All homemade soaps are made from the same basic things: lye, water and oils. The differences between soaps come from your decision as to what oils you will use to combine with the lye and water. The hardness or softness, lathering properties and moisturizing properties are all determined by which oils are used in the process of homemade soap making.
Animal Fat-based Soaps
The most basic and cheapest homemade natural soaps are made from rendered animal fat mixed with lye and water. These soaps are hard, last a long time and are not considered very high in quality. They clog pores and are regarded as low quality soaps.
Vegetable-based Soaps
Vegetable-based soaps are more popular because most vegetable oils produce excellent lather while still moisturizing the skin. Today olive, coconut, avocado, palm and almond oil are extremely popular vegetable-based oils used to make higher quality soaps.
Sensitive skin responds best to soaps made with olive oil, palm oil and beeswax. Oily skin responds best to coconut oil and avocado oil. Dry skin responds best to hemp oil, shea butter or cocoa butter because these soaps are moisturizing. They are especially great body moisturizers, since many times the body dries out more so than the face, needing extra moisture. These soaps are wonderful for the winter months when the dry air sucks the moisture from your skin.
Glycerin Soaps
Most homemade soaps contain some sort of glycerin, since the glycerin formed by the cold process method is not removed like it sometimes is with commercial soap. However, when people talk about glycerin soap, they typically mean transparent or semi-transparent soap with extra glycerin added to it. Glycerin soaps draw moisture to the skin, which is why it is referred to as a humectant. It's great for dry skin or sensitive skin on the face because it brings the needed moisture to the skin without causing the skin to overproduce oil and therefore clog pores. Add alcohol, glycerin and sugar to homemade cold process soap for extra clarity.
Milk-based Soaps
Milk-based soaps use milk instead of water and are regarded as the creamiest soaps available. Because the milk makes the soap more likely to boil over and burn, it is a little tougher to make (especially if you are determined to keep a creamy color - a toffee color happens if the milk-based soap mixture overheats) and is considered a delicacy. These soaps are perfect for sensitive skin and can be made scented or unscented, appealing to those who have allergies to other soaps.
 | If you want your melt and pour soap to be more than just pretty to look at it, choose a quality soap base and be willing to experiment until you get your soap making right. |
 | If you'd like to learn how to make oatmeal soap, you can do so by following these simple instructions. |
 | Soap making history goes back many millennia. There's debate about who invented soap, but the first evidence has been linked to Mesopotamian civilization. |
Humans have been working with lye for millennia, so it obviously doesn't kill everybody who touches it. But it can. |
Liquid soap is easy to make and requires few special ingredients. Experiment with essential oils to produce scents you like. |
