By now I'm sure you've heard of, or maybe even used, some of those wonderful shower jellies sold by Lush. If you haven't, you're missing out! Shower jellies are a type of gelatinous soap that is sort of like solidified shower gel.

I made these several years ago, and sort of forgot about them until one of my followers asked if I could make them. I was so glad she brought it up, as they are a lot of fun to both make and use.

This recipe is NOT vegan, but I will tell you what ingredients to use in order to make it vegan. Let's get soapy!

***Scroll all the way down to see my YouTube tutorial video!***

What you need:
2 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin (if you want a vegan version, use 5 teaspoons of powdered agar agar) You can buy agar agar HERE.
3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup shower gel, liquid hand soap, or castile soap
3-5 drops of essential oil or 1/4 teaspoon soap fragrance (you can find this at a hobby or craft store)
2-3 drops of liquid soap coloring (you can find this at a hobby or craft store)
1 tsp salt (acts as a preservative)
silicone mold or empty glass jar
skin-safe glitter (optional. You can find this at a hobby or craft store)

How to make it:
1. Dissolve the gelatin or agar agar in the boiling water.

2. Add in the salt, and stir until dissolved.

3. Add the shower gel or liquid soap, and gently stir to combine. You want to try to avoid causing air bubbles.

4. Stir in the essential oils or soap fragrance.

5. Add the glitter (if you're using it), and gently stir.

6. Carefully pour the mixture into the mold or jar, and place in the refrigerator for roughly 5 hours, or until it has congealed. (If there are air bubbles on your jellies, spray them with a little rubbing alcohol. This will cause them disappear!)

7. If using a mold, pop your jellies out and use them! If you used a jar, scoop a bit out and lather up!

**The salt in this recipe acts as a preservative, but you should use your jellies within 2 weeks for best results.

If you want to learn a little more about making fun bath products, check out my tutorial on Getting Started with Melt and Pour Soap.

Raw honey has powerful antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it invaluable when it comes to healing cuts, scrapes, and abrasions. It also contains gluconic acid, which has been proven to even out blotchy skin tones, lighten age spots, reduce the appearance of scars, and brighten the complexion.

Using a honey facial twice per week can do wonders for your complexion. Below are 5 recipes for various skin types.

Normal Skin
1 apple, peeled and cored
2 tablespoons raw honey

Process the apple in a food processor or blender. Stir in the honey and let sit in the refrigerator for roughly 10 minutes. Stir again, and gently pat the mixture onto your face. Keep tapping until the mixture feels tacky, and won't run off of your face. Leave this mask on for 30 minutes, then gently wash it off with warm water.

Apples contain gentle acids that help remove dead skin without irritation or excessive dryness, making it a great mask choice for normal skin.

Dry Skin
2 tablespoons mashed avocado
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 egg yolk

Simply stir and mash all of the ingredients together in a bowl, or process them together in a blender or food processor until creamy. Apply the mask to your skin and leave it on for 30 minutes. gently rinse it away with warm water.

Eggs and avocado are loaded with fats, which will hydrate dry skin without leaving an oily sheen.

Tired, Dull Skin
6 ounces full-fat plain yogurt (Greek is best)
1 tablespoon finely crushed almonds
2 teaspoons raw honey
2 teaspoons wheat germ

Mix all ingredients together in a blender or bowl until smooth. Apply to the skin, and massage for a few minutes. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse away with warm water.

Almonds are a gentle exfoliant, which will buff away dry skin. Yogurt contains a very gentle form of lactic acid, which will brighten your complexion. Wheat germ is full of beneficial oils to help plump up fine lines.

Oily Skin
3 carrots
5 tablespoons raw honey

Boil the carrots until they are soft. Smash them well with a fork, or puree in a blender. Stir in the honey and store in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Stir again, and apply to the skin. Let this sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Carrots are high in vitamins A and C, which are both antioxidants. When combined with honey, they can help prevent acne and other blemishes associated with oily skin.

Sensitive Skin
1/2 banana
1/4 cup of cooked oatmeal
1 egg
1/2 tablespoon raw honey

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, or puree with a blender. Massage into the skin for a minute or so, then let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse away with warm water.

Oats help to heal the skin due to their high mineral and vitamin content. Bananas contain high levels of vitamin A, and eggs are a natural source of an emollient known as lecithin.