Vegan soap making is all about creating cruelty-free, plant-based soaps without any animal-derived ingredients. Whether you’re crafting soaps for personal use, gifts, or selling them, going vegan ensures your products are ethical, sustainable, and friendly to all skin types.
What Makes a Soap Vegan?
A vegan soap avoids all animal-derived ingredients. Common ingredients to avoid include:
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Tallow or lard (animal fats)
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Goat milk or cow milk
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Honey
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Beeswax
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Lanolin (from sheep’s wool)
Instead, vegan soaps rely on plant-based oils, butters, and additives.
Common Vegan Soap Ingredients
Oils & Butters
These are the base of vegan soaps:
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Coconut oil (cleansing, bubbly)
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Olive oil (gentle, moisturizing)
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Palm oil (hardness, longevity — make sure it’s sustainable)
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Shea butter (moisturizing)
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Cocoa butter (luxurious, creamy lather)
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Avocado oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil (extra nourishment)
Liquid Bases
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Water (most common)
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Plant milks (soy, almond, oat, coconut milk)
Additives & Extras
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Essential oils for fragrance (lavender, peppermint, citrus)
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Natural colorants (turmeric, spirulina, activated charcoal, clays)
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Botanicals (dried flowers, herbs, oats)
Vegan Soap Making Methods
1. Cold Process
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Mix lye with water (or plant milk) and combine with oils.
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Add vegan additives, colorants, and essential oils.
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Pour into molds and allow 24–48 hours to harden.
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Cure for 4–6 weeks before use.
2. Hot Process
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Similar to cold process but uses heat to speed up saponification.
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Soap is ready to use faster (after a few days of cooling).
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Still fully vegan if only plant-based oils and additives are used.
3. Melt-and-Pour
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Uses a pre-made vegan soap base.
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Melt, add colors, fragrances, and botanicals, then pour into molds.
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No lye handling required, beginner-friendly, and fully customizable.
Tips for Making Vegan Soap
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Check all ingredients: Even fragrances or colorants may be animal-derived.
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Sustainability matters: If using palm oil, choose RSPO-certified sustainable sources.
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Label your products: Clearly mark them as vegan if selling.
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Experiment with plant milks: Coconut, oat, soy, and almond milk add moisturizing benefits and creaminess.
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Use natural preservatives: If your soap has liquid plant milks, consider adding a natural preservative like vitamin E to extend shelf life.
Why Vegan Soap Is Popular
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Ethical: No animals are harmed.
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Skin-friendly: Free from animal fats that can irritate sensitive skin.
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Eco-friendly: Often uses sustainable plant oils.
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Customizable: Wide variety of plant-based additives, colors, and scents.
Final Thoughts
Vegan soap making is an accessible, sustainable, and fun way to create your own cruelty-free products. Whether you’re experimenting with cold process, hot process, or melt-and-pour methods, choosing plant-based ingredients allows you to craft soaps that are kind to both the skin and the planet.