20 Non-Toxic Homemade Soap Recipes for Beginners

Best Handmade Soap Recipes for Beginner Soap Makers

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make your own handmade soap? You may be surprised to hear that it’s actually not that difficult! With a bit of know-how, the right supplies, and some simple ingredients, anyone can craft up their own natural soap!

There’s a ton of benefits to making your own handmade soap too. The number one benefit is that you’ll know exactly what’s in it! Store-bought soap could be loaded with toxic ingredients while homemade soap is made with whatever you decide to make it with.

So, if you’re ready to start making your own soap but you just don’t know where to start, check out the homemade soap recipes below and start learning! You’ll find melt and pour recipes (the easiest method) and soap recipes with lye as well (for the more advanced soap makers).

1. Epsom Salt Soap

Ok, first of all, I just have to say this soap looks so pretty! It sort of reminds me of the color of dawn dish soap… random thought!

Anyway, this DIY Epsom salt soap is a great one to have on hand because it’s supposed to help relieve muscle soreness. Perfect for a relaxing shower!

Ingredients:

• Epsom salt
• Melt and pour soap base (I used clear glycerine and goat’s milk bases)
• Soap colorant 
• Essential or scented oil
• Spray alcohol
• Simple bar soap molds

MAKE THIS SOAP!

2. Natural Soap for Eczema

If you have eczema, you probably try to stay away from most soaps as they can just dry your skin out more and make matters worse. However, this natural soap recipe will actually help relieve your dry, itchy skin as it’s made with moisturizing oils.

Note: This is one of those soap recipes that is a bit more advanced as it requires the use of lye. 

Ingredients:

• • Lye water
    • 65g (2.3oz) Sodium hydroxide (also called lye or NaOH)
    • 127g (4.9oz) Water (preferably distilled)
  • Solid oils
    • 143g (5oz) Coconut oil (refined)
    • 24g (0.85oz) Shea butter
  • Liquid oils
    • 214g (7.56oz) Olive oil (pomace)
    • 24g (0.85oz) Castor oil
  • Oils to add after Trace
    • 24g (0.85oz) Neem oil
    • 24g (0.85oz) Avocado oil
  • Special equipment
    • Digital Thermometer
    • Digital Kitchen Scale
    • Stick (Immersion) Blender
    • 6 Cavity silicone soap mould

MAKE THIS SOAP!

3. Coconut Shea Butter Soap

If you’re looking for a homemade soap that will leave your skin feeling soft and luxurious, this shea butter soap is perfect! It also only requires two ingredients and a soap mold so it’s great for beginner soap makers!

Ingredients:

• 6 cubes Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base (you can also find it at Michael’s)
• 15 drops of Coconut Soap Fragrance (I bought this soap fragrance at Michael’s too).
• 1 soap mold

MAKE THIS SOAP!

4. Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bars

These are technically not soap bars but I thought shampoo bars sounded really neat so I had to include them! Who doesn’t want to make their own healthy natural shampoo anyway?

Also, these shampoo bars basically follow the same process as any handmade soap recipes so they shouldn’t be too difficult to make if you have experience.

Ingredients:

• Oil Portion
  • 10 oz olive oil (283 g)
  • 8 oz coconut oil (227 g)
  • 4 oz sunflower oil (113 g)
  • 4 oz castor oil (113 g)
  • 2 oz jojoba oil (57 g)
• Liquids and Lye
  • 3.82 oz lye (108 g)
  • 10 oz distilled water (283 g)
• Essential Oils
  • 1 tbsp peppermint essential oil
  • 1 tsp rosemary essential oil

MAKE THIS SOAP!

5. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Soap

If you love fall, this is the soap for you. I can almost smell it through the screen! Since it’s made with a goat’s milk base and oats it will also leave your skin soft and smooth.

Ingredients:

• 5.5 oz pour and melt goat’s milk bases
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp quick oats
• 10–12 drops apple fragrance oil
• 3-4 drops cinnamon fragrance oil (or essential oil)
• soap mold

MAKE THIS SOAP!

6. Honey Lemon Soap

This is another one of those beginner homemade soap recipes without lye. I absolutely love the way it looks! The honey and lemon give it a clear yellowish tint and the creator of the recipe says it has an uplifting, nourishing scent. Love it!

Ingredients:

• ½ pound clear glycerin melt and pour soap base
• soap mold
• ½ cup honey
• Zest of 1/2 organic lemon
• 5-10 drops lemon essential oil

MAKE THIS SOAP!

