There is something incredibly satisfying about crafting your own skincare, and this lavender oatmeal soap is one of my absolute favorite projects. It’s a simple recipe that feels wonderfully luxurious. The gentle, creamy lather, the rustic texture from the oats, and the calming scent of lavender that fills the shower—it’s a small, handcrafted piece of tranquility. This melt-and-pour recipe is perfect for beginners, so you don’t have to worry about handling lye. It’s a foolproof way to create beautiful, skin-loving soap bars for yourself or to give as thoughtful, handmade gifts.
Why Craft This Soothing Lavender Oatmeal Soap?
For me, making this soap is a little act of self-care. It’s a creative outlet that results in something both beautiful and practical. The combination of ingredients is what makes it truly special. Oatmeal is a classic skincare hero, known for its ability to gently exfoliate and soothe irritated or sensitive skin. It buffs away dullness without being harsh, leaving your skin feeling soft and renewed.
Then there’s the lavender. The moment you add the essential oil to the warm soap base, the most incredible, calming aroma blossoms. Lavender is celebrated for its relaxing properties, making this soap perfect for a peaceful evening bath or a calming start to your day. Creating these bars isn’t just about the end product; it’s about the soothing process itself. Plus, the finished bars have a gorgeous, rustic look that you just can’t find in store-bought soap.
Everything You Need for Your Homemade Soap
Before we dive in, let’s gather our tools and ingredients. The great news is that you don’t need a lot of specialized equipment for this melt-and-pour project. You likely have most of what you need right in your kitchen. You’ll want a large, heat-resistant container like a big glass measuring cup for melting the soap base, a simple kitchen knife and cutting board, a silicone spatula for stirring, and a soap mold. I highly recommend a silicone mold because it makes popping the finished bars out an absolute breeze.
The Essential Base and Exfoliants
These are the core components that give our soap its signature character and skin-loving properties.
- 1 lb (16 oz) Shea Butter or Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base
- 2 tablespoons finely ground rolled oats or colloidal oatmeal
- 1.5 teaspoons lavender essential oil
I absolutely adore using a Goat’s Milk base for its rich, creamy lather, but a Shea Butter base is also wonderfully moisturizing. For the oats, it’s really important that they are finely ground. You can buy colloidal oatmeal, which is super fine, or just pulse regular rolled oats in a coffee grinder or blender until they have a powdery consistency. Whole oats can be a bit too scratchy on the skin.
Optional Touches for Color and Aroma
These little extras are what take your soap from simple to stunning. They are completely optional, but I think they add a beautiful, professional touch.
- 1/2 teaspoon purple mica powder (optional, for color)
- 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds (optional, for decoration)
A touch of purple mica powder gives the soap a lovely lavender hue that complements the scent perfectly. And sprinkling dried lavender buds on top makes the bars look so rustic and beautiful. One tip I learned the hard way: it’s best to only sprinkle the buds on top. If you mix them into the soap, they can sometimes turn a brownish color as they sit in the base, which isn’t quite the look we’re going for!
Bringing Your Lavender Soap to Life: A Walkthrough
Alright, this is where the magic happens! The process is quick, fun, and incredibly rewarding. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have beautiful bars of soap setting on your counter in no time.
The Secret to a Perfect, Lump-Free Melt
The foundation of a great melt-and-pour soap is, well, the melt! Getting this part right ensures a smooth, uniform base for all your wonderful additions.
- Prep Your Base: First things first, take your soap base and chop it into small, roughly 1-inch cubes. Trust me on this—uniform, small pieces are the key to a fast and even melt, preventing hot spots and overheating. Place all the cubes into your large, microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup.
- Melt with Care: Pop the container into the microwave and heat it in 30-second bursts. After each interval, take it out and give it a good stir with your silicone spatula. The key here is patience. It might seem slow, but this prevents the base from boiling, which can give it a rubbery texture. Continue until the base is completely melted and liquid-smooth. If you prefer, a double boiler on the stovetop over low heat works beautifully too.
- Mix and Mingle: Once your base is perfectly melted, remove it from the heat. Let it cool for just a minute or two. This is an important little step because if the base is scorching hot, some of the lovely lavender essential oil aroma can evaporate away. Now, gently stir in your ground oats, lavender essential oil, and the purple mica powder if you’re using it. Stir slowly but thoroughly until everything is beautifully combined and the color is consistent. You’ll notice the aroma instantly—it’s divine!
Pouring and Finishing for a Professional Look
With your soap base mixed, you’re just a few steps away from the finished product. This is my favorite part, where you see it all come together.
