Learn how to make soap using these step-by-step instructions. I’ve also included a free printable checklist to help you navigate the entire soapmaking process from start to finish! Making soap is one of my favorite pastimes. There are so many ways to personalize a single recipe, that I rarely make the same soap twice! Once…
Learn how to make natural cold process soaps for eczema, plus plenty of recipes to get you started! I’m often asked about making homemade soaps for eczema. As someone with severe childhood eczema, who grew up to have a son with severe eczema, I’ve got some experience with this topic! While there are many primary…
This natural mushroom soap recipe features an infusion of shiitake mushrooms, which are high in antioxidants and anti-irritant compounds that may help soothe reddened or sensitive skin. Mushroom extracts are popular in skincare for their many benefits, and today we’re going to use the same idea in soap! People always ask me if the benefits…
This helpful reference chart covers 45 soapmaking oils and their characteristics, including hardness, conditioning, bubbly, cleansing, and longevity properties. It will be helpful to use as a guide when you want to swap out oils in a natural soap recipe! Before we get into the chart, let’s cover what each column means, as it relates…
Learn how & why to add diatomaceous earth to soap. Directions for adding DE to both cold process and melt & pour are included! Diatomaceous earth, also called DE, is a natural fine silica-rich powder that’s formed from the fossilized remains of algae. Food grade diatomaceous earth is used both internally and externally for natural…
Learn how to make small test batches of soap to try out new colorants, additives, and essential oil blends. I will cover how to make test batches of soap for both cold process soap (CP) and melt and pour base (MP) in this article! ? I frequently get questions about adding various things to soap…
This homemade cold process natural shave soap recipe features castor oil and rich butters to make a bubbly, creamy, moisturizing bar! While I have recipes for making dual lye shave soap on my site, some have asked for a simpler shave soap recipe that uses just one type of lye, so I was excited to…
For this recipe, I gathered bee balm flowers and leaves, dried them, then made an oil infusion and a tea. I also had some additional bee balm infused honey on hand (it’s a good herbal remedy for sore throats), so added that to the mix as well. Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa), also called wild bergamot, is…
This cold process herbal soap recipe features an infusion of yarrow – an herb that’s excellent at calming irritated and itchy skin. It’s naturally colored with French green clay, palm free, and vegan! When yarrow flowers are at their peak, and there’s plenty for me and the pollinators to share, I like to gather some…
Learn tips and tricks to help you stamp soap of all kinds: cold process, hot process, and melt and pour! Using a decorative stamp is an easy way to personalize an otherwise plain bar of soap. However, there’s a little bit of learning curve when you start stamping, so these tips and tricks should help!…
Learn why and how to use honey or agave nectar in soap, how much to use, and tips on using them. Plus, there are recipes for you to explore! Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, and it helps to soften rough or damaged skin. In soapmaking, honey also has the…
Learn how to resize soap recipes to fit your soap mold; includes step by step details plus helpful screenshots. Most of my recipes are sized to fit a Crafter’s Choice 1501 silicone mold, or a homemade wooden version of similar size. What if you have a larger or smaller mold, but want to make one…
Can you add different kinds of fibers, such as alpaca, cashmere, and bamboo silk to soap? I try those fibers and more in this cold process soap experiment! Several months ago, my daughter (an avid fiber/spinning enthusiast) saw me adding some Tussah silk fiber to soap, and wondered if other types of fiber could be…
This soap is made up of three simple layers, colored with purple clay and indigo, and scented with a floral essential oil blend. Feel free to change up the colorants and scent to put your own spin on the recipe! I first made this recipe back in spring of 2018, and recently realized that I’d…
Herbal powders are a convenient way to add nourishing components and label appeal to your handmade soaps! Instead of infusing herbs (and flowers) in oil or water for soap, you can stir small amounts of the finely powdered herbs into the: Some ground floral powders, like calendula and chamomile, add a slightly speckled texture and…
Avocado is a wonderful addition to cold process soap, featuring: skin-loving nutrients, essential fatty acids, and lots of label appeal. Here’s how to add avocado to your soap recipes! 7 quick tips when making avocado soap: Try replacing up to 1/3 of the water amount in your recipe with mashed avocado. If your recipe calls…
This forest-scented charcoal and pine tar soap lathers well and washes off cleanly. It’s a favorite with the guys in my family! Pine tar is a fantastic ingredient in soap, renowned for clearing tough-to-treat skin problems, but it can have a strong smell that’s off-putting to some. When a relative requested a pine tar soap…
Learn how to make your own orange peel powder and how to use it in cold process soap recipes. Do you or your family enjoy snacking on fresh oranges? If so, save some of those peels for your soapmaking projects! Orange peel powder adds: soft natural color label appeal loads of flavonoids (antioxidants) Depending on…
Learn how to naturally color handmade soap with beautiful mineral-rich Brazilian clay. One of my favorite soap additives is clay. Not only does it add natural color (derived from minerals naturally found in the soil), it also contributes to the skin benefits of our soap. Clay draws oils and impurities from your skin, making it…
Learn how to use charcoal in soap, how much charcoal you need to make gray and black soaps, plus a helpful usage rate table for reference! Activated charcoal is a popular natural ingredient to include in soap and other skin care products, because of its power to draw impurities from your skin. (This same action…