7. Seascape Soap

Although the ingredient list for this homemade soap may look a bit intimidating, it still uses the melt & pour method so it’s not going to be crazy difficult. Plus, look how amazing the finished product looks! The work is totally worth it in my opinion.

Ingredients:

• 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
  
• 32 oz. Clear Melt & Pour Soap Base
• 20 oz. White Melt & Pour Soap Base
• 0.8 oz. Midnight Waters Fragrance Oil
• 0.8 oz. Vanilla Color Stabilizer
• 1 Tbsp. Walnut Shells
• Caribbean Blue Color Block
• Ultramarine Blue Color Block
• Hydrated Chrome Green Color Block
• Brown Oxide Color Block
• 99% Isopropyl Alcohol in a Spray Bottle

MAKE THIS SOAP!

8. Pumpkin Spice Soap

If you’re a pumpkin spice fan then this should be your go-to soap recipe for fall time! It only takes about 10 minutes to make so you’ll be able to whip it up quickly.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz goat’s milk bases
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2–3 drops of orange gel food coloring
• 12–15 drops of pumpkin pie fragrance
• soap mold

MAKE THIS SOAP!

9. Eucalyptus Shower Melts

If you have a cold, you have got to try these eucalyptus shower melts! When you drop them in the shower, they’ll slowly release essential oils into the air to energize you and clear up your sinuses.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 2-5 tablespoons water
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• Soap colorant (optional)
• Silicone mold

MAKE THIS SOAP!

10. Natural Dog Soap

Dogs deserve to be pampered too and this homemade natural dog soap will do just that! In fact, not only will this homemade soap get your dog clean and smelling fabulous, but it will also rid their fur of fleas.

Ingredients:

• 500 g olive oil
• 250 g coconut oil
• 100 g sunflower oil
• 100 g shea butter
• 50 g castor oil
• 138 g caustic soda
• 270 ml water
• 2 teaspoons sodium lactate
• 2 tablespoons neem oil
• 10 ml lavender essential oil
• 10 ml lemon eucalyptus essential oil

MAKE THIS SOAP!

11. Dandelion Soap

If you’re ready to get fancy and serious about your soap making, try out this dandelion soap recipe. It’s not as easy as some of the other recipes on this list but it’s loaded with natural ingredients that will make your skin look and feel amazing.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces Purified Tallow
• 9 ounces Coconut Oil
• 7 ounces Dandelion Blossom-Infused Sunflower Oil
• 12.16 ounces Dandelion Tea, preferably frozen into ice cubes
• 4.6 ounces Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)

MAKE THIS SOAP!

12. Cinnamon Cocoa Soap

I don’t know about you, but I am constantly amazed at how beautiful some of these homemade soap recipes turn out! This one looks like something I could eat!

Note that this recipe will require some experience with lye so make sure you prepare yourself beforehand. Safety first!

Ingredients:

• 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
• Hanger Swirl Tool
• 5 oz. Babassu Oil (15.1%)
• 0.7 oz. Castor Oil (2.1%)
• 3.3 oz. Cocoa Butter (9.9%)
• 8.3 oz. Coconut Oil (25%)
• 1 oz. Mango Butter (3%)
• 3.3 oz. Oat Oil (9.9%)
• 6.6 oz. Olive Oil (19.9%)
• 5 oz. Sunflower Oil (15.1%)
• 4.8 oz. Sodium Hydroxide Lye
• 9.9 oz. Distilled Water (10% water discount)
• 1.3 oz. Cinnamon Cocoa Fragrance Oil
• Black Oxide
• Brown Oxide
• Titanium Dioxide
• Cinnamon Sticks

MAKE THIS SOAP!

13. DIY Liquid Hand Soap

If you love foaming hand soap (it’s wonderful) but don’t want to buy toxic soaps from the store, you should try this non-toxic liquid hand soap recipe! With only three ingredients, it’s easy and cheap to make, and the citrus scent is nice and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of Castile soap
• 20 drops of lemon essential oil
• soap dispenser

MAKE THIS SOAP!

14. Honey and Oatmeal Soap

If you’re looking for a soap that will nourish sensitive skin, this honey and oatmeal soap is perfect. The ingredients will soften and bring moisture back into your skin, and the oatmeal will help to gently exfoliate it.

Ingredients:

• ¾ pound melt & pour goat’s milk bases
• 8 ounces rolled oats (finely ground)
• 4 tablespoons honey
• Oval silicone mold
• Large Pyrex measuring cup
• Wooden stir stick

MAKE THIS SOAP!

15. Pine and Peppermint Soap

If you like a stronger scent for your soaps (or you want to make a gift for your man), this pine and peppermint soap is a great option. The two scents go together perfectly for a refreshing and uplifting aroma!

