Homemade Soap Recipe | Melt and Pour

This is the easiest homemade soap recipe using a shea butter melt and pour soap base. No special equipment needed! Add in dried flowers and essential oil to customize it the way you want. Perfect for spa night or a handmade gift.

HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE 

I am going to start off by saying, this isn’t a legit “homemade” soap bar recipe. To be honest, the idea of soap making is overwhelming for me, and I currently don’t have the time to look into it. It is on my “someday” list for sure. 

When I discovered melt and pour soap bases, I decided I could make my own soap that looks beautiful, smells even more beautiful, and it is so easy anyone can do it! 

With a home business, little kids, and a homeschooling mama, this melt and pour soap base recipe will have to do for now. Did I convince you to try this?

PIN IT FOR LATER 

LYE FOR SOAP MAKING

Lye is the ingredient needed to make soap bars and the ingredient that steered me away for so long. You need to take precautions when using it, and you have to be sure it is handled properly. When using lye, you need to wear a mask and gloves because it can be very dangerous to breathe in and can burn the skin. 

However, if used correctly, it doesn’t have to be scary, and it can be used to make a natural, all-healthy soap bar. The “during” process can be dangerous, but the “after” is completely safe and can be used to make soap for the most sensitive of skin.

Lye is the ingredient needed to make the oils turn into soap and is needed to make any soap bars. If you don’t want to mess with lye, you can use a melt and pour soap base that already has the dirty work done for you. 

BEST SOAP BASE FOR HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE

When looking for a soap base, you will see that there are several different options. Are you surprised? The world of online shopping has opened up endless possibilities and options for anything we buy, even a soap base. 

I will list several options below that you can try. I personally have used the shea butter and glycerin organic melt and pour bases. 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

Shea butter melt and pour soap base

Organic oil clear glycerin soap base

Goats milk melt and pour soap base 

Honey melt and pour soap base

Coconut milk melt and pour soap base

As you can see, there are lots of options when choosing a soap base. All of them will work similarly, and the recipe will remain the same. Should you have any skin sensitivity, allergies, or prefer a vegan option, you can choose your base accordingly.

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE

Adding essential oils is the best part and can really customize your soap. Using lavender and chamomile will make a nice gentle and calming soap bar or foaming hand soap. Or use peppermint and eucalyptus for a cooling soap with soothing properties. 

Just like the soap base, the possibilities are endless. You can choose a single essential oil or blend a few together. Depending on how much you make at a time will determine the number of drops you will need to add. 

Let your nose be the judge; if you like it stronger, add more, and vice versa. Remember, I am keeping this simple folks! 

ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS FOR DIY SOAP

CALMING AND RELAXING 

• Lavender 
• Roman Chamomile 
• Clary Sage

CITRUS BLISS

• Wild Orange 
• Bergamont
• Lemon

SENSITIVE SKIN

• Lavender 
• Frankincense 
• Sandalwood

SOOTHING MASSAGE BLEND 

• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus 
• Siberian Fir 

EARTHY 

• Sandalwood
• Cedarwood 
• Bergamont 

Find the oils for your blend here.

SIMPLE SOAP RECIPES

CALMING SHEA BUTTER LAVENDER

INGREDIENTS 

1 pound shea butter soap base 

50 drops lavender essential oil

2 teaspoons dried lavender 

2 teaspoons honey

Silicone soap mold 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Cut the shea butter soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
2. Melt over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. 
3. Remove from heat when it is completely melted. 
4. Add in dried lavender, honey, and lavender essential oil. Stir to mix. 
5. Pour into a soap mold. 
6. Allow it to completely harden and then pop the soap out of the mold. 

CITRUS SOAP BAR RECIPE

INGREDIENTS 

1 pound shea butter soap base 

45 drops essential oils (25 drops wild orange, 10 drops bergamot, and 10 drops lemon) 

1 teaspoon orange zest 

Silicone soap mold 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Cut the shea butter soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
2. Melt over medium heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. 
3. Remove from heat when it is completely melted. 
4. Add in orange zest and essential oils.  
5. Pour into a soap mold. 
6. Allow it to completely harden and then pop the soap out of the mold. 

OTHER ADD IN’S TO TRY

Dried flowers, oatmeal, and even coffee grinds can make wonderful additions for homemade soap bars. These can even make the soap exfoliating!  

Coffee 

You can use whole coffee beans or ground coffee in soap making. Whole beans are best for decorations and can be pressed into the top before the soap is fully hardened. Or you can add in 1 teaspoon of used coffee grinds for exfoliation.

Oatmeal 

Oatmeal has so many great benefits for the skin and can help with many skin irritations. You can use quick oats, colloidal oatmeal, or powder oatmeal. You can make your own powder oatmeal by blending oatmeal in a high-speed blender. 

Dried Flowers 

My favorite dried flowers to use are calendulas because I think they look so pretty in the soap! You can also use rose petals, lavender buds, or other greenery. 

Zest 

Fruit zest is another excellent ingredient to add to your homemade soap. I prefer to use a fine grader to make fine zest to add to my soap. This adds for exfoliation and a lovely scent. Fruit zest is also used in my Christmas soap recipe.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE SOAP LAST?

Homemade soap with a melt and pour soap base will last at least 12 months. 

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE SOAP? 

If you make a lot at one time, you can store the soap bars in a covered container with a little circulation. Keep in a cool and dry place until use. 

Homemade Soap Recipe | Melt and Pour

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound shea butter soap base 
• 50 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 teaspoons dried lavender 
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Silicone soap mold 

Instructions

1. Cut the shea butter soap base into small chunks and place them into a double boiler.
   
2. Melt over medium heat stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. 
   
3. Once it is completely melted; remove from heat. 
   
4. Add in dried lavender, honey, and lavender essential oil. Mix together.
   
5. Pour into a soap mold. 
   
6. Allow it to completely hardened and then pop the soap out of the mold. 

Notes

This will make 4 bars of soap if using the same mold I am using. It is linked in the post above.