Dive into the wonderful world of homemade cold process soap! These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to create luxurious, skin-loving bars right in their own kitchen.
Crafting your own soap means you have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a gentle and nourishing clean.
Get ready to discover some delightful recipes that use natural elements to create beautiful and effective soaps..
1. Banana & Heavy Cream Cold Process Soap
This soap offers a super creamy lather thanks to mashed bananas and rich heavy cream.
The bananas add a unique speckled effect, making each bar visually appealing.
It’s designed to be moisturizing and leave your skin feeling wonderfully soft.
A must-try for those who love creamy textures in their soap!.
Key Ingredients:
- Banana
- Heavy Cream
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Olive Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
Benefits:
- Creamy Lather
- Moisturizing
- Soft Skin
Pro Tip: To achieve a speckled look, use a fairly ripe banana. Freezing the soap after pouring can help avoid gelling for a brighter appearance.
Get the Recipe: Banana & Heavy Cream Cold Process Soap
2. Lemonade Stand Soap with Walnut Shells
Get a gentle scrub with this invigorating Lemonade Stand soap, featuring ground walnut shells for exfoliation.
It's a double butter formulation with shea and cocoa butter, plus avocado oil, making it incredibly moisturizing.
This bar leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed, like a perfect summer day..
Key Ingredients:
- Shea Butter
- Cocoa Butter
- Avocado Oil
- Ground Walnut Shells
- Kaolin Clay
- Colloidal Oatmeal
Benefits:
- Exfoliating
- Moisturizing
- Smooth Skin
Pro Tip: Kaolin clay and colloidal oatmeal are great additions for a luxurious and silky feel to your soap.
Get the Recipe: Lemonade Stand Soap with Walnut Shells
3. Honey & Beeswax Soap
This Honey & Beeswax soap recipe creates a beautiful, long-lasting bar that’s kind to your skin.
Beeswax helps harden the soap, making your bars last longer, while honey adds a boost to the lather and moisturizes deeply.
It’s a simple yet effective combination for soft, nourished skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Honey
- Beeswax
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Hardens Soap
- Long-lasting Bars
- Moisturizing
- Boosts Lather
Pro Tip: Even small amounts of beeswax can significantly improve the hardness and longevity of your soap bars.
Get the Recipe: Honey & Beeswax Soap
4. Lavender Cold Process Soap
Enjoy the calming scent of lavender with this gentle cold process soap recipe.
Made with rice bran oil for sensitive skin and coconut oil for a bubbly lather, this soap is wonderfully creamy and suitable for almost everyone.
It’s a simple, effective way to create a soothing and beautifully scented bar..
Key Ingredients:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Gentle
- Calming Scent
- Creamy Lather
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin
Pro Tip: Rice bran oil is particularly gentle and makes this soap a great option for sensitive skin.
Get the Recipe: Lavender Cold Process Soap
5. Chamomile Cold Process Soap
This cold-process chamomile soap is perfect for soothing sensitive skin, leaving it feeling soft and comfortable.
Infused with chamomile essential oil, it offers a beautiful scent and calming benefits.
The blend of coconut oil, palm oil, and olive oil creates a moisturizing bar that’s delightful for everyday use..
Key Ingredients:
- Chamomile Essential Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Palm Oil
- Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Soothing
- Moisturizing
- Gentle on Sensitive Skin
- Calming Scent
Pro Tip: Chamomile soap is wonderfully gentle and can promote calm feelings, making it perfect for an evening wash.
Get the Recipe: Chamomile Cold Process Soap
6. Bourbon, Whiskey & Vanilla Bean Soap
Experience a unique treat with this Bourbon Whiskey & Vanilla Bean cold process soap! While it requires careful handling due to the alcohol, it results in a soap that moves fast and often gels, creating a rich experience.
The blend of vanilla bean and essential oils makes for a wonderfully fragrant bar..
