Homemade Jasmine and Green Tea Soap!

Homemade Jasmine and Green Tea Soap!

This soap was inspired by a comforting cup of tea.  The generous size makes this honey and green tea soap great for the bath or shower.  The amber tea leaves mix wonderfully with the earthy green color of the wheat grass powder.  Bergamot, jasmine, and blood orange essential oils give a warm, sensual fragrance to the soap.  Olive oil softens the skin for a soft, smooth feel.

I used one pound of honey melt and pour soap.  I didn't have suspension soap base on hand, so I used Honey base instead and as a result, the tea leaves sunk to the bottom.  I steeped the green tea leaves for several minutes, then pressed out the water in a sieve before adding to the melted soap.  Then I mixed in the wheat grass, olive oil, and essential oils.  I made three large, 4.5 oz., bars, with a little left over for tiny sample bars.  I froze the unused tea leaves that had been soaked for later use, and used the tea water on my face as a detoxifying rinse.  Waste not, want not!


The benefits of these ingredients are as follows:

• Honey - Honey is not only good for the body when consumed, but also very beneficial for the skin. Benefits of honey have been known since the days of Cleopatra in ancient Egypt when it was used as a facial lotion. Honey is obtained from the flower essence and contains 80 percent sugar, the rest are minerals, like iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and amino acids. Honey also contains Vitamins C, B and water, therefore honey is a humectant, often used as a moisturizer in various types of cosmetics. Honey helps to protect the skin from wrinkles and dryness.

• Green Tea Leaves - Green tea has a lot of antioxidants that benefits the body in many ways and can even be used to treat acne. Its one of the most natural ways to help your skin appear brighter and flawless.  Green tea compounds have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with studies suggesting green tea extracts can help prevent ultraviolet radiation damage.

• Wheat Grass Powder - Wheat grass powder is a wonderful skin cleanser as it can exfoliate by removing the dead skin cells on the surface.  It facilitates an internal rejuvenating mechanism, thus enhancing the youthful glow and elasticity of your skin. Wheat grass powder, through its detoxification process, prevents the breakouts of acne and promotes healthy skin.  Applying a paste made with wheat grass powder and milk is effective in treating acne, freckles, and black/white heads.  Due to its antiseptic properties, wheat grass powder is ideal for healing bruises, sores, insect bites, rashes, cuts and scrapes. It is said to help in clearing up poison ivy. In addition, it has a soothing effect on sunburned skin, boils and athletes foot. Wheat grass powder is thought to prevent damage from free radicals.  It possesses natural anti-ageing properties which can aid in rejuvenating cells, thereby slowing down the ageing process. It tackles the problem of sagging skin and maintains skin elasticity, thereby restoring the youthful glow of your skin.

UPDATE:  I'm now making this soap with a suspension melt and pour soap which keeps the tea leaves from settling down to the bottom.  Everyone seems to love this soap, so am making it one of our staples for now.  

Carpe Diem! Lil and Bill