Basic Soap Bar Recipe Without Palm Oil Vegan Friendly Guide

Creating your own soap bars at home can be a rewarding and fun experience, especially when you want to avoid harsh chemicals and animal-derived ingredients. If you’re looking for a basic soap bar recipe without palm oil that is 100% vegan, you’ve come to the right place!

Palm oil is often used in commercial soaps but is linked to environmental concerns like deforestation, making it a less sustainable choice. This recipe uses all-natural, plant-based oils that nourish your skin and leave you feeling fresh and clean without compromising your values.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced soap maker, this straightforward recipe will guide you through every step. Plus, it’s customizable with your favorite essential oils and additives.

So grab your gear, and let’s make some beautiful, cruelty-free soap bars that are gentle on your skin and the planet!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This soap recipe is perfect for anyone wanting a gentle, moisturizing soap bar without palm oil or animal products. It uses simple, wholesome ingredients that you can easily find online or at natural food stores.

The absence of palm oil means you’re making a more environmentally conscious choice, and the vegan formulation ensures no animal testing or by-products are involved.

Plus, this soap produces a creamy lather and has excellent cleansing properties without drying your skin. It’s a wonderful way to experiment with soap making while caring for your skin and the environment.

For those eager to explore more homemade creations, check out our tasty Grandma’S Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe or our delightful Glazed Twist Donut Recipe.

Ingredients

• 300g Olive Oil – A gentle and moisturizing base oil.
• 200g Coconut Oil – Adds hardness and creamy lather (ensure sustainably sourced).
• 150g Shea Butter – Nourishes and softens skin.
• 100g Castor Oil – Boosts lather and moisturizes.
• 128g Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – Essential for saponification (handle with care).
• 300ml Distilled Water – For dissolving the lye.
• 20-30ml Essential Oils (optional) – For fragrance (lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus work well).
• Natural colorants (optional) – Such as turmeric, spirulina, or activated charcoal.

Equipment

• Digital kitchen scale – For precise measurements.
• Heat-resistant mixing bowls – Preferably glass or stainless steel.
• Stick blender – For quick and even mixing.
• Thermometer – To monitor temperatures of oils and lye solution.
• Soap mold – Silicone molds work best.
• Protective gear – Gloves, goggles, and long sleeves for safety.
• Spatula – For scraping and mixing.
• Measuring spoons – For essential oils and additives.

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Safety Gear: Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes from lye.
2. Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use a digital scale to weigh all your oils, lye, and water precisely.
3. Dissolve the Lye: Slowly add the sodium hydroxide to the distilled water (never the other way around) while stirring gently. The solution will heat up quickly. Set aside to cool to around 40-45°C.
4. Heat the Oils: In a heat-resistant bowl, combine olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and castor oil. Warm gently until fully melted and also around 40-45°C.
5. Combine Lye Solution and Oils: When both the lye solution and oils are at similar temperatures (40-45°C), slowly pour the lye into the oils while mixing with a stick blender.
6. Blend to Trace: Use the stick blender to mix until the soap thickens to a pudding-like consistency called “trace.” This can take 3-10 minutes.
7. Add Essential Oils and Colorants: Stir in your chosen essential oils and any natural colorants carefully, mixing evenly.
8. Pour into Mold: Transfer the soap batter into your soap mold, smoothing the top with a spatula.
9. Insulate and Cure: Cover the mold with a towel and let it sit for 24-48 hours to harden. Once firm, unmold and cut into bars.
10. Cure the Soap Bars: Place the bars on a drying rack in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks to allow complete curing. This ensures the soap is mild and long-lasting.

Tips & Variations

“Always add lye to water, not water to lye, to avoid dangerous reactions.”

For a softer bar, substitute some of the coconut oil with mango butter or sweet almond oil. Add oatmeal or dried lavender buds for exfoliation.

If you prefer a scent-free soap, simply omit essential oils. For a colorful twist, swirl natural colorants into the soap batter before pouring into molds.

Experiment with different essential oil blends like rosemary and mint for an invigorating bar, or chamomile and vanilla for soothing properties. Remember, the quality of your oils directly affects the final soap, so choose organic, cold-pressed oils whenever possible.

Nutrition Facts

Note: While soap is not ingested, these ingredients are safe and skin-friendly when properly cured.

Serving Suggestions

These soap bars make excellent gifts when wrapped in recycled paper tied with twine. Pair them with a homemade lip balm or a natural body scrub for a spa-like gift set.

Keep one by your sink for daily hand washing, or use in the shower for a gentle cleanse.

To keep your soap lasting longer, store it on a well-draining soap dish to prevent sogginess. Rotate bars to allow drying between uses.

For more natural self-care recipes, consider trying our Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe or refreshing Green Goodness Juice Recipe.

Conclusion

Making your own vegan, palm oil-free soap bars at home is a wonderful way to support sustainable living and indulge in a creative, hands-on project. This basic recipe balances cleansing and moisturizing properties while being gentle on the environment and animals.

With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginners can achieve beautiful, skin-loving soap bars that last.

As you get comfortable with this recipe, feel free to customize your soaps with different oils, scents, and textures. Homemade soap also makes thoughtful gifts that friends and family will appreciate.

For more inspiration on handmade and homemade delights, explore our Hamburger Bun Sourdough Recipe or try the indulgent Goat Milk Ice Cream Recipe No Eggs. Happy soap making!

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