Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is produced by processing cocoa beans. This ingredient contributes unsaponifiable properties, which is what makes it an excellent emollient. Cocoa butter also adds a pleasant chocolate aroma to your soap. Additionally, it will help improve the consistency of your soap, giving it a finished product that is creamy and firm.

Coconut Oil

This oil is the partially solid fat obtained from the flesh of coconuts. It affects the hardness and amount of lather in the soap, but can be drying to skin.

Emu Oil

This oil is extracted from emu fat.

Hemp Seed Oil

This oil is harvested from hemp seeds, both live and sterilized. Since Hemp Seed Oil is high in fatty acids, it is a good choice for moisturizing soaps.

Jojoba Oil

This liquid wax is harvested from the seeds.

Macadamia Nut Oil

Harvested from Macadamia nuts, this oil is an excellent choice for an emollient.

Olive Oil

This oil is harvested from olives by pressing them and then using solvent extraction. Soaps made with olive oil tend to be extremely hard, but are mild for your skin. These soaps tend to produce a lot of lather and last a long time.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is harvested from peanuts by pressing shelled nuts. This oil is rich in Vitamin E and often part of mixed vegetable oil. However, it can also be used in its pure form. Using peanut oil will result in soap that is somewhat soft but with a good lather.

Vegetable Oils

Typically, this would be a combination of oils, including but not limited to soy, corn, or peanut oil. The soap produced using vegetable oil is somewhat soft and will produce good lather.

Vitamin E Oil

Many people like this oil for facial soap in that it prevents wrinkles by soothing and contributing to regeneration of skin.

Soap Making Supplies - Additives and Other Ingredients

Absolute

This concentrated alcohol soluble has a nice, aromatic base.

Almond Meal

Pureed and blanched almonds act as a cleanser in that they absorb oils from the skin and help open pores.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a gel created by pressing the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant, extracting the gel-like substance. Aloe Vera has healing properties and is quite soothing.

Apricots

Like apricot oil, apricot fruit is high in mineral salts and vitamins. The fruit can be used fresh or dried and works as a skin softener.

Ascorbic Acid

This is actually pure vitamin C.

Benzoin

Benzoin is a resin that acts as both a preservative and as an adhesive for scent.

Beeswax

Beeswax comes from honeycombs and makes a good balm.

Borax

Borax is the common name for sodium borate. This white crystalline mineral is well suited for use as a cleanser or as an emulsifier.

Bran

This is the diced outer shell of any grain, which makes an excellent abrasive for soap.

Buttermilk

This sour milk is a byproduct of separating fat from milk or cream. It makes an excellent cleanser and is well suited for sensitive skin.

Carrots

When used as an essential oil they are high in vitamin E. Carrots in any form are high in Vitamin A, which improves both the softness and overall health of your skin.

Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that increases the astringency of soap. Additionally, it can be taken directly from your garden or a tea bag can be used.

Cinnamon

This spice is mildly abrasive and contributes its scent and color to the finished soap. Cinnamon will also help improve the lather.

Citric Acid

This liquid is extracted from citric fruit and from other acidic fruits.

Clay

Clay can be drying to the skin because it draws out and absorbs oil and is therefore, used primarily in facial soaps.

Cloves

Both the oil and the commercially available ground herb can be used in soap making. Cloves also contribute an antiseptic quality to your soap.

Copra

Copra is dried coconut meat. Including copra in soap will increase the richness of lather and produce a hard soap. Like coconut oil, this can be somewhat drying for your skin.

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