Key Ingredients:
- Bourbon
- Vanilla Bean Powder
- Juniper Essential Oil
- Almond Essential Oil
- Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
- Grapefruit Essential Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Unique Fragrance
- Invigorating Experience
Pro Tip: When adding liquor, add it at a thin trace to avoid seizing. It will likely go through gel phase due to sugar content.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon, Whiskey & Vanilla Bean Soap
7. Apple Cider Soap
Capture the cozy essence of autumn with this Apple Cider soap! Made with real apple cider and a comforting fragrance, this bar offers a beautiful tan hue naturally.
It’s super nourishing, especially for normal to dry skin, and fills your space with the warm scents of fall..
Key Ingredients:
- Apple Cider
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Shea Butter
Benefits:
- Naturally Colored
- Moisturizing
- Cozy Autumn Scent
- Nourishing for Dry Skin
Pro Tip: Freeze the apple cider before adding lye to make it easier to handle and speed up the cooling process.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Soap
8. Coffee & Goat Milk Soap
This rich and creamy Coffee Goat Milk soap is a treat for the senses and your skin.
Used coffee grounds provide gentle exfoliation, while goat milk, rich in lactic acid, deeply moisturizes.
The coffee itself offers antioxidant benefits, leaving your skin feeling soft and rejuvenated..
Key Ingredients:
- Brewed Coffee
- Goat's Milk
- Used Coffee Grounds
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Tallow
- Cocoa Butter
- Castor Oil
Benefits:
- Exfoliating
- Moisturizing
- Antioxidant Properties
- Nourishing
- Gentle for All Skin Types
Pro Tip: Freeze your goat milk into cubes before adding lye to prevent scorching and manage the temperature.
Get the Recipe: Coffee & Goat Milk Soap
9. Basic Cold Process Laundry Soap
Whip up a simple yet effective basic cold process soap, perfect for laundry needs.
This recipe is a fantastic starting point for beginner soap makers, using coconut oil for a bubbly, cleansing bar and beef tallow for solidity.
It’s a rewarding way to create your own high-quality cleaning essentials..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Beef Tallow
- Lye
- Water
Benefits:
- Highly Cleansing
- Bubbly Lather
- Great for Laundry
- Beginner-Friendly
Pro Tip: Always wear protective gear (gloves, goggles, long sleeves) when working with lye. If lye touches your skin, rinse immediately with cold water.
Get the Recipe: Basic Cold Process Laundry Soap
10. Tallow & Essential Oil Cold Process Soap
This recipe uses grass-fed tallow for its amazing skin benefits, combined with essential oils for a natural, delightful scent.
Cold process soap making ensures the oils' beneficial properties are retained, resulting in a beautiful bar that's gentle yet effective.
The process requires a little patience with a four-week cure, but the moisturizing and cleansing results are well worth it..
Key Ingredients:
- Tallow
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Lye
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Cleansing
- Natural Scent
Pro Tip: Using essential oils like lavender or peppermint adds a lovely aroma and can offer aromatherapy benefits.
Get the Recipe: Tallow & Essential Oil Cold Process Soap
11. Shea Butter, Olive & Coconut Oil Cold Process Soap
This basic cold process soap recipe combines olive oil for mildness, coconut oil for cleansing lather, and shea butter for a richer feel.
It's designed to create a creamy, long-lasting bar that’s great for all skin types.
The process involves careful measuring and a curing period of 4-6 weeks, resulting in beautiful, homemade bars you’ll love to use..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Lye
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Creamy Lather
- Good Hardness
- Simple Natural Oils
Pro Tip: Adding essential oils like lavender or rose geranium can create a beautiful, calming scent.
Get the Recipe: Shea Butter, Olive & Coconut Oil Cold Process Soap
12. Lard, Coconut & Olive Oil Cold Process Soap
Making soap with lard is a fantastic way to reduce waste and create an inexpensive, beautiful bar.
This recipe balances lard with coconut oil for lather and olive oil for moisturizing properties.
Even with homemade lard, the final soap is scent-free and produces a creamy lather.
It’s a simple, effective way to create a great soap for sensitive skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Lye
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Inexpensive
- Creamy Lather
- Moisturizing
Pro Tip: Lard is an animal fat; avoid it if you aim for a vegan or vegetarian soap recipe.
