Oils and butters *for soap making

To make our soap and skincare products we will be using all natural oils and butters. Next you can find the list of the products I will be using and what are the advantages for your skin.

*EDITED since I have been working on emulsions and creams I have learnt a lot about oils and butters and the way they influcence our skin products. This list below is only for soap making and I will make a different post for the role of oils and butters in creams and lotions and how to choose them).

Here I leave you a guide of the most common oils in soap making. If you’re looking for something that is not in this list I recommend you to visit BrambleBerry where you can find a complete list and also buy the necessary products (located in the USA).

With each oil you can find the specification on shelf life and the maximum percentage to be used in the cold process of soap making.

Argan Oil (shelf life of 2 years) – 10% It’s a great oil for hair products, but it’s also very nice on the skin.

Avocado Oil (shelf life of 1 year) – 20% Oil full of vitamins that is a great addition to other skin products apart of soap.

Beeswax (White & Yellow) (shelf life of 3 years) – 8% Great addition to obtain hard bars but it’s a bit difficult to use since the lye solution has to be at about 65 degrees or the wax will not stay melted. Trace should be quite fast with this wax.

Castor Oil (shelf life of 2 years) – Ideal quantity 2-5% But it can be added up to 35% This is another popular oil among soap makers, It’s fantastic to draw moisture to the skin.

Cocoa Butter (shelf life of 2 years) – 15% This butter adds a luxury feeling to the final bar.

Coconut Oil (shelf life of 2 years) – up to 33% but about 15% is the recommended amount Very common in the production of cosmetics because of its cleansing properties, which means that a high amount can cause dry skin. It’s a nice addition to soap since it creates bubbles.

Jojoba Oil (shelf life of 2 years) – 10% Typical choice among soap makers, helps the soap with its durability and stability.

Mango Butter (shelf life of 2 years) – 15% It’s a lovely butter that melt at the touch with the skin.

Olive Oil (ideally Pomace) (shelf life of 2 years) – 100% It’s the base of most soaps. Creates a creamy soap that is highly moisturizer.

Palm Oil (shelf life of 1 year) – 33% Good oil to combine with coconut oil. Some people prefer to avoid palm oil if it’s not clear where it comes from.

Shea Butter (shelf life of 2 years) – 15% This is a typical addition to make a soap bar have a luxurious feeling. It also helps to the structure of the bar.

Sunflower Oil (shelf life of 6 months) – 20%, but it’s possible to use up to 100% Good conditioner for the skin and a much cheaper option when combining oils. It can leave an oily trace on the skin so it’s not a favorite. The final bar may need to be conserved in the refrigerator.

Sweet Almond Oil (shelf life of 1 year) – 20% This is a great addition to any soap. It’s great for the skin!