Making your own soap is a rewarding way to create natural, skin-loving products right at home.
This collection explores simple yet effective soap recipes, focusing on nourishing ingredients and the satisfying process of saponification.
From creamy lard soaps to gentle olive oil bars, discover how to craft beautiful, long-lasting soaps that are perfect for you or as thoughtful handmade gifts.
Get ready to unlock your inner soap-maker!.
1. Simple Lard Soap for Basic Cleansing
This straightforward lard soap recipe is a fantastic starting point for anyone new to soap making.
Lard creates a creamy, gentle bar that effectively cleanses without stripping your skin.
It's a reliable recipe that consistently yields a good-smelling, skin-nourishing bar, perfect for everyday use..
Key Ingredients:
- Rendered animal fat or lard
- Cold, soft water
- Pure lye
Benefits:
- Gentle cleansing
- Creamy texture
- Nourishing to skin
Pro Tip: If you have hard water, adding one ounce of borax to your recipe can help improve the lather of your finished soap.
Get the Recipe: Simple Lard Soap for Basic Cleansing
2. Moisturizing Lard and Olive Oil Soap
Experience the luxurious feel of homemade soap with this lard and olive oil recipe.
Lard provides a nourishing base, while olive oil adds its renowned moisturizing properties, resulting in a silky smooth bar.
This soap offers both effective cleansing and a wonderfully soft finish for your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Olive oil
- Lye
- Essential oils
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Smooth lather
- Cleansing
Pro Tip: For a perfectly firm bar that lathers well, pair lard with a little olive oil. If you're making soap with just lard, a soap calculator is essential to ensure proper balance.
Get the Recipe: Moisturizing Lard and Olive Oil Soap
3. Beginner-Friendly Olive Oil Castile Soap
This pure olive oil castile soap is ideal for beginners and those seeking simple, natural products.
Known for its incredibly mild and moisturizing qualities, this soap is perfect for sensitive skin.
It creates a gentle, nourishing bar that can be used for hands, body, or even as a cleaning soap..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Lye
- Water
- Orange essential oil (optional)
Benefits:
- Mild for sensitive skin
- Moisturizing
- Versatile use
Pro Tip: To prevent your castile soap from becoming too hard to cut, consider pouring it into individual molds rather than a loaf mold.
Get the Recipe: Beginner-Friendly Olive Oil Castile Soap
4. Artisan Cold Process Soap with Lard and Coconut Oil
This cold process soap recipe combines lard and coconut oil for a bar that’s both cleansing and conditioning.
Coconut oil boosts lathering, while lard contributes to a creamy, smooth texture.
It's a balanced recipe that results in a hard, long-lasting bar suitable for everyday use on all skin types..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Lye
- Lemongrass essential oil
- Cedarwood essential oil
Benefits:
- Creamy lather
- Moisturizing
- Cleansing
- Hard bar
Pro Tip: When making soap with lard, remember that it can offer creamy lather and moisturizing properties due to its fatty acid content.
Get the Recipe: Artisan Cold Process Soap with Lard and Coconut Oil
5. Classic Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter
Craft a beautifully creamy and long-lasting soap bar with this classic cold process recipe.
Featuring olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, this blend creates a rich lather that's gentle on the skin.
Shea butter adds an extra touch of richness, leaving your skin feeling soft and pampered..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Lye
- Lavender essential oil
- Rose Geranium essential oil
Benefits:
- Creamy lather
- Good hardness
- Simple natural oils
- Long-lasting bar
- Rich feel
Pro Tip: To ensure a safe and successful batch, always measure your ingredients, especially lye, accurately by weight and maintain calm temperatures throughout the process.
Get the Recipe: Classic Cold Process Soap with Shea Butter
6. Beeswax and Honey Soap for a Sweet Touch
Infuse your soap with the natural goodness of beeswax and honey.
Beeswax helps create a harder bar that holds intricate mold details, while honey adds moisture and a touch of natural sweetness that can boost lather.
This recipe yields a charming bar with a subtle, sweet scent and moisturizing benefits..
Key Ingredients:
- Beeswax
- Honey
- Fragrance oil (optional)
Benefits:
- Harder bar
- Moisturizing
- Slightly improved lather
- Charming appearance
Pro Tip: Due to beeswax's tendency to solidify quickly and honey's heating properties, this recipe is best made in individual bar molds to avoid overflow issues.
Get the Recipe: Beeswax and Honey Soap for a Sweet Touch
7. Grammaw's Lye Soap for Complexion
This traditional 'Grammaw's Lye Soap' recipe, made with lard, water, borax, and lye, is celebrated as a fantastic complexion bar.
