Soap Recipe for Beginners

Soap Recipe for Beginners

On the internet you can get hundreds of soap recipes with a few clicks, but sometimes a simple, foolproof soap recipe for beginners can be hard to find.

A basic soap recipe for beginners should contain no fragrance or color additives. For your first batch, stick with one that has no more than 3 or 4 oils, lye and water.

All the recipes below are well suited for beginners. Just make sure to follow standard soap making instructions and safety guidelines.

Soap recipes for beginners

Basic Cold Process Recipe

This is a great soap recipe for beginners because it will harden relatively fast and have good lather right off.

Basic Cold Process Recipe II

This is an easy, mild olive oil soap, also good for beginners. This recipe makes 8 pounds of soap.

  • 24 oz. olive oil
  • 24 oz. coconut oil
  • 38 oz. vegetable shortening (Crisco)
  • 12 oz. lye
  • 32 oz. distilled water
  • 3-4 oz. essential oil of your choice (optional)

Basic Moisturizing Soap

This lovely combination of gentle oils will make a mild soap that leaves your skin smooth and soft.

  • 24 oz. Distilled Water
  • 9 oz. Sodium Hydroxide
  • 20 oz. Palm Oil
  • 17 oz. Coconut Oil
  • 16 oz. Safflower Oil
  • 8 oz. Olive Oil
  • 3 oz. Sweet Almond Oil




Don't know where to start? (Soapmaking for beginners)

If you're new to soapmaking, I highly recommend "Natural Soapmaking" by Jan Berry. It's perfect for beginners. I wish I'd read it before my first batch! She manages to be thorough and yet keep it simple and to the point.

These are some of the things you'll learn:

  • the basics of cold process soap making
  • what terms like “gel phase” and “trace” really mean
  • how to color soaps naturally with botanicals and clays
  • all about adding beneficial herbs and flowers to your soaps
  • how to use a lye calculator (it's not as hard as it seems, promise!)

And for those who feel they need some extra hand-holding, her complete package also includes access to her popular soapmaking video course to help you level up your soapmaking skills.

Interested? Click here to learn more.

Want to make your soap, but don't know where to start?

If you never made soap before, I high recommend Jan Berry's "Natural Soap Making" eBook Collection. It's great for beginners, filled with guides and helpful insight, handy printables, and tons of natural soap recipes.

Show Me More

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Do you want to make your own soap, but don't know where to start?

It's not as hard as it seems! Check out this post for easy to follow instructions that will show you everything you need to know to whip up your first batch.

Show Me More

You have Successfully Subscribed!