Homemade Men’s Soap {Cold Process Recipe}
With this recipe for men’s soap, you can create a luxurious bar of soap that will leave your skin feeling super clean and lasts long in the shower.
The beeswax helps the bar stay hard, while the coconut oil provides a good lather and helps the soap last long. This is one of my most deep-cleaning cold-process soap recipes. The color and fragrance are ones that men love, but of course, you can choose any kind you like.
Men’s Soap Recipe
Equipment
- Safety gear (gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves)
- digital scale (I use this every single day)
Ingredients
- 9 ounces water
- 3.75 ounces lye
- 9 ounces coconut oil
- 9 ounces palm oil
- 8 ounces olive oil
- 2 ounces beeswax
- 2 tablespoons Cavalier fragrance oil
- 1 teaspoon green mica
Instructions
- Measure the lye and water in separate containers. Mix carefully, adding the lye to the water, and stir until dissolved. Set aside in a safe place.
- Measure the oils and beeswax and melt over low heat until completely melted and heated to 140 degrees. The beeswax will take a while to melt. Set aside to cool. Prepare your soap mold and any color or fragrance you are using.
- When the oils and water have cooled to about 120 degrees, pour the lye wsater into the melted oils and blend using a stick blender. Mix until "trace" is achieved, or the soap thickens slightly and a trail of soap rests on top of the batter rather than immediately sinking in.
- Add fragrance and color if desired. Add desired fragrance or color, stirring in by hand. If you continue to stick the blend here, the mixture can seize up.
- Pour into a soap mold, gently smoothing out the top. Place at room temperature to cure.
- Unmold and cut. Un-mold after 24 hours, cut into bars, and allow to cure for 2 weeks before using.
Notes
All-natural ingredients can make you feel confident about what you’re using on your skin. This deep cleansing experience leaves skin feeling super clean and hydrated. It can be customized with different colors or fragrances to suit any man’s preference. This long-lasting bar of soap will last through multiple showers and baths.
What You’ll Need for This Soap Recipe for Men
Here’s a look at a few of the most important items:
- Lye. This is a caustic substance essential for soap-making. Handle it with care and ensure you use gloves and eye protection.
- Cavalier fragrance oil. This specific fragrance oil gives the soap a masculine scent that many men prefer. It’s an optional addition but enhances the soap’s appeal.
- Beeswax. Beeswax helps the soap bar stay hard and last longer in the shower. It can be found in the craft section of stores or online.
- Green mica. This ingredient adds color to the soap. Mica powders are available in craft stores and online and provide a natural coloring option.
- Stick blender. A stick blender is used to mix the soap batter to the right consistency. It’s more efficient than hand mixing and ensures a smooth blend.
Using these tools and ingredients will help you create a high-quality, long-lasting bar of soap that’s perfect for everyday use.
Using a digital scale, measure the lye and water in separate containers and measure the oils and beeswax.
FAQs
Yes, but with the understanding that you are now creating your custom soap recipe and need to be comfortable using a lye calculator. I have a video on how to do that here. Otherwise, you’ll need to follow the recipe as written.
Yes, you can use essential oils as a natural alternative to fragrance oils. Just be sure to check usage rates to avoid skin irritation.
Use a digital scale. It’s 100% essential. Do not eyeball it or attempt to use measuring cups.
Yes, you will need a soap mold to make soap bars. You can find all kinds of molds online or at craft stores. A simple loaf-style mold is the easiest for beginners, but there are many different options available.
There’s no “official” difference, but women often prefer a more moisturizing and bubbly bar. And of course, they will have different color and fragrance preferences.
Cold-process soap is made by mixing oils and a lye solution (sodium hydroxide and distilled water) and allowing the soap to cure over time. Hot process soap involves cooking the soap mixture, which speeds up the saponification process.
Soda ash forms when unsaponified lye reacts with carbon dioxide in the air. Covering your soap with freezer paper and placing it in a warm area can help prevent this.
Substitutions and Alternatives
- Oil Substitutions: If you don’t have olive oil, sunflower oil or castor oil can be good alternatives. Remember to use a soap calculator to adjust the recipe correctly.
- Mold Alternatives: If you don’t have a silicone mold, a lined cardboard box can work in a pinch. Just make sure to use freezer paper to line it.
Enhancements and Decorations
- Adding Texture: You can add poppy seeds or flower petals to your soap for added texture and visual appeal.
- Customizing Fragrance: Essential oil blends can be customized to create a scent that suits your personal preference. Just add them at light trace.
Making your cold process soap is a rewarding and enjoyable activity. With natural ingredients and patience, you can create a high-quality bar perfect for everyday use or as a thoughtful gift. Follow the steps carefully, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different oils and fragrances to find your favorite combination. Happy soap-making!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.