After a curing period, it's known for being wonderful for both complexion problems and dry skin, offering a cost-effective way to achieve soft, healthy skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard or strained meat drippings
- Water
- 20 Mule Team Borax
- Lye
Benefits:
- Excellent for complexion
- Great for dry skin
- Cost-effective
Pro Tip: Allow the soap to age for about two weeks before using it to ensure it's mild and ready for your skin.
Get the Recipe: Grammaw's Lye Soap for Complexion
8. Creamy Cow Milk Cold Process Soap
Elevate your soap-making with this luxurious Creamy Cow Milk Cold Process recipe.
Using whole cow milk, it creates a moisturizing bar with skin-loving properties.
The recipe features beautiful black and white layers and a unique scent blend, resulting in a visually stunning and skin-nourishing soap..
Key Ingredients:
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Palm Oil
- Shea Butter
- Sodium Hydroxide Lye
- Whole Milk
- Fragrance Oils
- Titanium Dioxide
- Activated Charcoal
Benefits:
- Extra moisture
- Skin-loving properties
- Luxurious feel
Pro Tip: Freezing the cow milk before adding lye helps prevent scorching, ensuring a smoother process.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cow Milk Cold Process Soap
9. Moisturizing Milk Soap with Lard and Coconut Oil
This milk soap recipe is a family favorite, offering a creamy and soft bar that feels incredibly moisturizing and nourishing.
Made with cow or goat's milk, lard, and coconut oil, it’s a wonderful option for those seeking gentle, skin-loving soap.
The hot process method allows for quicker use..
Key Ingredients:
- Cow or Goat's Milk
- Lye
- Organic Coconut Oil
- Homemade Lard
- Dried Calendula Flowers
- Dried Lavender Flowers
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Orange Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Nourishing
- Creamy and soft
Pro Tip: If you enjoy immediate use, the hot process method is great as the soap can be hardened and used sooner than cold process.
Get the Recipe: Moisturizing Milk Soap with Lard and Coconut Oil
10. Best Cold Process Shower Soap
Discover the 'best ever' cold process shower soap recipe that creates a bar with abundant lather, excellent cleansing, and moisturizing properties.
This recipe utilizes a variety of beneficial oils like olive oil and avocado oil, along with mango butter for a luxurious feel, making it a must-try for a refreshing shower experience..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Palm Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Castor Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Mango Butter
- Lye
- Water
- Fragrance Oil
- Sodium Lactate
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Cleansing
- Abundant lather
Pro Tip: Adding castor oil is a great way to ensure big, bubbly lather in your homemade soap.
Get the Recipe: Best Cold Process Shower Soap
11. Natural Chamomile Soap for Soothing
This natural chamomile soap recipe is a beginner-friendly cold process creation infused with the calming scent of chamomile.
Made with chamomile tea and essential oil, it offers a beautifully fragrant and deeply soothing bar.
The simple, elegant design and natural ingredients make it a delightful way to pamper your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Cocoa Butter
- Chamomile Essential Oil
- Chamomile Flowers
- Chamomile Tea
- Various nourishing oils
Benefits:
- Soothing inflammation
- Brightening
- Calming scent
Pro Tip: Drying your own chamomile flowers can result in a fresher look and scent for decorating your soap bars.
Get the Recipe: Natural Chamomile Soap for Soothing
12. Cold Process Soap Making from Scratch
Learn the fundamentals of making cold process soap from scratch with this comprehensive guide.
It demystifies the process of working with lye, emphasizing safety and recipe formulation to create soaps with specific beneficial properties for skin concerns like acne and eczema.
This resource is perfect for beginners looking to craft their own bars..
Key Ingredients:
- Water
- Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
- Fats (Oils and Butters)
Benefits:
- Customizable properties
- Beneficial for problem skin
- Rewarding hobby
Pro Tip: Always prioritize safety by wearing goggles, gloves, and working in a well-ventilated area when handling lye.
Get the Recipe: Cold Process Soap Making from Scratch
13. Gentle Oatmeal & Honey Hot Process Soap
This soap is a dream for sensitive skin, featuring finely ground oatmeal and nourishing honey for a creamy, mild cleanse.
It's crafted using a hot process method for a gentle, everyday bar that feels wonderfully soothing..
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Castor Oil
- Tamanu Oil
- Powdered Oatmeal
- Honey
Benefits:
- Creamy and mild
- Nourishing
- Gentle cleanse
Pro Tip: For a richer scent, add about 1/4 teaspoon of lavender essential oil.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Oatmeal & Honey Hot Process Soap
14. Nourishing Tallow & Coconut Oil Soap
Experience the time-tested benefits of tallow soap! This recipe creates a gentle, long-lasting bar with a creamy lather that cleanses without drying.
It’s a natural, effective choice perfect for those seeking simple, pure skincare..
