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This luxurious chocolate soap recipe is perfect for invigorating morning showers or as a handmade gift. The combination of cocoa and mint not only smells incredible but also offers skin benefits, thanks to the natural properties of cocoa.
Have I mentioned my love of mint chocolate chip ice cream? Because I could eat a whole carton of that stuff anytime, anywhere.
In an effort to avoid doing just that, I made mint chocolate lip balm. And it makes me happy every time I taste it.
So when I started playing around with homemade soap, well, you know where this is going…. I love how decadent and rich the soap looks—and yes, it smells amazing!
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Ingredients
To make your own mint soap recipe, you will need:
- 1 lb shea butter soap base for its moisturizing properties
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for color and mild exfoliation
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint, fresh or dried, for added texture and exfoliation
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil for fragrance and cooling properties
Instructions
Note: You can also find the basic instructions for making melt and pour soap here because the process is generally the same.
Step 1: Melt soap base
Melt the shea butter soap base in 30 second intervals in the microwave until it is liquified. Use a microwave safe container, like a glass Pyrex measuring cup, that makes it easy to mix and pour.
Stir after every 30 second interval to help everything melt evenly.
Step 2: Add cocoa, mint, and essential oil
After the soap is melted, add the cocoa powder, chopped mint, and peppermint essential oil until it smells like mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Stir together really well. We don’t want any big clumps of cocoa powder, so make sure that everything is very well blended before pouring!
Hint: Mix the cocoa powder with a small amount of oil (like coconut or sweet almond oil) to make a paste then add it to the melted soap and stir thoroughly This helps prevent clumping.
Step 3: Pour soap into molds
Pour the soap into your mold(s). Sprinkle a bit more cocoa powder on top.
Honestly, the cocoa powder on top is the best part—it makes this look good enough to eat and contributes to a bit of an exfoliation when using your soap!
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use a toothpick to make some swirly patterns on top—but do whatever you want to do, after all it’s your soap.
Step 4: Let soap harden then remove
Let it sit for an hour or so until it completely hardens. Then take it out of the mold and cut into bars.
If you have trouble getting your soap out of the mold, simply pop it in the freezer for a few minutes and it should come right out.
Substitutions
Soap base: Glycerin or goat milk soap bases are ideal due to their clear or white color, which showcases the cocoa powder well and adds moisturizing properties to the soap.
Cocoa powder: You can’t really substitute real chocolate for the cocoa powder. Chocolate contains sugars and fats that can go rancid or affect the lather and overall texture of the soap. Cocoa powder is a better choice because it provides the chocolate scent and color without affecting the soap’s stability.
Mint: If you use fresh mint, make sure it’s washed and thoroughly dried. You won’t really see it much in the soap so feel free to leave it out altogether.
Soap Molds
To save money, I just reuse a plastic or cardboard container for a soap mold. I like milk containers because they make a nice loaf shape.
Then use a knife or a wire clay cutter, like the kind you would find in an art supply shop, to cut the soap into bars. Wire cutters make it super easy to get cleanly cut, even soap bars.
You could also use small silicone molds, like the ones in the baking section! They’re perfect for making smaller soaps, aka soaps that look even more like actual chocolate.
Storage + Using Mint Chocolate Soap
Mint chocolate soap made with a melt and pour base typically lasts for about a year if stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Wrapping the soap in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container can extend its shelf life by preventing moisture loss.
You can use the soap to wash your hands, body, or face, especially if it’s made with a gentle soap base and without harsh exfoliants.
Variation: Chocolate Soap Recipe
This chocolate soap is perfect for chocolate lovers! The antioxidants in cocoa provide beneficial skin properties, so not only does it smell great but it’s also good for your skin.
Ingredients
- 1 pound melt and pour soap base
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla essential oil oil
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cocoa butter for added moisture and a more intense chocolate fragrance
- Optional: Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs for texture and exfoliation
Instructions
Follow the directions above. If you’ve opted to use cocoa butter, melt it separately and then blend it into the main soap mixture for a richer aroma and extra moisturizing properties.
For more texture, add a few chocolate chips or cocoa nibs to the top of the soap after pouring into your molds and press them into the soap. Break them into smaller pieces first if you like.
Variation: Peppermint Soap Recipe
Creating a peppermint melt and pour soap embedded with pieces of peppermint candy is perfect for festive homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of clear melt and pour soap base (clear base will showcase the candy pieces beautifully)
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil
- 12 peppermint candies, crushed
Instructions
Place peppermint candies in a plastic bag and gently crush them into small pieces using a rolling pin or hammer. Don’t pulverize them into powder; you want visible chunks for texture and visual appeal.
When the soap develops a slight film on top stir in the crushed peppermint candies. The slight cooling helps prevent all the candies from sinking to the bottom or melting too quickly.
If you don’t want to stir in the candy pieces, you can create a layered effect by pouring a little soap, allowing it to set slightly, then sprinkling in some candy pieces. Pour more soap on top and repeat as desired.
Troubleshooting
Cocoa powder powder clumps?
To prevent clumping, mix the cocoa powder with a small amount of oil or liquid glycerin to create a paste before adding it to the melted soap base. This helps distribute the cocoa evenly throughout the soap.
Soap not setting up?
If your soap doesn’t set properly, it may be due to too much additional liquid (like oils or colorants). Limit additional liquids to 1-2 tablespoons per pound of soap base or remelt the soap and add a bit more soap base. If it still doesn’t set, putting it in the refrigerator may help.
FAQ
To enhance the chocolate scent, consider adding chocolate or vanilla fragrance oils specifically designed for soap making. You can also add a small amount of cocoa butter for a richer chocolate aroma and additional moisturizing properties.
Absolutely! Adding natural exfoliants like coffee grounds, sugar, or oatmeal not only provides texture and helps with skin exfoliation but also complements the chocolate theme.
In melt and pour soap recipes, adding a preservative is not necessary because the base is already formulated to be stable and safe for use. Adding too many fresh ingredients or too much liquid can introduce bacteria, so keep additives to a minimum and always sanitize your equipment before using.
Homemade Cocoa Mint Soap
These homemade cocoa mint soaps are the perfect DIY to make around the holiday season. Wrap with a little beeswax wrap and tuck them under the tree or use them as stocking stuffers.
Yield: 6 soaps
Cost: $15
Instructions
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Chop the soap base into cubes and melt it in 30 second intervals in the microwave until it is liquefied. Stir after every 30 second interval to help everything melt evenly.
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Add the cocoa powder, chopped mint and a few drops of peppermint essential oil until it smells like mint chocolate chip ice cream.
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Stir well and pour into your mold.
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Sprinkle a bit more cocoa powder on top.
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Let it sit for an hour or so until it hardens. Then take it out of the mold and cut into bars.
Notes
As for molds, you could also use small silicone molds, like the ones in the baking section! They’re perfect for making smaller soaps, aka soaps that look even more like actual chocolate. You can also use items you already have around the house such as a clean cardboard milk container, a baking dish, ice cube trays, etc.
If you have trouble getting your soap out of the mold, simply pop it in the freezer for a few minutes and it should come right out.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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