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Natural Soapmaking: Why and How to Start



This post contains affiliate links.

These days, more and more people are turning to natural products for their skincare—and soap is no exception. But what exactly is natural soapmaking, and why should you consider it?

Simply put, natural soapmaking is about creating soap with safe, gentle, and skin-loving ingredients, avoiding the harsh chemicals you often find in store-bought bars. If you’ve ever flipped a soap package and been overwhelmed by ingredients you can’t pronounce, natural soapmaking might be the fresh, wholesome alternative you’re looking for.

Why Choose Natural Soap?

  • Gentler on skin: Natural oils and butters nourish rather than strip your skin.

  • Eco-friendly: No unnecessary chemicals, less plastic packaging.

  • Customizable: You control the scents, colors, and additives.

  • Transparency: You know exactly what’s in your soap.

Commercial soaps often contain detergents and synthetic fragrances. Natural soap, on the other hand, is made with oils, lye, and water—plus whatever natural extras you want to add.

What Makes a Soap “Natural”?

At its core, natural soap is made with:

  • Plant-based oils and butters (olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc.)

  • Lye and water (needed for the saponification process—don’t worry, when done properly, no lye remains in the final bar)

  • Natural colorants (clays, spices, botanicals)

  • Essential oils for fragrance (instead of synthetic perfumes)

Optional extras include herbs, exfoliants (like oats or coffee grounds), or dried flowers.

Natural Soapmaking Methods

You can make natural soap using both cold process and hot process methods.

  • Cold Process: The most popular for natural soapmakers. It gives you creative freedom with swirls, colors, and textures. Requires curing time.

  • Hot Process: Similar, but involves cooking the soap, which speeds up the curing process. The look is more rustic, but the soap is ready sooner.

If you’re a total beginner, you might still want to start with melt & pour using natural soap bases, then move on to cold process when you feel ready.

Getting Started: Basic Ingredients & Tools

Here’s a simple starter checklist for natural soapmaking:

  • Oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea, etc.)

  • Lye (sodium hydroxide)

  • Distilled water

  • Essential oils for scent

  • Natural colorants (charcoal, turmeric, clays)

  • Soap mold

  • Safety gear (gloves, goggles, apron)

Grab all the essentials here: https://amzn.to/4lBxYYs

Tips for Making Great Natural Soap

  1. Plan your recipe—not all oils behave the same way. (Olive oil is moisturizing, coconut adds cleansing power, shea butter is creamy, etc.)

  2. Be safe with lye—always add lye to water, not the other way around. Wear gloves and goggles.

  3. Experiment with botanicals—lavender buds, oatmeal, dried rose petals.

  4. Keep it simple—as a beginner, start with just 2–3 oils and one essential oil.

  5. Take notes—track what works and what you’d change next time.

The Joy of Natural Soapmaking

Natural soapmaking isn’t just about cleaner ingredients—it’s about creativity and mindfulness. There’s something special about blending oils, choosing scents, and crafting bars that feel uniquely yours. And when you use them, you’ll know you’re nourishing your skin with something made by hand, not a factory line.

Final Thoughts

Natural soapmaking combines artistry with practicality. Whether you want gentler skincare, a sustainable hobby, or just the joy of crafting something beautiful, it’s worth trying.

Start simple, stay safe, and experiment with natural ingredients that make you feel good. Soon, you’ll have bars of soap that look gorgeous, smell amazing, and leave your skin feeling refreshed.

Want to try it yourself? Check out this natural soapmaking starter kit here:  https://amzn.to/4lBxYYs

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