🧴 Choosing the Right Oils and Butters for Soap Making | Part 2 of Our Soap Making Series

Welcome back! In Part 1, we talked about what makes natural soap so special and how simple ingredients can transform into something truly beautiful.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most important parts of soap making — choosing your oils and butters. Each one brings something different to your soap, from a rich creamy lather to a harder, longer-lasting bar. Getting to know these ingredients is like getting to know your recipe — each plays its part to make the final bar just right.

🌿 Why Oils and Butters Matter

When oils and butters react with lye, they create the building blocks of your soap.

-Hard oils (like coconut oil, palm oil, or cocoa butter) help your soap last longer and lather nicely.
-Soft oils (like olive, sunflower, or sweet almond) make soap gentle and moisturizing.
Finding the right balance is what gives each bar its personality — whether it’s silky and soft or bubbly and cleansing.

🥥 Common Soap Making Oils and Their Benefits

Olive Oil: A classic choice that creates a mild, moisturizing bar. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and perfect in nearly every recipe.

Coconut Oil: Great for a bubbly, cleansing lather. Use in moderation if you have dry skin, as it can be a bit strong on its own.

Shea Butter: Adds creaminess and helps lock in moisture. Shea gives your bar a luxurious, skin-loving touch.

Castor Oil: A small amount boosts bubbles and helps stabilize lather. It’s often used alongside other oils for balance.

Cocoa Butter: Makes a firm bar with a smooth feel and creamy bubbles. A wonderful option for nourishing dry skin.

Avocado Oil: Packed with vitamins A, D, and E, this oil brings extra nourishment and a silky texture to your soap.

🧼 Creating Your Perfect Blend

Most soap makers use a mix of three to five oils to get the right combination of hardness, lather, and conditioning. Think of it like baking — too much of one ingredient, and the texture changes completely.

You can also experiment with specialty oils or butters like mango, hemp, or apricot kernel to give your soap a unique twist.

💚 A Note on Quality

Whenever possible, choose unrefined, cold-pressed, high quality oils and butters. They retain more nutrients and create a richer, more natural soap — something both your skin and the planet will appreciate.

🌸 Coming Next Week

In Part 3, we’ll have some fun with the creative side of soap making — adding scent and color! We’ll talk about how to safely use essential oils, blend fragrances, and use natural colorants like clays and botanicals to make each bar one-of-a-kind.

Until then, if you’d rather skip the measuring and mixing, explore our ready-made collection of handcrafted soaps — each bar thoughtfully blended with the perfect mix of oils and butters.

👉 Shop Natural Soaps at Fosters Fields

From my home to yours, happy soap making!

Carrie

Join us on socials to follow along on our journey, where I share my products and also the ups and downs that go along with Fosters Fields!

https://linktr.ee/fostersfields