap is not much different from making regular soap. The main difference is that you’ll be adding activated charcoal powder at the end of the process.

1. Prepare the lye solution: In a well-ventilated area, carefully measure out the lye and water according to your recipe. Stir until the lye is fully dissolved. Set aside to cool.

2. Heat and mix the oils: In a separate mixing bowl, measure out the oils and heat them until they reach the same temperature as the lye solution.

3. Combine the lye solution and oils: Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils, stirring constantly with a stick blender. Keep mixing until the mixture reaches “trace,” which is the point at which the soap mixture starts to thicken and leave a trail on the surface when you drizzle it over itself.

4. Add the activated charcoal: Once the mixture has reached trace, add the activated charcoal powder and mix well.

5. Pour into molds: Carefully pour the mixture into your soap molds. You can also add some herbs, flowers, or other fragrant items on the surface of the soap for decoration.

6. Cure the soap: Leave the soap in the molds for 24 to 48 hours, or until it’s hard enough to remove. Once it’s out of the molds, let it cure for 4-6 weeks to ensure that all the lye has been used up and the soap is safe to use.

Using and Storing the Soap

Activated charcoal soap is great for all skin types, but it’s especially good for oily or acne-prone skin. Use it just like you would any other soap, lathering it up and washing your skin as needed.

When it comes to storing your activated charcoal soap, be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place. If you want to extend the life of your soap, you can also store it in a soap dish that allows for proper drainage.

Live Video Demonstration Making Activated Charcoal Soap

In this live stream we had a special guest from Paige Pals. She’s been broadcasting live with mom since she was one and on this episode she helps to pour the ingredients.

This recipe is packed with Natural Ingredients and perfect for problematic skin. I also talk about my recent trip to Costa Rica and some of the activities we did. This recipe includes: Shea Butter, Hemp Seed Oil, Tea Tree Essential oil and Activated Charcoal.