Come hang out with me in the studio while I make a small batch of cold process Calamine + Colloidal Oatmeal soap—an unscented, sensitive-skin-friendly bar I keep on hand for when skin is feeling itchy and bothered. I’ll walk you through the process from oils to trace, how I add calamine + colloidal oatmeal (without clumps), and what I watch for to keep the batter smooth and well-behaved.In this video:

  • Why I chose calamine + colloidal oatmeal for this recipe
  • How I disperse powders for an even, creamy bar
  • Pour + cut (and what I look for as it sets up)
  • Cure time + how I store bars while they harden

How I use it: I love turning a little of this bar into a simple paste (soap + a bit of water) to apply to itchy, bothersome skin—a comfort-first, old-school trick that feels so good.Shop & learn more: https://teresalynns.com 

Calamine + Colloidal Oatmeal Cold Process Soap (TLSL)Batch specs

  • Total oils: 80 oz
  • Superfat: 6%
  • Lye: 50/50 premix (1:1 water:lye)
  • Water: additional distilled water added to premix (see below)
  • Scent: none (unscented)

Oils (80 oz total)

  • Coconut Oil (30.4%): 24.32 oz
  • Pomace Olive Oil (25.6%): 20.48 oz
  • Canola Oil (24.5%): 19.60 oz
  • Shea Butter (7.2%): 5.76 oz
  • Mango Butter (4.8%): 3.84 oz
  • Organic Cocoa Butter Wafers (4.4%): 3.52 oz
  • Castor Oil (3%): 2.40 oz
  • Vitamin E Oil (0.1%): 0.08 oz (≈ 2.3 g)

Lye + water

  • 50/50 lye premix (1:1 water:lye): 14.48 oz
  • Contains NaOH: 7.24 oz
  • Contains Water: 7.24 oz
  • Additional distilled water: 7.24 oz
  • Total water in batch: 14.48 oz

Additives

  • Calamine powder: 75 g (≈ 2.65 oz)
  • Colloidal oatmeal: 75 g (≈ 2.65 oz)

Steps

  1. Safety + prep: Gloves, goggles, ventilation. Line mold and set out tools.
  2. Weigh & melt hard oils: Melt coconut oil + butters (shea, mango, cocoa) until just melted.
  3. Add liquid oils: Stir in pomace olive, canola, and castor. Cool to your preferred soaping temp range.
  4. Prep lye solution: Weigh 14.48 oz of your 50/50 premix and 7.24 oz additional distilled water. Combine and cool as needed.
  5. Pre-mix powders: In a separate cup, make a smooth slurry of 75 g calamine + 75 g colloidal oatmeal with a small amount of batch oils (or a portion of thin batter) to prevent clumps.
  6. Emulsify: Add lye solution to oils. Stick blend to emulsion/light trace.
  7. Add vitamin E: Stir in 0.08 oz vitamin E.
  8. Add additives: Stir in the calamine/oatmeal slurry until fully uniform.
  9. Pour: Pour into mold, tap to release bubbles, and finish the top.
  10. Unmold & cut: Typically 18–48 hours (when firm enough).
  11. Cure: Cure with airflow in a cool, dry space for 4–6 weeks.

Note: This video is for educational purposes only and isn’t medical advice. Always patch test and discontinue use if irritation occurs.