Coconut is one of the most popular choices in soap making as it has far reaching benefits as it is a moisturizing agent and makes the soap making process easier and faster. I’m assuming here that you already have a basic understanding of the soap-making process, so be sure to read up on that as well if you must.
So why is the coconut so widespread? Coconut oil is included in almost every soap recipe because it has a strong bubbly lather even in hard water, moisturizes well, reaches trace faster, and creates a hard, white bar. It is also anti-inflammatory and the resulting soap can be used to combat skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc.
When you go shopping, be sure to choose the one that says 76 proof coconut oil. This is the one most commonly used for soap making and to which the instructions here will apply. 92 degree oil is also used to make soap and makes a harder, less foamy bar.
Prescriptions
Because it’s such a common ingredient, you’ll find it in almost every recipe. You can also create your own recipes using an online lye calculator.
Here are things to look out for when using coconut oil:
1. If the recipe includes more than 30% of the oil, the soap could have a stronger drying effect on the skin than usual
2. But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making a 100% coconut oil soap, then you should oil 15-20% lye.
Here is a balanced soap recipe using coconut oil:
- 8 ounces of olive oil
- 8 ounces of coconut oil
- 8 oz rendered tall
- 100 grams of pure lye
- 9 fluid ounces of water
And in case you want to try the 100% coconut oil soap:
- 16 ounces of coconut oil
- 2.5 oz lye (15% superfat)
- 5 ounces of water
The rest of the process works just like making any type of soap, but the first recipe is a good place to start learning and practicing.
Be aware that bleach is a strong caustic and can burn your skin. Be sure to wear the proper protective gear at all times when working with bleach, and take the time to read up on safety procedures. This is the hardest part of learning how to make coconut soap, the rest is pretty easy.
