The Top 10 Natural Ingredients for Making Soap
If you’ve ever wondered what goes into making soap that’s both skin-friendly and chemical-free, you're not alone. More people are turning to making soap at home as a way to control what touches their skin, reduce waste, and customize their skincare. But with all the buzz, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
This post gives you a curated list of ten essential ingredients for making soap naturally. Whether you’re new to making soap or refining your soap making recipes, through this blog you’ll discover what works and why.
10 Natural Ingredients for Making Soap
The following ingredients are the most common and well-loved soap ingredients that are suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Read through and choose one that stands out to you as per your unique needs.
1. Coconut Oil
When making soap at home, coconut oil is often considered a go-to. It typically produces a bubbly lather, offers cleansing properties, and may help with moisture balance. It’s also believed to have antibacterial qualities, which some find helpful for acne-prone skin. If you're making coconut oil based soap, a 20-30% concentration in your soap will work the best. Coconut oil is an emollient based affordable ingredient for soap making that is readily available in the market.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil in soap is often favored for its gentleness, olive oil is lightweight in nature and that’s how it moisturises the skin without clogging the pores. It's known for being rich in antioxidants and can be useful when making soap that targets dry or sensitive skin. Common in Castile soap, olive oil pairs well with other oils for imparting a balanced texture to the homemade soaps.
3. Shea Butter
For those dealing with flaky or dry skin, shea butter can be the perfect addition to their DIY soap. Shea butter will provide your soap with a creamy feel and is naturally high in skin nourishing properties with vitamins A and E. Many users report that shea butter in soap improves skin softness which makes it one of the best ingredients for making soap. Shea butter can be used in combination with other oils for a balanced soap.
4. Castor Oil
Castor oil is thick and adds a stable lather to your soap. As castor oil is a rich emollient, it’s often added to soaps to impart them with moisturizing and softening properties. If you are willing to add castor oil in your DIY soap base, then we suggest you to go for smaller percentages around 5-10% as more than this can make your soap feel way too greasy and difficult to lather.
5. Palm Oil
Palm oil is commonly used to harden soap and create a smooth, creamy lather. It's rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. If you have sustainability concerns, consider RSPO-certified sources or alternatives like babassu oil. When making soap base with palm oil, it’s usually best to combine it with softer oils to avoid overly hard bars. Palm oil is more affordable in comparison to naturally sourced carrier oils, which makes it a great option for large scale soap making.
6. Essential Oils
Soap making with essential oils serves a dual purpose. Essential oils are aromatic in nature and they carry the potent natural goodness of the plants they are sourced from. If you want your soap to smell pleasant and calming, you should opt for lavender essential oil. For making a refreshing soap that provides a burst of freshness and instant cooling, you should opt for either eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil or a combination of both. There are plethora of essential oils available in the market and you can opt for one or multiples for your soap as per your aromatic requirements.
7. Natural Colorants
Natural colorants provide visual appeal and distinctiveness to your soap without synthetic dyes. Turmeric can provide your soap with a bright yellow colour and the skin-nourishing properties it is famous for. Charcoal is often added to soaps to impart soaps with detoxifying properties. Clays like kaolin or French green are typically soothing for the skin and when added to DIY soaps, they enhance soaps’s cleaning properties. These natural ingredients also allow you to get creative in the procedure of soap making and customize your soap your way.
8. Goat Milk
Goat milk is known for its rich texture and is frequently used in moisturizing soaps. It contains fatty acids and lactic acid, which provide skin nourishment and mild exfoliation. It’s a popular choice when making soap at home, especially for those with sensitive skin. Some individuals may prefer plant-based alternatives to goat milk, so choose what aligns with your values and comfort.
9. Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps retain moisture. Honey in soap has a soothing effect on the skin. In soap making, honey can enhance lather when used in small amounts. Honey is widely appreciated in body care products like body butter and soaps but for a luxurious texture, we suggest you experiment in moderation.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliant that calmly nourishes the skin while providing exfoliation. Many dry, itchy, or sensitive skin individuals prefer skincare and bodycare products that contain oatmeal, especially colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is also included in making soap recipes to provide a soothing and skin-friendly texture to the soaps. Be sure to grind it finely if you prefer a smoother soap bar.
Tips for Beginners: How to Get Started with Natural Soap Making
Getting into natural soap making can be exciting, but it is better to start with a clear plan. Here are some beginner-friendly tips you should keep in mind, when making your own soap with DIY ingredients:
1. Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the cold process method, which is the most common technique for making soap at home. Understand the roles of lye, oils, and additives in soap making.
2. Gather Essential Tools: You don’t need fancy equipment. A digital scale, a stick blender, heat-safe mixing bowls, silicone molds, and safety gear like gloves and goggles are enough to start your soap making journey.
3. Follow a Simple Recipe: Stick to a tried-and-tested recipe with a few oils. Avoid too many variables at first, and track what you use.
4. Start Small: Make small batches so you can test how your skin reacts without wasting materials.
5. Use a Soap Calculator: These tools help you balance oil and lye ratios safely. When it comes to making DIY soaps at home, never guess quantities.
6. Work Safely with Lye: Lye is strongly alkaline in nature and should always be handled with care. Mix it into water not the vice-versa and wear protective gears while using it.
7. Understand Curing: Most handmade soaps need 4-6 weeks to cure. This allows water to evaporate and the soap to harden.
8. Document Everything: Keep notes on ingredients, measurements, and results. It helps you tweak your recipes and track what works for your skin.
9. Test for Skin Compatibility: Always patch test your finished bars on a small area of skin before full use.
10. Be Patient: Mistakes are part of the process. Each batch teaches you something new. Don’t get discouraged if you can't make your soap perfect at the first time. With practice you will become an expert in the art of soap making.
Final Thoughts
Soap making is so much more than an art, it’s a solution for people tired of mass-produced bars that dry out their skin, trigger breakouts, aren’t good for the planet, and fade after just a few uses. If you have decided to embark on the journey of soap making, it is important to opt for the right natural ingredients. That’s why sourcing matters. Our expertise lies in creating and selling high-quality, potent essential oils that are rich in natural plant goodness. If you are looking for natural essential oils that can become an integral part of your DIY kit and everyday routine, you are surely going to fall in love with SVA Organics essential oils.
We don’t believe in providing our customers with cheap oils that are often filled with synthetic fillers and disappointing results. At SVA Organics all of our essential oils are rigorously tested and ethically sourced to deliver outstanding results. So what are you waiting for? Shop your favorite essential oils at the most affordable price from our dedicated collection and start making your own soaps today. Happy Soap Making!