- The Perfect Pour: Carefully and steadily pour the soap mixture into your silicone mold. Try to pour from a low height to minimize the creation of air bubbles.
- Add the Finishing Touches: If you’re using the dried lavender buds, now is the time to sprinkle them over the top of the soap in each mold. They will settle lightly into the surface as the soap begins to set.
- Banish the Bubbles: Notice any tiny air bubbles on the surface? Here’s my favorite soap-making trick: grab a small spray bottle filled with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and give the surface a light spritz. It works like magic, instantly popping the bubbles and leaving you with a perfectly smooth, professional-looking top.
- Let It Set: Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Let your soap cool and harden at room temperature for at least 4 to 6 hours. I usually just leave mine overnight to be sure it’s completely firm. Avoid the temptation to put it in the fridge or freezer, as this can cause the soap to sweat or become brittle.
- Unmold and Admire: Once the bars are completely hard to the touch, it’s time for the big reveal. Gently peel back the sides of the silicone mold and pop out your beautiful, handcrafted soap bars. They are ready to use right away!
Beyond the Basics: Creative Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered this basic recipe, feel free to get creative! That’s the beauty of DIY. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried and loved:
- Calming Chamomile: Add a half-teaspoon of chamomile essential oil along with the lavender for an ultra-soothing, sleepy-time blend.
- Add a Touch of Honey: Stir in a teaspoon of raw honey into the melted base for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties. It also adds a lovely, warm scent.
- Switch Up the Base: Try a clear glycerin base for a translucent, gemstone-like appearance, or an olive oil base for an incredibly gentle bar.
- Different Exfoliants: Swap some of the oatmeal for a tablespoon of poppy seeds or finely ground coffee for a different texture and exfoliating experience.
How to Store Your Handcrafted Soap Bars
Proper storage is key to keeping your beautiful soap bars fresh. Melt-and-pour soap bases contain glycerin, which is fantastic for your skin because it draws in moisture. However, this also means it can draw moisture from the air, causing the soap to “sweat” or develop little beads of moisture on the surface. To prevent this, it’s best to wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap or shrink wrap as soon as it has fully hardened. Store your wrapped bars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause the colors and scents to fade over time. Stored this way, your soap will be perfect for months to come.
Your Soap-Making Questions, Answered
Here are answers to some common questions you might have as you get started on your soap-making journey.
Can I use whole rolled oats instead of ground ones?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Whole rolled oats can be quite large and abrasive on the skin. For a gentle, soothing exfoliation, you really want a fine, powdery texture. You can easily make your own by pulsing rolled oats in a clean coffee grinder or a high-powered blender for a few seconds.
My soap base got too hot and started to boil. Can I still use it?
If it boiled, the final texture of your soap might be a little rubbery or less creamy, but it should still be perfectly usable, especially for a personal batch. To avoid this next time, stick to short, 30-second intervals in the microwave and stir thoroughly between each one.
Why are there bubbles on my finished soap?
Bubbles are totally normal! They are just tiny pockets of air that get trapped when you stir and pour the soap base. They are purely cosmetic and don’t affect the quality of the soap. If you want a perfectly smooth top, the spritz of isopropyl alcohol is the best way to get rid of them right after you pour.
Can I use fragrance oil instead of essential oil?
Absolutely! The main difference is that essential oils are derived from plants and offer potential aromatherapy benefits, while fragrance oils are synthetically created for scent. If you choose to use a fragrance oil, just make sure it is specifically formulated to be skin-safe and soap-safe.
How long will my homemade soap last?
When stored properly (wrapped and in a cool, dry place), your handcrafted soap should last for at least a year. The scent from the essential oils may gradually fade over a long period, but the soap itself will still be effective and lovely to use.
Lavender Oatmeal Soap
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare: Cut the melt and pour soap base into 1-inch cubes. This allows for quick and even melting. Place the cubes into your heat-resistant container.
- Melt: Heat the soap base in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until fully melted and smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler over low heat. Avoid overheating, as this can compromise the quality of the soap.
- Combine: Once melted, remove the soap base from the heat. Allow it to cool for a minute. Add the ground oats, lavender essential oil, and mica powder (if using). Stir gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Pour: Carefully pour the soap mixture into the soap mold.
- Finish: If using, immediately sprinkle the dried lavender buds over the top of the soap. To eliminate surface bubbles, lightly spritz the top with isopropyl alcohol.
- Set: Allow the soap to cool and harden completely at room temperature for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight. Do not place it in the freezer.
- Unmold: Once the soap is completely firm, gently remove the bars from the mold. The soap is ready for immediate use.
- Yield: Approximately 4 (4 oz) bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Calories: N/A (Not for consumption)
