Collection: Produits végétaux

Best practices for storing botanicals are much like their natural ‘sibling’, essential oils. In order to improve your ingredients’ shelf lives and retain their quality, our experts highly recommend the following:

Be sure to keep your botanicals in an airtight container, whether this is the one they arrived in or one of your own. After use, be sure to seal them up as soon as possible to prevent exposure to oxygen and moisture. Keep this container in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent deterioration and mould where possible. Prevention is key!

If you have large amounts of botanicals, consider dividing them into smaller batches and storing them in separate containers. This will help to reduce the risk of spoilage if one batch goes bad. In addition to this, if working with a large inventory, be sure to label your batches with dates of storage - helping you use older supplies first.

Choosing the right botanicals for your soap and cosmetics can be an exciting process! But how do you make sure you’ve made the right selection? Our experts weigh in:

Consider the properties of the botanical: What benefits do you want your soap or cosmetics to have? For example, if you want an exfoliating soap, you might choose seeds or botanicals with some natural texture.

Think about the colour and appearance: Do you want your soap to have a certain colour or visual appeal? Some botanicals can add natural colour to your soap, like alkanet root for a pinkish hue.

Experiment with different combinations: Don't be afraid to try out different mixes of botanicals to see what works best for your recipes.

Botanicals are a classic addition to all kinds of soap bars. Their unique properties are used to add everything from fragrance and texture to natural colour. From rose petals to kelp powder, nettle powder, jasmine flowers, and beyond, botanicals can contribute greatly to the texture and visual appeal of your final soap, and, in some cases, add benefits to the skin.

You can also sprinkle dried or fresh botanicals on top of your soap as a finishing touch. This adds a lovely pop of colour, and may result in an exfoliating texture where ingredients such as seeds are used!

Our experts recommend using the following techniques for the best results, but be sure to double-check your recipe!

Keep in mind that some fresh botanicals may discolour or fade over time, so it's a good idea to test a small batch before committing to a larger one.

Preparation steps for soap making depend on the type of botanicals you’re looking to use! Whilst most dried botanicals are already in their best form for use - whether powder, petal, slice, or beyond, some, alongside fresh botanicals, can require a little more preparation depending on your desired end result.

Common steps in botanical prep include washing and drying, peeling or chopping into smaller pieces, blending, steeping (whether in water or oil), and mixing for even distribution (where multiple botanicals are being used).

For more advice on how to use your botanicals, recipes, tips, and tricks, be sure to check out our blog!

Every soap needs a little bit of colour - but what’s the best way to get that perfect hue? Our experts have the perfect advice: 

Soap colourants are one of the most popular ways to achieve vibrant and unusual hues. Available as pigments such as mica powder, these easy-to-use ingredients give great results. Most of the time, all you’ll need to do is mix your chosen shade into your soap base before pouring. Some even work well when combined for unique colours! 

For the all-natural enthusiasts out there, botanicals are the way to go, offering a range of beautiful hues derived from plant material, alongside everything from anti-inflammatory to exfoliating properties. For example, why not use ground turmeric to add a beautiful golden yellow colour to your soap, mix in some ground cinnamon to give it a warm, spicy shade, or blend some nettle or seaweed for a green-flecked look?

Chamomile is one of our most popular botanical options – and for good reason. Having been used for centuries for its skin and body loving properties, it’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to whip up a skincare creation boasting calming, anti-inflammatory properties. 

When formulated correctly, this add-in can be used to help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and combat inflammation. It’s available in a number of forms, including dried chamomile flowers (which make a wonderful infusion, mix-in, or topping), and chamomile powder (the perfect way to add a natural yellow hue).

Botanicals are an all-natural soap maker’s secret weapon when it comes to colouring! From deep dark shades to the brightest florals, there’s something out there for everyone. Some of our favourite options include:

Indigo: Provides a deep blue/purplish tone as its name suggests!

Nettle: The perfect add-in for a natural green hue. 

Seaweed: Bring the beautiful green tones of the sea floor to your creations.

Turmeric: Produces a bright yellow colour!

Chamomile: Produces a pale yellow colour as calming as its scent.

Calendula Flowers: A brilliant choice for a natural yellow hue.

Annatto seeds: Another option for an orangish yellow!

Alkanet root: Alkanet root can be used to create a pink or red colour.

Botanical infusion is one of the most creative ways to add some natural elements of scent and colour to your soap! The recommended process for creating and adding it is much like making a regular cup of loose-leaf tea:

Start by selecting your botanicals, whether for colour, scent, or benefits. Some of our most popular tea infusions include chamomile, lavender, and green tea. After you’ve got your ingredients ready, place them in a strainer or teabag, bring your water to a boil, and pour it over your botanicals into a bowl or cup.

Allow the botanicals to steep for at least 15 minutes - or longer if you want more strength - before allowing your tea to cool. Once at room temperature, you’re free to add it to your soap mixture in place of some of the water called for in the recipe.

Making a botanical infusion is simple. In order to start the process, you'll need some essential equipment. We recommend including a clip top jar to store the infusion, a filter cloth or a cheesecloth, measuring jugs, and digital scales. You’ll also need to have your ingredients at the ready, including a botanical of your choice; for instance, dried calendula, and a carrier oil, such as olive oil.

After weighing out the desired amounts of your botanical and oil (see our blog post on calendula soap for a full sample recipe), combine them in the clip top jar, ensuring the botanicals are submerged entirely. Seal the jar and offer it a gentle shake. Over approximately three weeks, the carrier oil will draw out the botanical's properties, creating an infusion. During this time, a gentle shake of the jar every few days ensures even distribution.

After you’re satisfied that your infusion is complete, separate the solid botanicals from the now-infused oil using your filter cloth or cheesecloth as a strainer. The final infusion is best stored in a cool, dark place.