Grannie Frannie's Cookbook

Transfer the shea butter to a medium glass bowl. Fill a larger glass or metal bowl with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cof boiling water. Place the smaller bowl with the shea butter into the boiling water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Stir the shea butter to break up clumps, and keep stirring until it’s completely liquid

Whisk the mixture briefly to incorporate all the ingredients. The oil and glycerine in the recipe will make the gel more moisturizing, and the glycerine will also help to dissolve the xanthan gum.

You can use any carrier oil you like for this recipe, including jojoba, olive, and grapeseed. The

Vegetable glycerine is available at most drug stores, health food stores, and beauty supply shops.

Shake the powder over the liquid and let it sit for about a minute. As the mixture rests, the xanthan gum will absorb the liquid and start to thicken up.[6]

Xanthan gum is a plant-based additive that’s often used to stabilize and thicken foods. It’s available in the baking aisle in most grocery stores.

You can also substitute guar gum for the xanthan gum. Use half the amount of guar gum, as it can make the mixture too thick.

Insert an immersion blender into the bowl and whiz the mixture for a minute. This will dissolve the xanthan gum in the glycerine, incorporate all the ingredients, and begin the thickening process.

If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse it for a minute.

Remove the immersion blender from the bowl and set it aside on a plate to catch drips. Pour in the castile soap, warm water from the tap, and the essential oils, if desired.[7]

Common essential oils to add to shower gels include ylang ylang, woody scents like cedar or spruce, and citrus oils.

For an even more hydrating soap, add 1 teaspoon (5 mof vitamin E oil to the mixture as well.[8]

Insert the immersion blender back into the bowl. Whiz the mixture for one to two minutes, until the ingredients are fully incorporated. When the gel is ready, it will have a creamy consistency similar to that of body lotion.

Transfer the creamy gel to a squeeze bottle and enjoy.

Insert a funnel into the mouth of a clean soap or shampoo bottle. Pour the shower gel into the bottle, remove the funnel, and screw on the lid. Move the bottle to the shower and use the gel in place of soap to wash your body and hands.