Exfoliating soap is one of the most popular handmade soap products—and for good reason. A well-made exfoliating soap bar gently removes dead skin cells, improves circulation, and leaves skin feeling smoother and refreshed. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced soap maker, learning how to properly add exfoliants can take your soap from ordinary to unforgettable.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best exfoliating soap tutorial, covering cold process, melt and pour, and even exfoliating liquid soap. You’ll also learn how to make exfoliating soap with coffee grounds, how to avoid common mistakes, and how exfoliating soap compares to a traditional exfoliating scrub.
What Is an Exfoliating Soap Bar?
An exfoliating soap bar is a bar of soap that contains small particles—called exfoliants—that help physically remove dead skin cells. Unlike plain soap, exfoliating soap provides gentle abrasion while cleansing, making it ideal for rough areas like hands, feet, elbows, and knees.
Homemade exfoliating soap allows you to control how gentle or scrubby the bar is by adjusting the type and amount of exfoliant you use.
Common Exfoliants Used in Soap Making
Soap makers use both natural and synthetic exfoliants, but natural options are especially popular in handmade soap. Coffee grounds, oatmeal, sugar, salt, poppy seeds, and clay are all commonly used. Each exfoliant provides a different level of scrubbiness, so choosing the right one matters depending on how the soap will be used.
For daily body use, gentle exfoliants are best. For kitchen or mechanic-style soaps, stronger exfoliation works well.
How to Make Exfoliating Soap with Coffee Grounds (Cold Process)
One of the most requested methods is how to make exfoliating soap with coffee grounds. Coffee soap is popular because it deodorizes hands, provides medium exfoliation, and looks beautiful.
To make this type of homemade exfoliating soap, you’ll follow a standard cold process soap recipe. Once your soap reaches light trace, you’ll stir in used, dried coffee grounds. Used grounds are gentler than fresh grounds and are recommended for skin safety. A good starting amount is one to two teaspoons of grounds per pound of soap oils.
After mixing thoroughly, pour the soap into your mold and allow it to harden for 24–48 hours before cutting. Cure the bars for four to six weeks before use.
Adding Exfoliants to Melt and Pour Soap
Adding exfoliants to melt and pour soap is one of the easiest ways to make exfoliating soap, especially for beginners. Melt and pour soap bases are pre-saponified, so you don’t work with lye.
To add exfoliants, melt the soap base gently, let it cool slightly, then stir in your exfoliant just before pouring. Stir slowly to avoid bubbles and to keep exfoliants evenly suspended. If the exfoliant sinks, allow the soap to cool a bit more before pouring.
This method is ideal for quick projects, gifts, and small batches.
Homemade Exfoliating Soap vs Exfoliating Liquid Soap
While exfoliating soap bars are the most common, exfoliating liquid soap is also an option. Exfoliating liquid soap uses very fine exfoliants, such as jojoba beads or ultra-fine pumice, to prevent clogging pumps or irritating the skin.
Liquid exfoliating soaps are popular for hand soaps and body washes, but they require careful formulation. Bars are generally easier for beginners and offer better exfoliation without preservatives.
How Exfoliating Soap Differs from an Exfoliating Scrub
Many people ask how to make exfoliating scrub and how it differs from exfoliating soap. The key difference is that soap cleans and exfoliates at the same time, while scrubs exfoliate without cleansing.
Scrubs are oil-based and often contain sugar or salt, while exfoliating soap bars contain lathering ingredients and smaller exfoliant particles. Soap is better for daily or frequent use, while scrubs are best used once or twice a week.
Tips for Making the Best Exfoliating Soap
Using too much exfoliant can make soap harsh and unpleasant. Start small and test your bars before increasing amounts. Always match the exfoliant to the soap’s purpose—gentle for body, stronger for hands or feet.
Finely ground exfoliants are safer for skin. Avoid sharp or uneven particles, and always label exfoliating soap clearly so users know it’s not a regular smooth bar.
Exfoliating Soap Tutorial PDF Option
Many soap makers choose to turn their tutorials into an exfoliating soap tutorial PDF for easy reference or customer education. A printable PDF version is ideal for workshops, digital products, or beginner guides and adds professional value to your soap-making brand.
Conclusion
Learning how to make exfoliating soap opens the door to some of the most popular and versatile handmade soap products. From coffee-infused bars to melt and pour creations and even exfoliating liquid soap, the possibilities are endless. With the right exfoliants and techniques, homemade exfoliating soap can be both gentle and effective.
Whether you’re crafting for personal use or building a business, mastering exfoliating soap is a skill worth having.