Coconut oil has become a staple ingredient in the soapmaking community, and for good reason. This versatile oil creates hard, white bars with exceptional cleansing properties and a luxuriously fluffy lather that's gentle on the skin. When used in cold process soap recipes, coconut oil can comprise up to 33% of your formulation, making it an essential component for both beginners and experienced crafters alike.
We've been making our 100% organic coconut oil soap bars with virgin coconut oil for over twenty years. We choose the highest grade coconut oil and use it in all of our products. You can just as easily make these soap bars with a refined coconut oil and save a little bit of money and still get amazing soap bars.
Benefits of Coconut Oil Soap
Coconut oil soap offers unique advantages compared to soaps made with other oils. Its pure and natural composition makes it perfect for everyday use, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies to fragrances and essential oils. Unlike most oils used in soapmaking, coconut oil creates exceptionally hard bars even with a high superfat percentage of 20%.
The practical benefits of coconut oil soap include:
- Quick tracing time - No stick blender or immersion blender needed during the mixing process
- Cost-effectiveness - Depending on your region, coconut oil can be an economical choice for soapmaking
- Excellent cleansing properties - Removes dirt and oil effectively without stripping the skin
- Abundant lather - Creates rich, fluffy bubbles even in hard water conditions
- Simple formulation - Perfect for beginners learning the soapmaking process
For those concerned about skin sensitivity, the high superfat percentage (20%) ensures the soap remains gentle despite coconut oil's strong cleansing properties. This balance creates a bar that's both effective and suitable for regular use.
When making coconut oil soap, it's important to use the right type of coconut oil. Regular solid coconut oil works best, rather than virgin or fractionated varieties. Virgin coconut oil loses its pleasant scent during saponification, making it better suited for food or skincare products. Fractionated coconut oil (liquid at room temperature) has different properties and saponification values that won't work in this application.
While coconut oil soap has numerous benefits, its quick tracing time makes it less suitable for creating swirled designs. However, it works perfectly with simple one-color natural soap colorants for those who want to add visual interest to their bars.
Can I make soap with just coconut oil?
Yes, you can make excellent soap using 100% coconut oil. Pure coconut oil soap creates hard, white bars with abundant lather and superior cleansing properties. The secret to success with this single-oil soap is using a high superfat percentage of 20%. Our pure unscented coconut soap bars are made with nothing but coconut oil
The 20% Superfat Factor
A 20% superfat is essential for 100% coconut oil soap. This high superfat percentage counterbalances coconut oil's strong cleansing properties, ensuring your soap remains gentle on skin. Some soapmakers use superfats up to 30%, but 20% provides an optimal balance between cleansing power and skin conditioning.
Required Ingredients for 100% Coconut Oil Soap
Making pure coconut oil soap requires just a few basic ingredients:
- 33 oz coconut oil (76 degree)
- 4.83 ounces lye (NaOH)
- 12.54 oz water
- 5-1 ounce essential oils (optional)
Important Considerations
Regular solid coconut oil works best for this recipe. Avoid using virgin coconut oil for soapmaking since its pleasant scent doesn't survive the saponification process—save your premium virgin coconut oil for food or skincare applications. Similarly, don't substitute fractionated coconut oil (liquid at room temperature) as it has different properties and saponification values than solid coconut oil.
The finished soap creates a dense lather when applied directly to skin. For a lighter, bubblier effect, use a natural sponge to create lather instead of rubbing the bar directly on your body.
Benefits of Single-Oil Coconut Soap
Pure coconut oil soap offers several advantages:
- Simplicity: Perfect for beginners with its straightforward formulation
- Cost-effectiveness: Requires only one oil, minimizing ingredients
- Long shelf life: Stays stable for up to 18 months when properly stored
- Quick tracing: Speeds up the soapmaking process
- Excellent cleansing: Removes dirt and oils effectively
- Abundant lather: Produces rich, creamy bubbles even in hard water
When properly superfatted, this simple soap provides excellent cleansing without stripping skin, making it suitable for daily use and various skin types.
Best Coconut Oil to Use in Soap
Refined coconut oil stands as the ideal choice for soapmaking due to its consistency, affordability, and performance characteristics. This type of coconut oil creates hard, white soap bars with excellent lathering properties without the premium price of virgin varieties.
Why Refined Coconut Oil Works Best
Refined coconut oil offers several advantages for soap crafters. It's less expensive than virgin coconut oil, making it cost-effective for larger batches. The refining process removes impurities while maintaining the beneficial fatty acid profile that creates abundant, cleansing lather in the finished soap.
Types of Coconut Oil to Avoid
Virgin coconut oil isn't recommended for soapmaking despite its quality. The delicate coconut scent completely disappears during saponification, wasting its premium attributes and higher price point. This variety is better reserved for food applications or direct skincare products where its natural properties can be fully appreciated.