Get the Recipe: Lard, Coconut & Olive Oil Cold Process Soap
13. Pumpkin & Lavender In-the-Pot Swirl Soap
Experience a delightful blend of warm, spicy pumpkin and sweet floral lavender in this unique cold process soap.
This recipe uses the 'pumpkin-in-oil' method and an in-the-pot swirl technique, perfect for when the batter thickens quickly.
The result is a visually stunning bar with a complex, pleasant aroma that’s truly unique and comforting..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
- Pumpkin Puree
- Lye
- Pumpkin Fragrance Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Purple Mica
Benefits:
- Unique Scent Blend
- Visually Appealing
- Comforting Aroma
Pro Tip: Pumpkin fragrance oils can sometimes accelerate trace due to their spice content; the in-the-pot swirl is ideal for managing this.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin & Lavender In-the-Pot Swirl Soap
14. Olive Oil Castile Soap with Herbs
Pure Castile soap, made with just olive oil, is known for its incredible gentleness.
This recipe shows you how to create that classic mildness, with the option to add natural fragrances like essential oils or fresh herbs for an extra touch.
It’s a simple, pure soap that’s kind to your skin and can be used for both bathing and light laundry tasks..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Lye
- Water
- Essential Oils
- Herbs
Benefits:
- Gentle
- Pure
- Mild Exfoliation (with herbs)
Pro Tip: Adding dried herbs like lavender or rosemary can provide a subtle fragrance and a mild exfoliating effect.
Get the Recipe: Olive Oil Castile Soap with Herbs
15. Coffee Shop Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Colloidal Oatmeal
Indulge in the rich aroma of this coffee-inspired cold process soap, expertly crafted with kaolin clay and colloidal oatmeal.
This recipe uses the elegant hanger swirl technique to create beautiful, unique patterns.
The kaolin clay offers a silky slip, while colloidal oatmeal gently soothes and retains moisture, leaving your skin feeling incredibly soft and pampered.
It's a true treat for coffee lovers!.
Key Ingredients:
- Coffee Shop Fragrance Oil
- Kaolin Clay
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Tussah Silk
Benefits:
- Anchors scent
- Adds slip
- Soothes skin
- Retains moisture
Pro Tip: Limit the use of your immersion blender to maintain a fluid soap batter, which is ideal for the hanger swirl technique.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Shop Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Colloidal Oatmeal
16. Beginner Cold Process Soap with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil & Castor Oil
Dive into soap making with this wonderfully simple and affordable cold process recipe.
Featuring a blend of olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil, this soap creates a hard, cleansing bar with a creamy, satisfying lather.
It's a fantastic starting point for any beginner, offering a gentle and effective clean while being kind to your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Lye
Benefits:
- Hard bar
- Good lather
- Cleansing
- Gentle
Pro Tip: If you don't have palm oil, you can substitute lard or all-vegetable Crisco for a similar result in this beginner recipe.
Get the Recipe: Beginner Cold Process Soap with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil & Castor Oil
17. Apple Cider Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter & Olive Oil
Experience the delightful touch of apple cider in this beautifully crafted cold process soap.
With a nourishing blend of shea butter and olive oil, this soap promises a wonderfully moisturizing and cleansing experience.
The natural sugars in apple cider enhance the lather, creating big, fluffy bubbles that feel luxurious against your skin.
It's a truly refreshing and soothing bar..
Key Ingredients:
- Apple Cider
- Shea Butter
- Olive Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Boosts lather
- Soothing
- Refreshing
Pro Tip: Using apple cider instead of water can make your lye solution heat up quickly, so consider freezing the cider beforehand to keep temperatures down.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter & Olive Oil
18. Oatmeal & Honey Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter & Lavender Oil
Wrap your skin in the comforting embrace of this oatmeal and honey cold process soap.
Infused with the goodness of shea butter, honey, lavender oil, and ground oatmeal, this soap is incredibly nourishing and gentle.
It creates a soft, creamy lather that cleanses without stripping, leaving your skin feeling soothed, soft, and wonderfully hydrated.
A truly comforting and natural choice..
