Cold Process Tea Tree & Charcoal Facial Soap Recipe for Sensitive Skin

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This is a facial soap I make once in a while to help with cheek breakout. It’s gentle, soothing, and perfect for sensitive skin that still needs help with blemishes. By combining tea tree essential oil and activated charcoal with nourishing oils like baobab, shea butter, and herbal-infused sunflower oil, you get a facial bar that cleanses deeply without stripping your skin.

Why Tea Tree & Charcoal?

Tea tree essential oil naturally supports blemish-prone areas, while activated charcoal helps draw out impurities without harsh abrasion. A soothing herbal water made up of chamomile, calendula, green tea, and ginseng which adds calming, antioxidant benefits to keep this bar kind to sensitive skin.

Ingredients

Cold Process Tea Tree & Charcoal Facial Soap (for Sensitive Skin)

Oil Name % of Oils Grams
Coconut Oil20%194.0 g
Baobab Oil25%242.5 g
Chamomile & Licorice Root–Infused Sunflower Oil25%242.5 g
Shea Butter20%194.0 g
Palm Oil7%67.9 g
Castor Oil3%29.1 g
Total Oils100%970 g

Other Additives:
• Activated Charcoal: ~2 tsp (for this batch)
• Tea Tree Essential Oil: 20–25 g (about 2–3% of oils)

Lye & Liquid:
• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): ~132.4 g (5% superfat)
• Herbal Water Blend (chamomile, calendula, green tea, ginseng): ~320 g

Always confirm these figures with a trusted soap calculator to match your desired superfat and water discount.

The Soap Mould I Used

I always use the same soap mould just refer to this post for more details.

    Let’s Make Some Tea Tree & Charcoal Soap!

    Before you begin, do well to measure everything out. Cold process soaping moves quickly once lye and oils come together.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Safety First: Put on gloves, goggles, and long sleeves. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar nearby to neutralize any lye drips.
    2. Make the Lye Solution: Brew your herbal infusion (chamomile, calendula, green tea, ginseng) and let it cool. Weigh out ~320 g of the tea and slowly add the lye (~132.4 g) into the liquid—never add water to lye. Stir until dissolved and allow to cool.
    3. Melt & Combine Oils: Melt hard oils (coconut, palm, shea) and then add the liquid oils (baobab, infused sunflower, castor).
    4. Blend to Trace: Pour the cooled lye solution into the oils. Stick blend until you reach light trace.
    5. Add Charcoal & Essential Oils: Disperse the activated charcoal in a small amount of oil, then add it along with tea tree essential oil. Stir thoroughly.
    6. Pour & Tap: Pour the soap batter into your mould, smooth the top, and tap to release air. Optionally spritz with 70% alcohol.
    7. Insulate & Wait: Cover and let it sit undisturbed for 24–48 hours so saponification can finish.
    8. Unmould, Slice & Cure: Unmould when firm, slice into bars, and cure 4–6 weeks in a cool, dry place with good airflow.

    Why This Soap Works

    This cold process recipe is carefully balanced to meet the needs of sensitive, acne-prone skin:

    • Charcoal + tea tree = clarifying without harshness.

    • Baobab + infused sunflower oil = deep nourishment and anti-inflammatory action.

    • Shea butter + castor oil = soft conditioning lather that doesn’t dry out skin.

    • Herbal tea base = soothing antioxidants and skin-calming benefits in every wash.

    The end result is a creamy, detoxifying facial soap that cleans gently, leaving your skin soft, calm, and refreshed.

    Shelf Life & Storage

    Properly cured cold process soap is self-preserving due to its high pH and low water content. If stored in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight), bars can last 1–2 years. Between uses, keep bars on a well-draining soap dish this prevents sogginess and extends their lifespan.

    Final Notes

    • Superfat & EO Use: This batch is set to about 5% superfat. Keep tea tree essential oil around 2–3% of oils (≈20–25 g here) for a gentle yet effective facial bar.

    Enjoy your handmade tea tree & charcoal facial soap! I’d love to hear how your batch turned out feel free to share your color, swirl, or texture variations. Happy soaping!

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. Is charcoal soap safe for sensitive skin?
    Yes. Activated charcoal is gentle when used at low percentages (like in this recipe) and helps unclog pores without stripping natural oils.

    2. Can I use tea tree oil on my face every day?
    In soap, tea tree oil is safe for daily use when added at low amounts (1–3% of oils). It naturally fights bacteria and reduces breakouts without being too harsh.

    3. How often should I use charcoal facial soap?
    For sensitive skin, once a day is usually enough. Overuse can be drying, so many people prefer it as a nightly cleanse.

    4. Can I replace the herbal water with plain distilled water?
    Yes. Herbal water adds extra soothing and antioxidant benefits, but the recipe still works perfectly with plain distilled water.

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