Using a digital scale, measure out your water and pour it into a heat-resistant glass or thick plastic pitcher.

Measure out the lye and add it to the water. Stir the lye into the water slowly until it dissolves. Note, the chemical reaction will cause it to heat up quickly.
Using the digital scale, measure out the coconut oil. Pour into a saucepan and melt over medium heat.

Once the coconut oil is melted, remove it from the heat.

Allow the oil to cool to 100°F. Slowly add the lye and water to the oil, mix with an immersion blender. This will take a couple of minutes. You will know it is the right consistency when the soap from the blender drips and pools up on top of the soap in the saucepan. This is known as the trace.

If using essential oils, add those in now. Mix with an immersion blender.

Pour the soap into a soap mold. If using silicone soap molds, you don’t have to prep before pouring it in. Other molds may require parchment paper.

Allow the soap to harden and sit in the molds for at least 24 hours or up to 3 days.
Remove the soap from the molds and allow the bars to cure for 3-4 weeks before using.