10 Main Ingredients for Making Soap

Making soap at home should be on your bucket list if you are a fan of DIY projects. Although it may seem complicated, you can easily make soap with simple steps and readily available soap making supplies wholesale. Here is a list of 10 components to get started:

1. Lye (Sodium Hydroxide)

Sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye, reacts with oils and fats, turning them into soap. To use it, mix it with water to make a lye solution. Then combine the solution with fats and oils in your recipe to make soap.

You should handle lye carefully, as it can be dangerous and caustic. As a safety precaution, always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling lye, and use it in a well-ventilated room.

2. Fat or Oil 

Depending on your preferences, you can use various oils when making soap, including olive, coconut, palm, or cocoa butter. The oils act as the base of your soap, giving it moisturizing properties that benefit the skin.

The type of fat or oil you use determines the properties of the soap. Coconut oils give the soap its lather-producing properties, while olive oil gives it moisturizing properties. You can use a single oil or combine several when making your soap.

3. Essential Oils

Essential oils give soap fragrance and other skin benefits, including:

• Promoting relaxation
• Soothing irritated skin
• Fighting bacteria and other microorganisms

You should add the essential oils when the soap mixture thickens, adding as much or as little as you want. The amount of essential oils you use depends on the oil’s usage rate. Be sure to check the usage rate before adding it to your soap.

4. Herbs or Botanicals

Herbs and botanicals add color and exfoliating properties to soap. They are also effective in soothing skin and providing antioxidative effects. You should add them in the trace stages of making soap.

Some herbs and botanicals you can use in your soap include rosemary, lavender, chamomile, and calendula. You can get these soap making supplies wholesale, but remember to confirm the specific usage depending on which one you choose.

5. Honey

Honey is a natural humectant that helps the skin retain its moisture. It also has antibacterial properties that help keep the skin clean and clear.

Add it to your soap mixture after combining the lye and the oils and the mixture thickens. While you can use any type, raw honey is the best, as it has the most benefits.

6. Milk 

Milk is rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, Vitamin D, and lactic acid, which acts as a skin exfoliator. For the best results when using milk in your soap, use fresh or powdered instead of canned milk. Add the milk before the oils to prevent the milk from scorching.

7. Clay 

Clay is rich in silica, a natural mineral that may help improve the skin’s elasticity and strengthen the connective tissues. In addition, clay gives the soap a slippery texture that makes it easier to use.

There are different types of clay that you can use when making soap, including bentonite, French green, and kaolin clay. Each has unique properties, so research the specific properties of the clay before choosing. After the lye and oils, you should add your clay of choice as the mixture starts to thicken.

8. Charcoal 

Activated charcoal in your soap is a natural detoxifying agent for drawing impurities and toxins from the skin. It’s also helpful in removing dead skin cells. Add the charcoal after lye and oils, when the mixture starts thickening.

9. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil is a natural antioxidant that nourishes and protects the skin. Like most other ingredients in this list, add it after lye and oils, when the mixture starts thickening.

10. Salt

You can include salt in your soap as an exfoliant and soap hardener. It’s also helpful in improving lathering and making it more moisturizing. Be aware of the amount you add, as too much can make the soap too hard or too drying.

Get Soap Making Supplies Wholesale

The ingredients you choose depend on the specific properties and benefits you want the soap to have. Familiarize yourself with the properties of each ingredient before adding it to your soap. Use the right amount for your recipe to make a high-quality soap.

If you plan to start making soap at home, shop soap making supplies wholesale. Wholesale ingredients can make it easy to stock everything you need for your DIY soap-making projects.