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DIY Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist Spray

There’s something so refreshing about a light, fruity body mist, especially when it’s homemade with your favorite scents. In this post, I’ll be showing you how to make a Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist Spray that smells divine, feels light on the skin, and leaves you feeling fresh all day.  This body mist combines the sweet notes of strawberries with the crisp, clean scent of lemon, a perfect match for anyone who loves bright, cheerful fragrances. The best part? You can make it easily at home using simple ingredients and safe formulation techniques! Why Make Your Own Body Mist? Commercial body mists can sometimes contain unnecessary synthetic ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin or cause dryness. Making your own gives you full control over the ingredients, you know exactly what’s going into your product. This Lemon and Strawberry Body Mist combines fruity, cheerful notes of strawberry and zesty lemon with gentle moisturizing and refreshing agents. It’s perfect for hot days, ...
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Papaya Soap Recipe: How to Make Soap with Papaya

As part of my Soap Making with Fruits edition, I decided to make a Papaya Soap, and it turned out beautifully! In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the benefits of making soap with papaya, plus the detailed recipe and procedure for this nourishing papaya soap.



Why Papaya in Soap?

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a sweet, fleshy tropical fruit native to Mexico, loved not only for its flavor but also for its incredible skincare benefits. It’s rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and a special enzyme called papain, which helps to break down and remove dead skin cells, revealing softer, smoother, and brighter skin underneath.

Papain can also help reduce blemishes, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, promoting a more even complexion. It stimulates collagen production, which is vital for maintaining skin elasticity, firmness, and a youthful appearance.

The fruit’s antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene, protect the skin from free radical damage and help prevent dryness and premature aging. Altogether, papaya makes an excellent addition to natural skincare products, especially soap.

How I Made My Papaya Soap

For this recipe, I made a 400 g batch size using a blend of soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. I also used fresh papaya puree in addition to distilled water.

Some formulations use papaya juice alone to replace distilled water entirely, while others use papaya in powdered form. Either method will give your soap bars a beautiful deep orange-to-yellow hue and the skin-loving benefits of papaya.

Base Oils and Their Benefits

Shea butter was the only butter used in this recipe. It’s affordable, nourishing, and deeply moisturizing. It soothes dryness and irritation, helps with conditions like eczema and sunburn, and supports skin healing thanks to its fatty acids and vitamins A and E.

Soybean oil is a cost-effective plant oil rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that fights free radicals and inflammation. However, because soybean oil can make soap go rancid faster than other oils, it’s best to use the soap within a reasonable time.

Coconut oil was the main cleansing oil in this recipe. It helps to hydrate, protect, and strengthen the skin barrier while creating a bubbly, cleansing lather.

Olive oil adds mildness and skin-conditioning properties. Its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds make it ideal for nourishing, gentle soaps.

To help harden the bars and improve their longevity, I added sodium lactate. I also used red mica powder and turmeric powder to enhance the natural orange hue, though this step is optional. I didn’t add any fragrance for this batch, making it scent-free.

The result? A moisturizing, creamy, and bubbly papaya soap bar that’s gentle and rejuvenating for the skin.

Materials You’ll Need

  • Protective gear (gloves, goggles, nose mask)

  • 1 large heat-safe container

  • 2 medium heat-safe containers

  • 1 small heat-safe container

  • Measuring scale

  • Immersion blender

  • Spatula

  • Soap mold

  • Soap cutter

  • Kitchen knife

400g Papaya Soap Recipe 

  • Lye (caustic soda) - 54 g
 
  • Distilled water - 110 g

  • Sodium lactate - 4 g

  • Shea butter - 160 g

  • Soybean oil - 120 g

  • Coconut oil - 80 g

  • Olive oil - 40 g

  • Papaya puree - 10 g

  • Red mica powder - 2g

  • Turmeric powder - 2g

Procedure

  • Sanitize your area, ensure good ventilation, and wear your protective gear. Keep children and pets away.

  • Using two medium heat-safe containers, weigh your lye and distilled water separately. Slowly add the lye to the water (never the other way around) and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

  • In your large container, measure out all oils and butter.

  • Pour the hot lye solution into the oils. Mix with a spatula or spoon, until fully liquified.

  • Mix 4 g sodium lactate into the papaya puree, then add this blend into your soap batter.

  • Use an immersion blender to mix until the batter reaches a smooth, thick consistency (known as “trace”).

  • Divide the batter into two parts (optional). Add red mica to one portion and turmeric to the other. Blend each well, then alternate pouring both batters into the mold for a swirled effect.

  • Cover and leave the mold in a cool, dark place to harden for 24–48 hours. To speed up, you can refrigerate overnight.

  • Once firm, remove the soap from the mold and cut into bars using a soap cutter or knife 

  • Place the bars in a well-ventilated, dry area for at least 4 weeks to cure. This step ensures a harder, milder, and longer-lasting soap.

  • Once cured, your papaya soap is ready to use. Enjoy its creamy lather and gentle exfoliating properties.

Click to watch the video : Papaya Soap Making

FAQs

Q: Can I use papaya juice only instead of water?

A: Yes, but make sure the total liquid amount matches the combined weight of the papaya puree and distilled water in the recipe.

Q: Can I substitute the oils or butter?

A: It’s best not to substitute the oils directly, as it will affect the soap’s balance. If you do, use a soap calculator to determine the correct lye and water ratios for your new oil blend.

Q: Is sodium lactate necessary?

A: It’s optional but highly recommended. Sodium lactate helps the soap harden faster and improves texture. If you skip it, add its weight to your distilled water amount.

Q: Can I use papaya powder instead of fresh puree?

A: Yes, papaya powder works great and can even intensify the color and skin benefits.

Final Thoughts

Papaya soaps are a gentle, nature-inspired way to exfoliate and refresh your skin without stripping its natural moisture barrier. This recipe is simple, effective, and perfect for both beginners and seasoned soap makers.

If you try this papaya soap recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you, share your experience in the comments below! 

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