Making your own soap is a rewarding way to care for your skin while creating something uniquely yours. The beauty of handmade soap lies in the essential oils you choose. At SOiL Organics, we offer a wide range of 100% pure essential oils ideal for crafting luxurious, skin-loving soaps.

Whether you want a calming soap for evening baths, a refreshing bar for mornings, or an energising blend for self-care, the right essential oils transform your soap into a nourishing experience. Scroll down to discover our favourite oils for soap making and learn how to craft your own bars from scratch.

Choosing the right essential oils for soap making

Unlike candle making, soap making focuses on the benefits of oils for skin and wellbeing. When choosing essential oils, it’s important to select scents that both smell beautiful and support skin health.
Here are our top essential oils for soap making:

1. Lavender Essential Oil

• Scent: Soft, floral, calming
• Benefits: Soothes skin, promotes relaxation, and supports healthy skin.
• Soap Tip: Works beautifully in bedtime soaps; blends well with chamomile or geranium for extra luxury.

2. Sweet Orange Essential Oil

• Scent: Bright, cheerful, uplifting
• Benefits: Uplifts mood and adds a gentle, fresh scent to soap.
• Soap Tip: Ideal for morning soaps; blends well with lemongrass or grapefruit for a refreshing bar.

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

• Scent: Clean, fresh, herbal
• Benefits: Supports clear breathing and energises the senses.
• Soap Tip: Perfect for invigorating shower soaps; pair with peppermint or rosemary for a spa-like experience.

4. Lemon Essential Oil

• Scent: Crisp, fresh, zesty
• Benefits: Uplifting and purifying, helping refresh the skin and senses.
• Soap Tip: Great for kitchen soaps or energising morning soaps; blends well with basil or lavender.

5. Peppermint Essential Oil

• Scent: Cool, crisp, minty
• Benefits: Stimulates and refreshes, soothing the skin while energising the senses.
• Soap Tip: Ideal for morning showers; pairs beautifully with sweet orange or eucalyptus.

Essential oils to avoid in soap making

While many essential oils work beautifully in soap, some are best avoided because they may irritate skin, change scent during curing, or react poorly with soap bases. These include:

• Bergamot Essential Oil: Can cause skin sensitivity when exposed to sunlight due to phototoxic properties.
• Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil: Strong and potentially irritating to sensitive skin.
• Clary Sage Essential Oil: Can oxidise quickly in soap, changing scent over time.
• Wintergreen Essential Oil: Contains methyl salicylate, which may irritate skin.
• Oregano & Thyme Essential Oils: Highly medicinal scents that may overpower blends and are better suited for specialised products.

Pro Tip: Always research essential oils before adding them to soap. Start with small batches to ensure your chosen oils maintain their scent and are gentle on skin.

Step-by-Step soap making for beginners

Now that you know which essential oils work best, here’s a simple guide to making your own soap at home. We’ll use the melt-and-pour method, perfect for beginners.

Materials needed

• Soap base (goat’s milk, shea butter, or glycerine)
• Essential oils (6–10% of soap base weight)
• Soap moulds
• Mixing bowl
• Microwave or double boiler
• Stirring utensil
• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle (to remove bubbles)

Step 1: Cut and melt the soap base

• Cut your soap base into small cubes for easier melting.
• Place the cubes in a microwave-safe bowl or a double boiler.
• Melt in short bursts in the microwave or slowly over heat, stirring in between until completely melted.

Step 2: Add essential oils

• Remove the melted soap base from heat.
• Add your chosen essential oil(s) – roughly 6–10% of the total soap weight.
• Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure oils are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Add optional extras

• For added benefits and aesthetics, consider adding:
• Dried flowers (lavender, rose petals)
• Natural colourants (clay powders, turmeric)
• Exfoliants (oatmeal, ground coffee)

• Stir well to incorporate.

Step 4: Pour into moulds

• Carefully pour your soap mixture into moulds.
• Tap moulds lightly to remove air bubbles.
• Spray the surface lightly with rubbing alcohol to ensure a smooth finish.

Step 5: Let the soap set

• Allow soap to cool and harden for at least 4–6 hours (overnight is best).
• Once firm, gently remove soap from moulds.

Step 6: Enjoy or gift your soap

• Your handmade soap is ready to use!
• Wrap for gifting or store in a cool, dry place until needed.

Pro Tip: Keep a journal of your recipes, noting essential oil combinations and proportions. This will help you recreate favourite blends and perfect your craft over time.

Explore our 100% pure essential oils and start your soap-making journey today!