Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones we reach for the most when the seasons change.
A fresh bar of Beeswax and Honey soap in its reusable muslin bag.
Living here in the Southwest, we all know how the air changes. One day it is mild and the next the wind is whipping across the desert, leaving everything feeling a bit parched. I have always found that when the environment gets harsh, I want to keep things very simple in my own home, especially when it comes to what we use on our skin.
I have been making soap for a long time now, and while I love playing with different botanicals and scents, there is something about a basic, honest bar of soap that just feels right. My kids have always been fine with the plain stuff, and it makes my life easier not having to worry about who is using which bar in the bathroom.
Back to Basics in the Soap Room
This particular bar is one of my favorites to make in my soap shop. It is a cold process soap, which means I get to be hands-on with the oils and the lye, watching the batter thicken as it reaches trace. I use a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, but the real heart of this bar is the 100% pastured beef tallow. Tallow is a wonderful ingredient—it makes the bar hard and stable, so it doesn’t just melt away in the soap dish, and it creates a lather that feels gentle on the skin.
I also add beeswax to the mix. I love working with beeswax because it adds a certain firmness to the soap and helps create a silky feeling when you use it. It is just one of those traditional additions that makes a world of difference in how the bar behaves in your hand.
The Addition of Local Honey
To round things out, I add local raw honey from Arizona. Honey is a natural humectant, which is a fancy way of saying it helps the soap feel a bit more moisturizing. It also gives the lather a nice boost, making it feel creamy and rich without needing any synthetic additives.
Because this soap is free of fragrances and scents, it is a great choice for the whole family. We use it for both the face and the body. Whether it is the youngest of my five children or the adults in the house, it is safe for all ages. It is also gluten-free and contains no palm oil, which is important to me as I try to keep my making process as mindful as possible.
A Little Something Extra
I have always liked the idea that things should have a second life. That is why I wrap these bars in a simple muslin bag with a cigar band. It keeps the soap protected, but once you have used up the bar, you don’t have to throw the packaging away.
In my house, we use the leftover muslin bags for all sorts of things. Sometimes I use them to hold dried herbs for a sachet, or for storing small bits and pieces that usually get lost in the junk drawer. It is a small detail, but I think it fits well with the way we try to live more naturally here in the desert.
There is a quiet satisfaction in using something made by hand with ingredients you recognize. It is a slow process—waiting for the soap to cure and settle—but the result is a bar that does exactly what it is supposed to do without any fuss. If you are looking for something plain and gentle for your family, this might be just the thing.
You can find the Beeswax and Honey Cold Process Soap at Four Peaks Soapery for $6.49.
More from Four Peaks Soapery
- 6-Bar Cold Process Soap Sampler Set with Sisal Soap Saver – A great way to try a few different varieties at once.
- Aloe and Oat Cold Process Soap – Another gentle option that feels lovely on the skin.
- Avocado Mint Cold Process Soap – A bit more refreshing for those warm New Mexico mornings.
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