I’ve read about using eggs in soapmaking very early in my days as a soapmaker. But the courage to try it came after I read the Egg Yolk & Vanilla Bean Soap recipe from the book ‘Simple & Natural Soapmaking’ by Jan Berry aka The Nerdy Farm Wife. So I tried it out recently and wanted to document my experiences for other soapmakers as well.
Eggs have long been used in skincare for their various benefits. But in soapmaking, egg yolks contribute to additional fat and lecithin which contribute to a thick, rich and creamy lather. And before you ask me that burning question, “No, the soaps don’t stink!”
Guidelines for using egg in soap
Eggs are a good source of protein with traces of sulphur and iron. With heat, these nutrients can react unfavorably and cause curdling, discolour or cause weird odours. So it is important to handle them correctly in soapmaking.
Make sure the the eggs and other ingredients are at room temperature (below 40 degree Celcius)
Temper the egg with warm soapmaking oils, before adding them back in. And definitely before adding lye solution or applying heat.
Let the soap warm up gradually during saponification. It obviously helps to soap cool when using eggs. Promoting gel phase doesn’t cause any unfavorable reactions if the above steps have been fulfilled.
You might experience a slight “eggy, ammonia like smell” once you add the lye solution. This is normal. You can continue the process as usual.
Egg Yolk & Vanilla Bean Soap Recipe(reprinted with permission)
YIELD – 7-8 BARS OF SOAP (2.5 LBS/1.13 KG)
Oils (28oz/793g)
7 oz (198 g) coconut oil (25%)4 oz (113 g) unrefined cocoa butter (14.3%)14 oz (397 g) olive oil (50%)3 oz (85 g) sweet almond or sunflower oil (10.7%)
Lye + Liquid
8.5 oz (241 g) distilled water3.9 oz (111 g) sodium hydroxide (lye)
Additives
1 vanilla bean1 room temperature egg yolk, beaten
INSTRUCTIONS
Wearing protective gloves and eyewear, carefully stir the lye into the distilled water.
Set the lye solution aside in a safe place to cool for about 30 to 40 minutes or until the temperature drops to around 100 to 110˚F (38 to 43˚C).
Melt the coconut oil and cocoa butter, then add to the other oils. Split the vanilla bean, scrape the inside into the warm oils and mix so the vanilla specks are evenly distributed.
Temper the egg yolk by removing about a cup (240 ml) of the warm oil and vanilla bean mixture and stir together with the beaten egg yolk. Return the yolk/oil mixture to the remaining oils and blend until thoroughly incorporated.
Add the cooled lye solution. Using a combination of hand stirring and an immersion blender, stir the soap until it reaches a very light trace.
At trace, pour into a prepared mold. This soap does best when kept on the cooler side, so you may want to consider individual molds to prevent partial gel phase and/or tucking the soap in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours after pouring.
Cut into bars or unmold individual bars. Cure on coated cooling racks or sheets of wax paper about 4 weeks before using.
Notes
I used sweet almond oil in the recipe.
The recipe states a water lye ratio of 2.17:1. Whereas I used a 2:1 ration as I am comfortable with it.
This recipe was left unscented to see if the smell of egg carries through. And it hasn’t! In fact the wonderful smell of unrefined cocoa butter remained on unmolding. I know! What a relief right?!
I had no issues with curdling, discoloration or “ammonia like smell” after adding the lye.
I used individual cavity molds to further cut down on the heat during saponification.
If you are still on the fence about leaving this unscented, you could add upto 40g of Lavender Essential Oil/ Sweet Orange Essential Oil. Or feel free to use your favourite essential oil blend.
Its a beautiful looking soap with vanilla bean specks but not exfoliating at all.
I would definitely make this soap again for my family and friends and I encourage you to try out this new technique of adding egg yolk to cold process soap if you haven’t already.
Don’t forget to check out The Nerdy Farm Wife as well. Jan shares natural soapmaking ideas, DIY skincare recipes and simple home remedies on her website. Jan is a wonderful source of inspiration for natural skincare lovers as well.
What do you think about adding egg yolks to cold process soaps? Would you leave it unscented? Let me know if you have any additional questions in the comments below! Always happy to help!