Did you know that the properties of olive oil happen to make it a very effective natural cosmetic that is really good for the skin and the hair? For instance, it is a great source of vitamin E, as well as being a valuable ally against facial ageing (it helps hydrate and maintain the elasticity of the skin). What's more, it aids skin recovery when applied to wounds like burns and is especially recommended for dry or sensitive skin.

So, if you want to learn how to make home-made olive oil soap, just follow this simple recipe and you can enjoy a completely natural, inexpensive and home-made cosmetic product.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of Betis olive oil
• 125g of caustic soda
•  300ml of water

Note: If only olive oil is used, the soap will hydrate but will not form a lather.

Process:

The preparation time is approximately 1 hour and a half, and during this process it is necessary to wear gloves, as every drop that splashes can be very abrasive.

It is also important to mix the ingredients in a well-ventilated place, since the reactions involved let off harmful vapours. In addition, you should always use a stainless steel pan, never one made of aluminium, iron or other metals. As for utensils to stir the mixture, it is best to opt for a wooden or resistant plastic one.

Step one: mix the caustic soda and the water

Place the lukewarm water in a durable wash tub and slowly add the soda while stirring with an appropriate utensil. You will note that the temperature of the water increases, and can reach up to 90°C, which is why you should take great care during this step.

It's essential to stir the mixture well to ensure that the soda is completely dissolved in the water. After this is done, leave it to stand while it cools to room temperature, for around 30 minutes.

Step two: add the olive oil

For this stage, the olive oil and the soda and water must be at similar temperatures. Once the soda and water mixture is at room temperature, start to add the olive oil bit by bit while stirring in a circular manner. The mixture will gradually become thicker (until it acquires the consistency of mayonnaise). If you want to add anything to make the soap more fragrant, such as flowers, essential oils or aloe vera pulp, now would be the best time to do it. This step takes around 30 minutes.

Step three: filling the moulds

Carefully pour the mixture into moulds. If they are made of silicone, this will make the turning out process easier. When full, cover and wrap the moulds well in cling film and leave them in a dry place, out of the reach of children. After 48 hours, the soap will have set and can be removed from the moulds and cut.

Step four: curing the soap

The last step is to leave the soap to cure so that it will completely saponify and the caustic soda will be totally safe to use. To do this, place the cut soap on a rack over some paper in a cool place away form strong light. Every two days, turn the soap over so that it dries out evenly. Leave the soap to cure for 4 weeks and it will be ready to use.