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| Method for Bath Melts and Massage Bars |
| Like balms and body butters, bath melts and massage bars are thick, rich moisturisers, solid at room temperature, with a high content of vegetable, fruit and nut butters and oils, but no water-based ingredients. By varying the proportions of ingredients, softer or harder mixes can be obtained. Bath melts are normally made using individual moulds. When added to a warm bath, they melt in the water, providing a luxurious alternative to bath oils. Massage bars melt slowly on contact with the skin, allowing you to give (or receive!) a wonderful massage without messing around with all those bottles. As they are so richly moisturising, they can also be ideal products to take on holiday, saving both space and time in your luggage. You will need bowls, measuring spoons, a measuring jug, spatulas, a handheld electric whisk, and saucepans. You can use your normal kitchen utensils, provided they are well washed (preferably in a dishwasher) before being used for food again, though if you are going to make skincare products at home often, it's worth investing in a separate set of pans, bowls etc. As there are no water-based ingredients, shelflife should be up to three or four years, but if your products start to smell rancid, musty or otherwise 'off', it's time to throw them away and start a fresh batch! |
| Sample Recipe: Bath Melts To make individual bath melts, you will need a mould. Soapcrafting moulds designed for novelty or guest soaps are great for this, and available in hundreds of designs. Alternatively, you can simply pour the mixture into a wide glass jar and scoop out the required quantity to use. Ingredients: 200g cocoa butter 100ml jojoba or apricot oil 30ml avocado oil 5ml vitamin E OPTIONAL: 5 drops rosemary essential oil (to aid preservation), 10 drops rose otto essential oil, 10 drops frankincense essential oil, 5 drops neroli or jasmine essential oil, according to preference. Method: 1.) Place everything except the vitamin E and essential oils in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat gently until the ingredients have all melted (do not heat over 60 degrees Centigrade). 2.) Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Add the vitamin E and essential oils and pour into the moulds. Leave to solidfy fully. 3.) When completely cold, press out from the moulds (you can grease them lightly beforehand if required) and store in greaseproof paper in an airtight container. Sample Recipe: Massage Bar To make a massage bar, pour the mixture into a soap bar mould, or use a homemade mould such as a clean margarine tub, lightly greased. Ingredients: 100g cocoa butter 50g shea butter 30ml avocado oil 5ml vitamin E OPTIONAL: 5g grated unrefined yellow beeswax, for a harder bar OPTIONAL: 5 drops rosemary essential oil (to aid preservation), 20 drops rose geranium essential oil, or oil of your preference. Method: 1.) Place the cocoa butter, shea butter, avocado oil and beeswax (if using) in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Heat gently until the ingredients have all melted (do not heat over 60 degrees Centigrade). 2.) Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Add the vitamin E and essential oils and pour into the mould. Leave to solidfy fully. 3.) When completely cold, press out from the mould and store in greaseproof paper in an airtight container. |
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