Fractionated coconut oil (liquid at room temperature) should never be used in soap recipes calling for regular coconut oil. It has different properties and a completely different saponification value, which would throw off your entire formulation and potentially create unsafe soap.
Sourcing Your Coconut Oil
Food-grade refined coconut oil works perfectly for soapmaking. Many soapmakers buy it in bulk from restaurant supply stores or online suppliers to reduce costs. When purchasing, look for:
- 76°F melting point (standard refined coconut oil)
- White, solid appearance at room temperature
- No added fragrances or additives
- 18-month shelf life from manufacture date
Using the right type of coconut oil ensures your 100% coconut oil soap will have the proper hardness, cleansing ability, and abundant lather that makes this simple soap recipe so effective and gentle when made with the recommended 20% superfat.
Best Essential Oil Scents for Coconut Oil Soap
Coconut oil soap's neutral white base creates the perfect canvas for adding aromatic essential oils. While coconut oil itself doesn't retain its natural scent through the saponification process, you can enhance your handmade soap with carefully selected fragrances that complement its properties.
Tropical Blends
Tropical essential oil combinations pair naturally with coconut oil soap, creating an island-inspired bathing experience. Consider these tropical options:
- Lemongrass and lime - Creates a refreshing citrus blend that evokes tropical destinations
- Sweet orange and ylang-ylang - Combines bright citrus with exotic floral notes
- Bergamot and vanilla - Offers a sweet yet sophisticated tropical aroma
- Grapefruit and mint - Delivers an invigorating, vacation-inspired scent profile
Floral Options
Floral essential oils add elegance to coconut oil soap's creamy lather. These botanical scents blend beautifully with coconut's neutral base:
- Lavender - Provides classic relaxation benefits with its calming properties
- Geranium - Offers a rose-like fragrance with balancing aromatherapy effects
- Jasmine - Creates a luxurious, rich floral experience
- Chamomile - Adds a gentle, soothing quality perfect for sensitive skin formulations
Woodsy and Earthy Scents
Woodsy essential oils create sophisticated, grounding aromas that contrast nicely with coconut oil's light properties:
- Cedarwood - Imparts a warm, dry woody scent with subtle hints of sweetness
- Sandalwood - Delivers rich, creamy woodsy notes that complement coconut oil's texture
- Vetiver - Adds deep, smoky earthiness for complex aromatic profiles
- Patchouli - Creates a distinctive earthy quality popular in natural products
Important Scenting Tips
Coconut oil soap traces quickly, requiring specific techniques for successful scenting. Follow these guidelines for optimal results:
- Add essential oils at light trace to allow proper incorporation
- Use 0.5-0.7 ounces of essential oil per pound of coconut oil for appropriate scent strength
- Test small batches first, as some essential oils can accelerate trace even further
- Consider using a combination of slow-moving and fast-moving essential oils to balance the overall effect
While coconut essential oil doesn't exist naturally, coconut fragrance oils are available if you prefer a coconut scent. However, these synthetic options aren't suitable for those seeking all-natural soap formulations. For humid environments, avoid using desiccated coconut as decoration as it can spoil in high moisture conditions.
Coconut Oil Soap Recipe (Cold Process)
This cold-process soap recipe creates hard, white bars using just three simple ingredients: coconut oil, lye, and distilled water. With a 20% superfat and 30.5% lye solution, these bars offer fluffy lather while maintaining gentle cleansing properties.
Equipment
To make coconut oil soap safely, you'll need proper equipment:
- Digital scale that measures in grams
- Stainless steel pot for melting the coconut oil
- Heat-resistant glass or plastic containers for the lye solution
- Silicone spatula and stick blender
- Soap mold (wooden, silicone, or plastic)
- Thermometer for monitoring temperatures
- Safety gear: goggles, gloves, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes
- Towels for insulating the soap during saponification
- pH strips or phenolphthalein drops (optional, for testing)
Materials
For a 16 oz (454 g/1 lb) batch of 100% coconut oil soap, you'll need:
- 16 oz (454 g) refined coconut oil
- 2.1 oz (59.5 g) sodium hydroxide (lye)
- 4.8 oz (136 g) distilled water
- Essential oils (optional): 0.5-0.75 oz (14-21 g)
- Natural colorants (optional): 1-2 teaspoons clay or 1 tablespoon botanical powders
Lye Solution
The lye solution requires careful preparation for safety and successful saponification:
- Measure 4.8 oz (136 g) of distilled water in a heat-resistant container
- In a well-ventilated area, slowly add 2.1 oz (59.5 g) sodium hydroxide to the water
- Never add water to lye as this causes dangerous reactions
- Stir gently with a stainless steel spoon until completely dissolved
- The solution will heat up to approximately 200°F (93°C)
- Allow the solution to cool to 100-110°F (38-43°C) before using
Solid oils
- Measure 16 oz (454 g) of refined coconut oil in a stainless steel pot
- Melt the oil gently over low heat until completely liquid
- Allow to cool to 100-110°F (38-43°C)
- Solid oil preparation is simpler with single-oil recipes as there's no need to calculate proper ratios
- Regular refined coconut oil with a 76°F melting point creates optimal hardness in the final bars
Instructions
Coconut oil soap stands as a testament to simplicity and effectiveness in natural skincare. Crafted with refined coconut oil at a 20% superfat ratio, these bars deliver exceptional cleansing power while remaining gentle enough for daily use. We've seen how this versatile oil creates hard, white bars with abundant lather that works wonderfully with a natural sponge.
