How to Make Homemade Natural Soap: 20 Recipes

Introduction

Making homemade natural soap is a rewarding and creative process that allows you to control the ingredients and customize the scents and textures of your soap. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced soap maker, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating 20 different natural soap recipes. From simple and soothing ingredients to more advanced techniques, you’ll find a variety of recipes to cater to your preferences and skincare needs.

Why Choose Homemade Natural Soap

Commercial soaps often contain harsh chemicals and artificial additives that can be harsh on the skin and harmful to the environment. Homemade natural soap, on the other hand, is free from synthetic ingredients and provides numerous benefits, including:
Gentle and nourishing for the skin
Customizable scents and colors
Eco-friendly and biodegradable
Can soothe skin conditions like eczema and acne
Allows you to experiment with various natural ingredients

Getting Started: Basic Soap Making Supplies

Before diving into the recipes, gather the following basic soap making supplies:
Lye (Sodium Hydroxide): Caustic and essential for saponification.
Oils and Butters: Coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and more for moisturizing and lathering properties.
Liquid: Distilled water, herbal tea, or milk as the liquid base for the soap.
Essential Oils: Natural scents and therapeutic benefits.
Additives: Honey, oats, herbs, clays, or exfoliants for texture and added benefits.
Safety Gear: Gloves, goggles, and long-sleeved clothing for protection when handling lye.

Step-by-Step Soap Making Process

1. Prepare Your Workspace

Choose a well-ventilated area with plenty of space to work. Cover your workspace with newspaper or plastic to catch any spills.

2. Measure Ingredients

Accurately measure the lye and liquid using a digital scale. Measure the oils and butters separately.

3. Mix Lye Solution

Slowly add the lye to the liquid while stirring carefully. Be cautious as the lye solution can heat up. Allow the lye solution to cool to around 100°F (38°C).

4. Melt Oils and Butters

Melt the solid oils and butters in a heat-resistant container over low heat or using a microwave. Be careful not to overheat them.

5. Combine Lye Solution and Oils

Pour the lye solution into the melted oils while stirring continuously. Be sure to wear your safety gear during this step.

6. Blend Until Trace

Using a stick blender, blend the mixture until it reaches “trace,” a thickened consistency resembling pudding. This indicates that the lye and oils have fully combined.

7. Add Essential Oils and Additives

Add your desired essential oils and any additional additives like honey, oats, or herbs. Mix well to ensure even distribution.

8. Pour Into Mold

Pour the soap mixture into your chosen mold. A silicone mold works well for easy removal.

9. Insulate and Cure

Cover the mold with a towel or plastic wrap to insulate it. This helps retain heat and promote saponification. Allow the soap to cure for 4-6 weeks to harden and mellow.

10. Unmold and Cut

After the curing period, gently unmold the soap and cut it into bars using a soap cutter or knife. Allow the bars to cure for a few more days before using.

20 Homemade Natural Soap Recipes

1. Lavender Oatmeal Soap

Ingredients:
– 400g olive oil
– 150g coconut oil
– 50g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 230g distilled water
– 20g lavender essential oil
– 2 tablespoons colloidal oatmeal
– Dried lavender buds for decoration
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add colloidal oatmeal and lavender essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and sprinkle dried lavender buds on top for decoration.
Allow the soap to cure as instructed.

2. Peppermint Eucalyptus Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 200g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 15g peppermint essential oil
– 10g eucalyptus essential oil
– 1 tablespoon green clay
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add green clay, peppermint essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

3. Honey Almond Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g sweet almond oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 150g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 20g almond essential oil
– 3 tablespoons honey
– 1 tablespoon almond meal
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add almond essential oil, honey, and almond meal at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

4. Tea Tree and Charcoal Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 20g tea tree essential oil
– 1 tablespoon activated charcoal
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add activated charcoal and tea tree essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

5. Rosemary and Lemongrass Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g olive oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 100g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 15g rosemary essential oil
– 10g lemongrass essential oil
– Dried rosemary leaves for decoration
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add rosemary essential oil and lemongrass essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and sprinkle dried rosemary leaves on top for decoration.
Allow the soap to cure as instructed.

6. Chamomile Calendula Soap

Ingredients:
– 400g olive oil
– 150g coconut oil
– 50g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 230g distilled water
– 15g chamomile essential oil
– Dried chamomile flowers and calendula petals for decoration
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add chamomile essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and sprinkle dried chamomile flowers and calendula petals on top for decoration.
Allow the soap to cure as instructed.

