How to - Soapnut Decoction


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Comments

Wendy said…
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your post on this topic. I imagine this can be mad using soap nut (Aritha) powder. If so, how many grams of powder would you use? Thanks,
LisaLise said…
Hi Wendy - great question! I have never worked with soap nut in powder form, so I'm guessing it is 'merely' dried and powdered soap nuts and they do not dissolve completely in water. If this is the case, then I would suggest using 25 grams of the powder. It is in any case a question of how concentrated you want the final mixture to be.
Parita said…
I have been using sopanut concotion since yrs now and swear by it but I usually just boil few soapnuts in water and squeeze out the juice everytime I wash my hair..i know a bit tedious but works for me :)
Where do you buy soapnuts from? When I was in India they were easily available not sure where to find them here in the US?
LisaLise said…
Hi Parita - in the US, check with Mountain Rose Herbs - I believe they carry both soap nuts and soapwort
Unknown said…
Hi Lise

Thank you for this post. I have now made this decoction. I made a vanishing cream on this basis which works like a beautiful cleanser which can be washed off with water rather than a cloth. I am obsessed with the result, considering how new I am to the whole DIY skincare.

Thank you for your insights!!

My inspiration was Niod Sanskrit Saponins cleanser.

Here is my formula as a thank you (you probably have thousands of your own, but I am superhappy with this one).

Saponins cleansing cream

Stearic acid 22,50% 45
Triethanolamine 1,50% 3
Potassium hydroxide 1% 2
Glycerin 5% 10
Soapnut water 68% 136,4
citric acid 1% 1,6
Phenoxyethanol 0,5% 1
Potassium sorbate 0,5% 1
100,00% 200

Mix phenoxyethanol with glycerin
mix potassium sorbate with a a little soapnut water just to dissolve it, set aside

add stearic acid to soapnut water. Hit up in a water bath until melted.

once melted, add triethanolamine and mix.

add potassium sorbate, mix.

CHeck PH. Add Citric acid. check PH again (should be in a range of 6 or so).

Add the rest.

Essential oils (sorry, I still measure in drops)

grapefruit 27 sweet orange 6 patchuli 2 cedarwood 24
LisaLise said…
Hello Natasha and thank you kindly for sharing this lovely formula. I am always thrilled when people take the time to let me know if I have inspired them. I will be running around with a big smile on my face all day thanks to you. :D