Key Ingredients:
- Rendered Tallow
- Distilled Water
- Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Gentle on skin
- Long-lasting bar
- Creamy lather
Pro Tip: Consider adding a touch of coconut oil for extra lather or olive oil for increased moisturizing properties.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Tallow & Coconut Oil Soap
15. Classic Cold Process Olive Oil Soap
Create your own custom soap with this simple cold-process recipe.
Featuring olive oil for moisture and coconut oil for cleansing, this recipe results in a balanced, smooth bar that’s gentle on your skin.
It’s a fantastic way to get started with personalized soap making..
Key Ingredients:
- Distilled Water
- Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Palm Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Cleansing
- Customizable
Pro Tip: Allow your soap to cure for 4-6 weeks for a harder, longer-lasting bar with milder properties.
Get the Recipe: Classic Cold Process Olive Oil Soap
16. Skin-Nourishing Rose Hip Soap
Pamper your skin with this rose hip soap, rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Using a cold-process method with nourishing oils and French rose clay, this bar leaves skin feeling brighter and softer.
It’s a truly luxurious treat for your complexion..
Key Ingredients:
- Tallow
- Coconut Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Castor Oil
- Rose Hip Seed Oil
- French Rose Clay
- Rose Essential Oil Absolute
- Geranium Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Brightens complexion
- Combats signs of aging
- Detoxifies skin
Pro Tip: Freeze your liquids (like rose hip tea) before mixing with lye for a safer, quicker process and to help preserve beneficial properties.
Get the Recipe: Skin-Nourishing Rose Hip Soap
17. Simple Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Soap
Discover the moisturizing power of coconut oil and shea butter with this beginner-friendly cold-process soap recipe.
It creates a rich, bubbly lather that leaves skin feeling soft and clean.
Customize it with your favorite essential oils for a personal touch..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
- Distilled Water
Benefits:
- Rich lather
- Moisturizing
- Gentle cleanse
Pro Tip: For a gentler, more moisturizing soap, aim for a higher superfat percentage (15-20%) when using coconut oil.
Get the Recipe: Simple Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Soap
18. Gentle Bentonite Clay & Rosehip Facial Soap
This fragrance-free facial soap bar is designed to deeply cleanse and gently rejuvenate your skin.
With bentonite clay to draw out impurities and rosehip oil for nourishment, it leaves your face feeling clean, soft, and beautifully balanced..
Key Ingredients:
- Shea Butter
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Castor Oil
- Argan Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Bentonite Clay
Benefits:
- Deeply cleanses
- Nourishes skin
- Balances complexion
Pro Tip: A 5% superfat level in this recipe creates a well-balanced bar that moisturizes and lathers well, perfect for facial use.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Bentonite Clay & Rosehip Facial Soap
19. Nourishing Tallow Soap with Coconut Oil and Olive Oil
Experience the deeply nourishing benefits of tallow soap, blended with cleansing coconut oil and conditioning olive oil for a balanced, skin-loving bar.
This recipe creates a hard, long-lasting soap with a creamy lather that gently cleanses without stripping your skin.
It's perfect for everyday use and leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed..
Key Ingredients:
- Tallow
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Lye
- Distilled Water
Benefits:
- Deeply nourishing
- Gentle cleansing
- Hard, long-lasting bar
- Creamy lather
Pro Tip: For a more luxurious bar, consider adding milk, honey, or powdered oats to this recipe for extra skin-loving properties.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Tallow Soap with Coconut Oil and Olive Oil
20. Gentle Lard Soap for Sensitive Skin
This simple lard soap is a fantastic choice for those with sensitive skin, offering excellent cleansing benefits without harshness.
Lard creates a beautiful, pure white bar that produces a creamy lather and plenty of bubbles.
It’s an affordable ingredient that results in a hard, long-lasting bar perfect for everyday pampering..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Soapmaking Lye
- Distilled Water
- Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Excellent cleansing
- Great for sensitive skin
- Pure white bar
- Creamy lather
Pro Tip: Adding a few drops of essential oil like lavender or sweet orange can add a lovely scent and extra benefits to this gentle soap.
Get the Recipe: Gentle Lard Soap for Sensitive Skin
21. Nourishing Oatmeal Honey Soap
Indulge your skin with this calming Oatmeal Honey soap recipe.
The gentle touch of oatmeal soothes and eases dryness, while raw honey draws in moisture, leaving your skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth.
It creates a wonderfully creamy lather, making every wash feel like a spa treatment.
Perfect for sensitive skin and a delightful gift!.
Key Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Shea Butter
- Castor Oil
- Rolled Oats
- Raw Honey
- Distilled Water
- Lye
Benefits:
- Soothes sensitive skin
- Moisturizes naturally
- Gentle exfoliation
- Creamy lather
Pro Tip: For a more exfoliating bar, leave some oats whole; for a smoother feel, grind them finely. You can also add lavender or chamomile essential oil for extra calming benefits.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Oatmeal Honey Soap
22. Refreshing Peppermint Eucalyptus Soap
Invigorate your senses with this refreshing Peppermint Eucalyptus cold process soap.