Whether you're crafting a simple unscented bar or exploring tropical essential oil blends, the process remains straightforward and rewarding. Remember to use food-grade refined coconut oil for best results and always prioritize safety when working with lye.
By mastering this basic formula, you'll unlock endless possibilities for customization while enjoying the benefits of a truly natural cleansing experience that's kind to both your skin and your budget.
If making your own soap bars at home is out of the question, our 100% organic and all-natural coconut soap bars are available for purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes coconut oil popular for soapmaking?
Coconut oil produces hard, white bars with excellent cleansing properties and fluffy lather that's gentle on the skin. It can make up to 33% of soap formulations and is ideal for both beginners and experienced soap crafters. It creates a perfect balance between hardness and gentleness, especially when using a 20% superfat ratio, and is cost-effective for larger batches.
Can I make soap with 100% coconut oil?
Yes, you can make excellent soap using 100% coconut oil. The key is using a high superfat percentage of 20% to balance the strong cleansing properties and ensure gentleness on the skin. This creates a bar that is both effective and mild. The recipe requires just basic ingredients: refined coconut oil, lye, distilled water, and optional essential oils.
What type of coconut oil is best for soapmaking?
Refined coconut oil is ideal for soapmaking due to its consistency, affordability, and performance. It creates hard, white soap bars with excellent lathering properties. Avoid virgin coconut oil (its scent doesn't survive saponification) and fractionated coconut oil (different properties make it unsuitable). Look for food-grade refined coconut oil for optimal results.
What is the recommended coconut oil percentage in soap?
Coconut oil can make up to 33% of most soap formulations. For 100% coconut oil soap, a 20% superfat ratio is crucial to balance cleansing power with gentleness. Some soapmakers use 15% superfat successfully. The ideal percentage depends on your specific recipe and desired properties. Experimenting with different ratios will help you find your preferred balance.
Does coconut oil soap have a coconut scent?
No, the natural coconut scent doesn't carry through the soapmaking process. The saponification process eliminates the subtle fragrance of the oil. If you want a coconut scent, you'll need to add coconut fragrance oil specifically designed for soapmaking. However, natural essential oils like lemongrass, lime, lavender, or cedarwood also work beautifully with coconut oil soap.
What are the benefits of coconut oil soap?
Coconut oil soap offers quick tracing time, cost-effectiveness, excellent cleansing properties, and abundant lather. It's ideal for everyday use, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies. The bars are hard, white, and long-lasting. With a 20% superfat ratio, they clean effectively while remaining gentle on the skin, creating a good balance for all skin types.
How should I use coconut oil soap?
For optimal use, use a natural sponge or washcloth to create lather instead of applying the soap directly to your skin. This helps distribute the soap evenly and creates a rich, creamy lather. Coconut oil soap works particularly well for body washing and is excellent for removing dirt and oils. Rinse thoroughly after use.
What essential oils work best with coconut oil soap?
Tropical scents like lemongrass and lime complement coconut oil soap perfectly. Floral options such as lavender and jasmine add a sophisticated touch. Woodsy scents including cedarwood and sandalwood provide warmth and depth. Add essential oils at light trace during the soapmaking process, starting with small test batches to find your preferred combination.
Can I use virgin or fractionated coconut oil for soapmaking?
No, neither virgin nor fractionated coconut oil is recommended for soapmaking. Virgin coconut oil's delicate scent doesn't survive the saponification process, making the extra cost unjustified. Fractionated coconut oil has different properties than regular coconut oil and won't produce the desired hardness or lather. Stick with refined coconut oil for best results.
What equipment do I need for making coconut oil soap?
You'll need a digital scale, stainless steel pot, thermometer, immersion blender, silicone molds, safety gear (goggles and gloves), and containers for measuring lye and water. Basic tools like spatulas and mixing spoons are also necessary. Safety equipment is particularly important when working with lye, which is caustic before it saponifies with the oils.