7. Cinnamon Orange Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 15g cinnamon essential oil
– 10g sweet orange essential oil
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add ground cinnamon, cinnamon essential oil, and sweet orange essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

8. Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g shea butter
– 200g coconut oil
– 150g olive oil
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 20g aloe vera gel
– 1 tablespoon oat flour
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add aloe vera gel and oat flour at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

9. Coconut Milk and Mango Soap

Ingredients:
– 400g coconut milk
– 150g mango butter
– 50g coconut oil
– 100g lye
– 230g distilled water
– 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add turmeric powder at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

10. Green Tea and Spirulina Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g olive oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 100g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 1 tablespoon green tea leaves
– 1 tablespoon spirulina powder
– 1 teaspoon matcha powder
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Steep the green tea leaves in the distilled water and strain.
Add green tea water, spirulina powder, and matcha powder at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

11. Cocoa and Vanilla Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g cocoa butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 20g cocoa powder
– 10g vanilla essential oil
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add cocoa powder and vanilla essential oil at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

12. Lemon Poppyseed Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g olive oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 100g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 15g lemon essential oil
– 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add lemon essential oil and poppyseeds at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

13. Grapefruit and Rose Soap

Ingredients:
– 400g olive oil
– 150g coconut oil
– 50g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 230g distilled water
– 15g grapefruit essential oil
– 10g rose clay
– Dried rose petals for decoration
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add grapefruit essential oil and rose clay at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and sprinkle dried rose petals on top for decoration.
Allow the soap to cure as instructed.

14. Patchouli and Sandalwood Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 15g patchouli essential oil
– 10g sandalwood powder
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add patchouli essential oil and sandalwood powder at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

15. Almond Coffee Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g almond oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 150g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 15g coffee essential oil
– 1 tablespoon coffee grounds
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add coffee essential oil and coffee grounds at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

16. Seaweed and Mint Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 15g peppermint essential oil
– 2 tablespoons seaweed powder
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add peppermint essential oil and seaweed powder at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

17. Honey Lavender Soap

Ingredients:
– 400g olive oil
– 150g coconut oil
– 50g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 230g distilled water
– 20g lavender essential oil
– 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add lavender essential oil and honey at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

18. Cucumber and Aloe Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 20g cucumber puree
– 20g aloe vera gel
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add cucumber puree and aloe vera gel at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

19. Vanilla Rose Soap

Ingredients:
– 350g olive oil
– 200g coconut oil
– 100g shea butter
– 100g lye
– 220g distilled water
– 20g vanilla essential oil
– 10g rose kaolin clay
– Dried rose petals for decoration
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add vanilla essential oil and rose kaolin clay at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and sprinkle dried rose petals on top for decoration.
Allow the soap to cure as instructed.

20. Ginger and Turmeric Soap

Ingredients:
– 300g coconut oil
– 250g olive oil
– 100g shea butter
– 120g lye
– 250g distilled water
– 15g ginger essential oil
– 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
Instructions:

Follow the step-by-step soap-making process mentioned earlier.
Add ginger essential oil and turmeric powder at trace. Mix well.
Pour the soap into the mold and allow it to cure as instructed.

Important Tips for Soap Making

1. Safety First

Always wear appropriate safety gear when working with lye, such as gloves and goggles.

2. Accurate Measurements

Ensure precise measurements of ingredients to achieve the desired soap consistency.

3. Choose High-Quality Ingredients

Select high-quality oils, essential oils, and other additives for the best results.

4. Experiment with Colors and Scents

Feel free to experiment with various natural colorants and scents to create unique soap creations.

5. Test for Sensitivity

Before using any new soap, perform a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any allergies or sensitivities.

6. Curing Time

Allow your soap to cure for the recommended time to ensure it hardens and mellows.

7. Label Your Soaps

Label your soap bars with the recipe and date to keep track of your creations.

Conclusion

Making homemade natural soap is an enjoyable and fulfilling craft that allows you to create personalized skincare products tailored to your preferences. With these 20 recipes and important tips in hand, you’re ready to embark on your soap-making journey. Whether you gift your creations or keep them for yourself, the satisfaction of using natural, nourishing soap is incomparable.