25 Creative handmade soap recipes you can make with easy step-by-step tutorials. This list includes a variety of soap bars, fun shapes, and unique ways to blend fragrances in soap recipes.
I discovered melt and pour soapmaking about a decade ago and it’s been one of my favorite hobbies. It simplifies the soapmaking process without the need for lye using a soap base.
Goat’s milk soap base and shea soap base are the best melt and pour soap bases I’ve enjoyed working with. To customize your own soap scents, simply melt the soap base and add your favorite fragrance or essential oil.
Using a soap mold can be helpful in making even portions and skip the soap cutting step. A rectangular mold works well, but feel free to get creative with fun shapes using silicone molds.
This post includes affiliate links to my favorite soapmaking supplies.
Soap Making Supplies
- Melt and pour soap base
- Melting pot
- Soap Mold Bars or Rectangular Loaf Mold
- Essential oils
- Dried fruit or dried flowers
- Cosmetic Mica pigments
How to make melt and pour soap
- Cut the soap base into cubes and melt. Goat’s milk soap base is a great moisturizing option.
- Remove from heat once the soap is melted and stir in essential oils or fragrance oil.
- Add in dried flowers, pigment dyes, or biodegradable cosmetic glitter.
- Pour into the soap mold.
- Remove the soap from the mold once it has set over a few hours.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Decorate the soap bars by wrapping them in paper and twine or ribbon to give as a gift.
Handmade Soap Recipes
Soapmaking can be easy with this LEMON SOAP RECIPE made with goat’s milk soap base, dried lemon peel, and lemon essential oil. This handmade soap is a wonderful gift idea for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or for a garden-themed basket for a friend.
Exfoliate and soothe dry skin with this DIY Lavender Loofah soap bar made with lavender essential oil.
Honey Oatmeal Soap – honeycomb-shaped soap made with oatmeal honey, and vanilla. This soap would make a lovely gift idea for a bee-themed gift basket.
Lavender Lemon Soap – two-toned soap bars with a lemon essential oil layer and a purple lavender essential oil layer.
A daisy soap bar with yellow pigment makes a lovely gift for Mother’s Day or for a sweet friend. Try this Vanilla Chamomile Soap recipe made with soothing chamomile essential oils.
This Lavender Chamomile Tea Soap is soothing with its calming scents that help promote sleep and is made with fresh tea bags.
Rose Loofah Soap – exfoliate dry skin with this easy melt and pour soap made with a loofah sponge inside. Scented with rose oil, this soap makes a great gift for Mother’s Day.
My go-to handmade holiday gift idea to make every year is Peppermint Soap. This easy soap recipe is made with peppermint essential oil and swirled with red pigment.
A calming Lavender Soap always makes a sweet gift idea for a relaxation-themed gift basket.
For the coffee lover, this simple Vanilla Latte Soap recipe is made with coffee grounds.
Celebrate a birthday with this DIY Birthday Cake Soap by Studio DIY.
Pink and blue swirled Cotton Candy Soap bars by Soap Queen.
Layers of ocean waves and sandy beach make this Ocean Soap by Soap Queen a fantastic soap idea to try.
Fruit Scented Soaps
Add a fun summer-themed soap to your sink with this DIYÂ Watermelon Soap. This soap is made with a green, white, and red soap layer. The red soap layer has poppyseeds that resemble watermelon seeds.
Enjoy the benefits of Himalayan salt in this 3-ingredient Himalayan salt soap bar stamped with decorative designs. Recipe and tutorial for the Pink Himalayan Soap by A Pumpkin & A Princess.
Combine the benefits of honey and invigorating lemon essential oil in this DIY Honey Lemon Soap.
Easy Soap Making Ideas for Kids
Create an under-the-sea Ocean Toy Soap bar with this easy recipe for kids. Bonus: gift this handmade soap bar with ocean toys inside as party favors for a Finding Nemo, Shark, Mermaid, or ocean-themed party.
Miniature Bunny Soaps made with melt and pour goat’s milk soap base and mica pigments.
Kids will love washing their hands with this Lego Soap by Our Kid Things. This is a great Lego party favor idea!
Creative and Fun Soap Ideas
Create a colorful soap bar with gold stars using this Unicorn Soap tutorial by A Kailo Chic Life.
Want to try a new twist on soapmaking? This tutorial for Dragon Fruit Soap Popsicles by A Beautiful Mess is a fun way to switch things up.
Gift small Conversation Heart Soap bars to someone special in your life or add them to a mason jar to decorate your sink area for Valentine’s Day.
This Succulent Terrarium Soap by Dream a Little Bigger is so fun! This crafty soap idea is great for a plant lover or gardener.