Key Ingredients:
- Ground Oatmeal
- Honey
- Shea Butter
- Lavender Oil
Benefits:
- Nourishing
- Soothing
- Moisturizing
- Gentle cleansing
Pro Tip: Essential oils like lavender and tea tree are optional but add a lovely, subtle scent and potential skin benefits.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal & Honey Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter & Lavender Oil
19. Marbled Technique Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Tussah Silk
Create a work of art with this marbled technique cold process soap, designed for a luxurious feel.
It uses kaolin clay for a smooth slip and tussah silk for an extra silky glide.
The marbled effect produces a visually stunning bar that feels as good as it looks.
Enjoy a richly scented, elegantly crafted soap that makes every wash a pampering experience..
Key Ingredients:
- Kaolin Clay
- Tussah Silk
- Gold Mica
- Cappuccino Mica
Benefits:
- Silky glide
- Luxurious feel
- Visually stunning
- Smooth skin
Pro Tip: Using light-colored refined butters and oils helps ensure the white portions of your marbled soap remain vibrant and true to color.
Get the Recipe: Marbled Technique Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Tussah Silk
20. Pumpkin Pie Cold Process Soap with Cocoa Butter & Shea Butter
Embrace the cozy vibes of fall with this delightful pumpkin pie cold process soap.
Featuring a blend of cocoa butter, shea butter, and nourishing oils, this soap offers a rich, moisturizing lather.
The playful piping technique creates a unique, textured top, while the pumpkin spice fragrance evokes warm, comforting feelings.
It's a wonderfully decadent treat for your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Cocoa Butter
- Shea Butter
- Pumpkin Seed Oil
- Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Creamy lather
- Nourishing
- Comforting scent
Pro Tip: Micronizing your titanium dioxide before dispersing it in oil can help prevent clumping and create a smoother white topping for your soap.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cold Process Soap with Cocoa Butter & Shea Butter
21. Summer Fig Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Tussah Silk
Capture the essence of summer with this vibrant Summer Fig cold process soap.
Using the popular hanger swirl technique, this soap boasts beautiful, fluid designs.
It's formulated with kaolin clay for a luxurious slip and tussah silk for an extra silky feel on the skin.
The sweet, fruity fig scent makes it a perfect companion for any season, offering a refreshing and elegant cleansing experience..
Key Ingredients:
- Summer Fig Fragrance Oil
- Kaolin Clay
- Tussah Silk
- Colloidal Oatmeal
Benefits:
- Luxurious slip
- Silky feel
- Beautiful swirls
- Moisturizing
Pro Tip: A medium trace is ideal for the hanger swirl technique, ensuring your colors remain distinct and create beautiful patterns.
Get the Recipe: Summer Fig Cold Process Soap with Kaolin Clay & Tussah Silk
22. Beginner Soap Recipe with Lard, Shea Butter & Coconut Oil
This beginner-friendly cold process soap recipe is a fantastic starting point for your soap-making adventure.
Combining lard, shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil, it creates a well-balanced bar that's both conditioning and cleansing.
The simple seven-ingredient formula makes it easy to follow, resulting in wonderfully creamy, mild bars perfect for everyday use..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Shea Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
Benefits:
- Creamy lather
- Moisturizing
- Gentle on skin
- Easy to make
Pro Tip: Always use a soap calculator when making substitutions in your recipe to ensure the correct lye amount and a safe, balanced bar.
Get the Recipe: Beginner Soap Recipe with Lard, Shea Butter & Coconut Oil
23. Cold Process Soap with Ambrosia Blossom Fragrance
This cold process soap recipe features the lovely Ambrosia Blossom scent, perfect for those who adore floral and fruity notes.
It uses an 'in-the-pot' swirl technique for beautiful, unique designs.
The recipe highlights the importance of understanding fragrance oil behavior and offers tips for a fun soap-making experience..
Key Ingredients:
- Oils and Butters
- Lye
- Fragrance Oil
- Mica colorants
Benefits:
- Unique designs
- Luxurious feel
- Pleasant scent
Pro Tip: Consider using kaolin clay and colloidal oatmeal as additives; they add wonderful properties and help anchor scents.
Get the Recipe: Cold Process Soap with Ambrosia Blossom Fragrance
24. Avocado and Spearmint Cold Process Soap
Indulge in this refreshing cold process soap tutorial featuring creamy avocado and invigorating spearmint essential oil.
