The Handmade Spa: Natural Soaps

This book by artisanal soap maker Boué (founder of the French soap company Savon en Bullant) charmingly introduces readers to the art and science of making eco-friendly cold-processed soap, a craft she delved into as a beginner 10 years ago. The book is divided into two parts. In the first, readers learn about the history of soap and the types of soap out there, including the elemental basics behind them. Boué explains the logic behind the cold-processing technique that her book uses: there’s no heat involved, so the properties of the ingredients are preserved to the extent possible. There’s also guidance on equipment, ingredients, safety measures for working with caustic lye, and adapting existing soap recipes or developing unique ones. The second half offers 20 recipes to make a variety of soaps: a basic olive oil bar and one based on honey and beeswax, plus marbled shea butter soap and scent combos like Peppermint Cordial and Summer Garden. For each soap recipe, Boué explains whom the soap is best suited for and for what purpose. (For example, in addition to washing hands and body, some of the soaps can be used to cleanse hair and brush teeth.)