Bastille Soap Recipe Made Easy: Natural & Authentic Guide

Discover the timeless charm and gentle cleansing power of Bastille soap, a classic soap recipe that has been cherished for centuries. Originating from the south of France, this soap is known for its high olive oil content, which makes it exceptionally moisturizing and perfect for sensitive skin.

If you’re looking to craft your own natural, handmade soap that’s both nourishing and eco-friendly, the Bastille soap recipe is an ideal place to start. Whether you’re a beginner soap maker or an experienced DIY enthusiast, this recipe guides you through every step to create beautiful, creamy bars of soap that will leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed.

In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to know about making Bastille soap at home—from essential ingredients and equipment to detailed instructions and useful tips. We’ll also cover some variations to customize your soap and provide some interesting serving suggestions for gifting or personal use.

Ready to embark on your soap-making journey? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bastille soap stands out because it is made primarily with olive oil, making it one of the gentlest soaps you can create. Unlike other soaps that can dry out your skin, Bastille soap nourishes and hydrates, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth.

It’s also a fantastic choice for those with sensitive or dry skin, as it is less likely to cause irritation.

This recipe is straightforward and uses natural ingredients that you can easily find. Plus, making your own soap lets you avoid synthetic chemicals commonly found in commercial products.

You can customize your soap with your favorite essential oils or add ingredients like herbs or exfoliants to suit your preferences.

Overall, Bastille soap is a luxurious, eco-friendly, and skin-loving option that makes a perfect homemade gift or a beautiful addition to your daily self-care routine.

Ingredients

• 16 oz (450 g) olive oil – the heart of Bastille soap, providing moisturizing qualities
• 6 oz (170 g) coconut oil – adds cleansing power and helps create a good lather
• 4 oz (115 g) castor oil – enhances lather and conditioning
• 4.72 oz (135 g) sodium hydroxide (lye) – essential for saponification
• 12 oz (340 g) distilled water – for dissolving the lye
• Optional: 1 oz (30 ml) essential oils – lavender, rosemary, or eucalyptus for fragrance
• Optional: natural colorants or additives – such as dried lavender buds or oatmeal

Equipment

• Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and long sleeves to protect from lye
• Digital kitchen scale – for precise measurements
• Large heatproof mixing bowls – preferably stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic
• Stick blender – to blend oils and lye mixture efficiently
• Soap mold – silicone or wooden lined with freezer paper
• Thermometer – to monitor temperature of oils and lye solution
• Spoons and spatulas – for mixing
• Measuring cups – for water and oils
• Vinegar – for neutralizing any lye spills

Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace and safety gear. Ensure the area is well-ventilated. Put on gloves, goggles, and protective clothing before starting as lye is caustic and requires careful handling.
2. Measure the distilled water into a heatproof container. Slowly add the sodium hydroxide (lye) to the water—not the other way around—to avoid a dangerous reaction. Stir carefully until the lye dissolves completely. The mixture will heat up rapidly. Set aside in a safe place to cool to around 110°F (43°C).
3. Measure and combine the olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil in a separate large pot. Warm gently on low heat until the coconut oil melts and the mixture reaches about 110°F (43°C), matching the temperature of the lye solution.
4. Slowly and carefully pour the cooled lye solution into the oils. Use your stick blender to mix the solution. Alternate blending and stirring until the soap reaches a light to medium trace (it will thicken and leave a trail when drizzled over the surface).
5. Add your optional essential oils or additives. Stir gently but thoroughly to incorporate them evenly into the soap batter.
6. Pour the soap batter into the prepared mold. Tap the mold gently to remove air bubbles and smooth the surface with a spatula.
7. Cover the mold with a towel or plastic wrap to insulate the soap and allow it to go through the gel phase. Let the soap sit undisturbed for 24-48 hours until it hardens.
8. Remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars. Place the bars on a drying rack or parchment paper in a cool, dry area with good airflow.
9. Cure the soap bars for 4-6 weeks. This curing process allows excess water to evaporate and the soap to fully saponify, resulting in a harder, longer-lasting bar.
10. Once cured, your Bastille soap is ready to use. Store bars in a dry place between uses to prolong their lifespan.

Tips & Variations

Tip: Always add lye to water, not water to lye, to prevent dangerous splashes and reactions.

Variation: For a more moisturizing bar, increase olive oil slightly but reduce coconut oil to maintain balance.

Tip: Use silicone molds for easy removal or line wooden molds with freezer paper to avoid sticking.

Variation: Add natural exfoliants such as ground oatmeal or dried herbs for a gentle scrub effect.

Tip: Experiment with essential oil blends like lavender and rosemary for a calming scent or eucalyptus and peppermint for a refreshing aroma.

Nutrition Facts

Note: Unlike food recipes, soap ingredients are not ingested and thus do not provide nutritional energy or calories. However, the oils used contribute skin-nourishing benefits.

Serving Suggestions

Bastille soap makes a wonderful gift for friends and family who appreciate natural skincare. Wrap bars in rustic paper or tie with twine and a sprig of dried lavender for an elegant presentation.

You can also cut the soap into smaller pieces and create gift sets, pairing them with other handmade products like bath salts or scrubs.

For personal use, place a bar in your bathroom or kitchen soap dish to enjoy its gentle lather and subtle scent daily. Many users find that the moisturizing qualities help relieve dry or irritated skin, making it ideal for winter months or after sun exposure.

If you love DIY projects or want to explore more natural recipes, check out some of our other favorite recipes like Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping, Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious, and Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious for healthy and delicious meal ideas.

Conclusion

Making Bastille soap at home is a rewarding and creative experience that results in a luxurious, skin-loving product. This recipe combines the moisturizing benefits of olive oil with cleansing coconut and castor oils to produce a gentle, nourishing soap suitable for all skin types.

By crafting your own soap, you gain control over the ingredients, ensuring a natural and chemical-free product that’s perfect for sensitive skin or those looking to live more sustainably.

Whether you are making soap for yourself, as gifts, or even for a small business, this Bastille soap recipe offers a perfect balance of tradition and simplicity. With patience and care during the curing process, you’ll enjoy beautiful, long-lasting bars that cleanse and hydrate with every use.

Try adding your favorite essential oils or natural additives to personalize your creation and elevate your skincare routine.

Ready to dive deeper into homemade recipes? Explore our collection of natural and healthy recipes, and keep experimenting with new flavors and ideas to enrich your lifestyle!

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