Ingredients:

• Oil Mixture
  • 8 ounces Olive Oil
  • 6 ounces Coconut Oil
  • 4 ounces Sweet Almond Oil
  • 4 ounces Shea Butter
  • 4 ounces Cocoa Butter
  • .75 (3/4) ounce Castor Oil
• Lye Solution
  • 10.17 ounces distilled water
  • 3.7 ounces sodium hydroxide (lye)
• Colorant
  • 2 tablespoons Spirulina powder
• Essential Oil Blend
  • 1.25 ounces Pine Essential Oil
  • .75 ounces Peppermint Essential Oil

MAKE THIS SOAP!

16. Honey Lavender Soap

There are a few other DIY soap recipes on this list that use honey but this is the first one that combines honey and lavender. It’s a great combination too because both of those ingredients are amazing for your skin!

Ingredients:

• Honey Soap Base
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Silicone Soap Mold
• 4-Cup Pyrex Measuring Cup
• Dried Lavender Buds (optional)
• Sparkle Gold Soap Color (optional)

MAKE THIS SOAP!

17.  Lemon Poppy Seed Soap

With a wonderful lemon scent and poppy seeds for exfoliation, this soap is extremely pleasant on the nose and the skin. It looks great too!

This is a hot process soap so it may not be the best for beginners but once you have a bit of experience with your soap making you should have no problem with it!

Ingredients:

• 10″ Silicone Loaf Mold
• 33 oz. Lots of Lather Quick Mix
• 4.7 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
• 10.9 oz. Distilled Water
• 1 oz. Sodium Lactate
• 0.5 oz. Lemon Verbena Yankee Type Fragrance Oil
• 1 oz. Champagne Fragrance Oil
• Poppy Seeds
• Yellow Mica
• Activated Charcoal

MAKE THIS SOAP!

18. Cucumber Soap

This cucumber soap recipe is full of natural and nourishing ingredients that will help soothe and calm itchy or inflamed skin.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 (2 or 3 oz) of a cucumber, unpeeled
• 9 oz (255 g) cool or chilled water
• 3.83 oz (108 g) lye (sodium hydroxide)
• 12 oz (340 g) olive oil
• 8 oz (227 g) coconut oil (*or babassu oil)
• 4 oz (113 g) rice bran oil
• 2 oz (57 g) avocado oil
• 2 oz (57 g) shea, mango or avocado butter
• 1/2 tbsp French green clay mixed with 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) water

MAKE THIS SOAP!

19. Watermelon Soap

Ok, if we’re judging these handmade soap recipes off of looks, I think this watermelon soap wins! This would be such a great recipe to make around summer time, and best of all, these soap bars only take about 15 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

• Goat’s Milk Soap Base (can also use Shea Butter Soap Base or Coconut Soap Base)
• Clear Soap Base
• Silicone Loaf Soap Mold
• Pyrex Measuring Cup
• Green Soap Colorant*
• Red Soap Colorant*
• Watermelon Fragrance Oil
• Poppy Seeds
• 99% Isopropyl Alcohol in a Misting Spray Bottle

MAKE THIS SOAP!

20. Popsicle Soap

Last but not least, these popsicle soap bars may even rival the cuteness of the watermelon bars above! Plus, they only take around 10 minutes to make and they all have a fun fruity scent!

Ingredients:

• popsicle molds (I used an old-school Tupperware set from a yard sale, but I really like this easy-release silicone mold)
• fruit fragrance oil (Brambleberry has lots of good options, too)
• liquid soap colorant
• 1 pound white melt and pour soap base
• wooden popsicle sticks
• waterproof ink pads or markers
• assorted fruit stamps
• mini alphabet stamps
• clear treat bags
• ribbon
• large glass measuring cup
• rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

MAKE THIS SOAP!

So Many Homemade Soap Recipes to Choose From!

As you can see, there are a ton of different homemade soap recipes out there. You can combine all sorts of different herbs, essential oils, and other ingredients to make different soap bars for different purposes.

Once you have some experience following some of the soap recipes above, don’t be afraid to get creative and start experimenting with your own favorite ingredients! That’s when the fun really begins!

Do you have experience making handmade soap or are you a complete beginner? If you’re new to this, let us know which soap bar you plan to make first! 

Other DIY Ideas You Might Like:

• How to Make DIY Body Wash from Bar Soap
• DIY All Natural After Sun Spray and Lotion
• 17 DIY Cleaners That Work Like Magic
• The Best Epsom Salt Detox Bath Recipe
• DIY Essential Oil Spray Recipe (Energy Booster)