This Coconut Shea Butter Soap is simple to make, smells delightful, and delivers a rich, luxurious lather.
After enjoying making DIY beauty scrubs, I decided to try other homemade beauty products. I’d long been curious about soapmaking but assumed it was complicated and messy. The easy solution is a melt-and-pour method.
Melt-and-pour is straightforward: buy a soap base from a craft store or online, melt the cubes in a microwave-safe bowl, stir in fragrance or color, pour into a mold, and let it set. That’s it—handmade soap with minimal fuss.
Anyone can do this. Craft stores offer a variety of melt-and-pour soap bases. I started with a shea butter base because it helps soothe dry winter skin.
Most craft stores also sell concentrated soap fragrances. I chose coconut so each bar smells like a warm, tropical getaway.
If you can’t find a coconut soap fragrance, coconut extract is another option to scent your bars.
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I used a plastic soap mold purchased at a craft store; it had four different shapes. I prefer silicone molds for easier removal and more uniform shapes, and I plan to order one for future batches.
After pouring, let the soap sit at room temperature for about 40 minutes to an hour. I was surprised at how quickly it set.
Plastic molds can be a little tricky to release, but gently pushing from the base usually pops the soap out without damage. Mine came out smoothly after a little practice.
Coconut Shea Butter Soap
What You’ll Need
- 6 cubes Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base (available at craft stores)
- 15 drops Coconut Soap Fragrance (or a suitable alternative)
- 1 soap mold
- Place the shea butter soap base cubes in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 30 seconds, then in additional 10-second bursts until fully melted. Stir between intervals to ensure even melting.
- Stir in coconut soap fragrance, then carefully pour the mixture into the soap mold. Allow it to set for 40 minutes to an hour before unmolding.
- To remove the soap, gently push up from the bottom of the mold until each bar releases.
I used two rows of the melt-and-pour base to produce four soaps. The ingredient amounts below are scaled per bar, so adjust depending on the size of your mold and how many bars you want to make.
If you plan to gift these, wrap them with jute or twine or place them in small mesh bags sold at craft stores. For everyday use, a simple sandwich bag works fine.
The finished bars smell wonderful and produce a creamy, rich lather that leaves skin soft and smooth. I enjoyed this simple project and plan to make more variations. If you try it, I hope you have fun creating your own scented soaps!
Soap Recipes
You might also enjoy other easy melt-and-pour soap ideas:
- Cranberry Vanilla Shea Butter Soap: a lovely seasonal option for gifts.
- Apple Cinnamon Goat’s Milk Soap: warm and cozy, perfect for autumn.
- Lemon Shea Butter Soap: fresh, creamy, and great for soft skin.
Have you ever made your own soap?
Coconut Shea Butter Soap
Ingredients
- 6 cubes Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base
- 15 drops Coconut Soap Fragrance
Instructions
- Place soap base cubes in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, then 10-second bursts until fully melted. Stir between intervals.
- Stir in fragrance, pour into molds, and let set for 40 minutes to an hour.
- Gently push up from the mold base to release the soap.
Equipment
- soap mold
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and should not replace professional advice.