This recipe creates hard, bubbly bars with a luxurious lather, enriched with moisturizing superfat for extra hydration.
The blend of peppermint and eucalyptus offers a wonderfully clean and cooling sensation, perfect for a revitalizing cleanse..
Key Ingredients:
- Oils
- Lye
- Water
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Refreshing scent
- Soothing and moisturizing
- Hard, bubbly bars
- Luxurious lather
Pro Tip: Consider topping your soap with crushed eucalyptus leaves for a beautiful and natural decoration.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Peppermint Eucalyptus Soap
23. Easy Palm Oil Soap for Beginners
This beginner-friendly cold process soap recipe uses simple, affordable ingredients to create a hard, creamy bar with a great lather.
Palm oil contributes to its conditioning properties, making it a wonderful choice for those new to soap making.
It’s an economical way to craft beautiful, skin-loving soap at home..
Key Ingredients:
- Palm Oil
- Refined Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Distilled Water
- Lye/Sodium Hydroxide
- Fragrance Oil
Benefits:
- Hard bar
- Creamy lather
- Economical ingredients
- Ideal for beginners
Pro Tip: You can substitute lard or Crisco for palm oil if preferred, without needing to recalculate the lye amount.
Get the Recipe: Easy Palm Oil Soap for Beginners
24. Basic Lard Soap
This foundational soap recipe uses simple ingredients like lard, olive oil, and coconut oil to create a classic bar.
It's a great starting point for beginners wanting to make their own cleansing bars.
The combination ensures a good balance of hardness and lather for a satisfying clean..
Key Ingredients:
- Lard
- Olive Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Lye
- Water
Benefits:
- Hard Bar
- Good Lather
- Gentle Cleanse
Pro Tip: Always ensure your lye and water are at similar temperatures before mixing to help the saponification process start smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Basic Lard Soap
25. Cold-Pressed Tallow and Coconut Oil Soap
Experience a creamy, luxurious lather with this cold-pressed tallow and coconut oil soap recipe.
Tallow creates a hard, long-lasting bar, while coconut oil adds moisture and protection.
This recipe is celebrated for its rich, ultra-moisturizing properties, making your skin feel soft and pampered..
Key Ingredients:
- Beef Tallow
- Coconut Oil
- Lye
- Water
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Rich Lather
- Ultra-Moisturizing
- Hard, Long-Lasting Bar
Pro Tip: Adding essential oils like lavender or wild orange can give your soap a natural, delightful fragrance.
Get the Recipe: Cold-Pressed Tallow and Coconut Oil Soap
26. Hot Process Soap with Natural Additives
This hot process soap recipe is a fast and simple way to create handmade soap that can be used the very next day! It focuses on all-natural ingredients, using essential oils for scent and herbs or clays for color.
It's a straightforward method for confident soap makers..
Key Ingredients:
- Natural Oils
- Essential Oils
- Herbs
- Clays
- Lye
- Water
Benefits:
- Fast Curing
- All-Natural Ingredients
- Customizable Scents and Colors
Pro Tip: Hot process soap is also known as 'crock-pot soap' and is a great way to make soap quickly.
Get the Recipe: Hot Process Soap with Natural Additives
27. Bentonite Clay Deep Cleansing Soap
This bentonite clay soap recipe offers a deeply cleansing experience, harnessing the absorbent power of volcanic ash to draw out impurities from your skin.
It leaves your skin feeling rejuvenated with a silky lather.
The clay also adds a unique touch that makes this bar a must-try for a refreshing cleanse..
Key Ingredients:
- Bentonite Clay
- Shea Butter
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Castor Oil
- Lye
- Water
- Essential Oils
Benefits:
- Deep Pore Cleansing
- Silky Lather
- Rejuvenated Skin
Pro Tip: To help anchor the scent and prevent clumping, mix your bentonite clay with a small amount of essential oil or distilled water before adding it to the soap batter.
Get the Recipe: Bentonite Clay Deep Cleansing Soap
28. Moisturizing Avocado and Shea Butter Body Bar
Craft a wonderfully emollient body bar with this balanced recipe featuring avocado oil and shea butter.
It’s designed for a hard bar with a lovely mix of bubbly and creamy lather, perfect for everyday use.
This recipe is a go-to for creating soft, smooth skin with a gentle, nourishing clean..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
- Shea Butter
- Fragrance
- Lye
- Water
Benefits:
- Emollient
- Hard Bar
- Bubbly and Creamy Lather
Pro Tip: For a gentler bar with less lather, increase the olive oil content and decrease the coconut oil.
Get the Recipe: Moisturizing Avocado and Shea Butter Body Bar