The avocado adds a luxurious feel to the bar, while French green clay and spirulina powder provide beautiful color.
It’s a perfect way to pamper your skin with natural goodness..
Key Ingredients:
- Avocado Butter
- Avocado Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Spearmint Essential Oil
- French Green Clay
- Spirulina Powder
Benefits:
- Luxurious texture
- Refreshing scent
- Skin-loving properties
Pro Tip: Adding avocado puree provides skin-loving properties, making the soap feel exceptionally smooth and moisturizing.
Get the Recipe: Avocado and Spearmint Cold Process Soap
25. Nourishing Lard and Olive Oil Soap
Create a luxuriously smooth bar of soap with this simple cold-process recipe featuring nourishing lard and olive oil.
Lard is known for its moisturizing properties, leaving your skin feeling soft and clean.
This recipe is a rewarding way to make your own beautiful, handmade soap..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Olive Oil
- Lye
- Water
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Nourishing
- Silky smooth skin
Pro Tip: Lard makes a beautiful, moisturizing soap, and when paired with olive oil, it creates a firm bar with a lovely lather.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Lard and Olive Oil Soap
26. Summer Scents Cold Process Soap with Papaya Mango & Coconut Paradise
Embrace summer with this cold process soap DIY featuring fruity Papaya Mango and soft, powdery Coconut Paradise fragrance oils.
Using the 'in-the-pot' swirl technique, these soaps offer a delightful tropical escape.
They are designed to be gentle and luxurious for everyday use..
Key Ingredients:
- Papaya Mango Fragrance Oil
- Coconut Paradise Fragrance Oil
- Kaolin Clay
- Colloidal Oatmeal
- Mica colorants
Benefits:
- Tropical escape
- Smooth and silky
- Gentle on skin
Pro Tip: Adding tussah silk makes the soap incredibly smooth and gives it a lovely, silky glide.
Get the Recipe: Summer Scents Cold Process Soap with Papaya Mango & Coconut Paradise
27. Iced Vanilla Woods Cold Process Soap
This Iced Vanilla Woods cold process soap is perfect for a cozy, winter feel.
It features a double-layer design with an in-the-pot swirl on top, and a comforting vanilla woods scent.
The use of blue mica and titanium dioxide creates a beautiful, frosty effect..
Key Ingredients:
- Iced Vanilla Woods Fragrance Oil
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Blue Mica
- Titanium Dioxide
- Brown Mica
Benefits:
- Comforting scent
- Beautiful frosty design
- Soothing for skin
Pro Tip: Adding kaolin clay and colloidal oatmeal enhances the soap's skin-loving properties and luxurious feel.
Get the Recipe: Iced Vanilla Woods Cold Process Soap
28. Kokum Butter and Eucalyptus Cold Process Soap
Experience the firming benefits of kokum butter in this refreshing cold process soap tutorial.
Scented with invigorating eucalyptus essential oil and enhanced with ground pumpkin seeds for gentle exfoliation, this soap offers a clean and revitalizing experience..
Key Ingredients:
- Kokum Butter
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Ground Pumpkin Seeds
- Titanium Dioxide
Benefits:
- Firming
- Refreshing scent
- Gentle exfoliation
Pro Tip: Kokum butter adds firmness and a light, non-greasy feel to your soap, while ground pumpkin seeds provide gentle exfoliation.
Get the Recipe: Kokum Butter and Eucalyptus Cold Process Soap
29. Beginner-Friendly Oatmeal Honey Soap
This natural oatmeal honey soap recipe is perfect for beginners, combining soothing oats with nourishing honey for a gentle, skin-loving bar.
It's a simple yet delightful way to create homemade soap that cleanses and moisturizes, leaving your skin feeling soft and cared for..
Key Ingredients:
- Powdered Oatmeal
- Honey
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Tallow or Lard
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Soothing
- Moisturizing
- Gentle exfoliation
Pro Tip: Ground oatmeal gently exfoliates the skin, while honey adds natural moisture and sweetness to the soap.
Get the Recipe: Beginner-Friendly Oatmeal Honey Soap