If soap making is an art, essential oils for soap making are the colours for the artist. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a small business owner who loves to create natural handmade soaps for the purpose of gifting, you definitely need essential oils in your DIY kit. Essential oils are a better alternative to synthetic fragrance oils for soap making, as they don’t just add natural aroma but also the goodness of natural herbs to your DIY soaps. If your soaps also lose their scent or smell medicinal after the process of curing, this blog is for you. Today we are going to discuss in detail the top 10 essential oils for soap making. We are going to provide you with detailed information about which essential oil is suitable for which kind of soap. So without further ado, let’s get started!
SIVA Approved Top 10 Essential Oils for Soap Making
We at SIVA, produce a wide range of essential oils, so that our customers can pick and choose as per their unique needs. When it comes to essential oils for soap making, we offer a wide range of oils not in just small bottles but also in big 16 fl sizes. Below we have given a small yet detailed list of 10 essential oils you can choose from when you are making a soap at home. Feel free to mix and experiment with two and more essential oils.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
You would be lying if you said that you weren’t familiar with the soothing and floral aroma of lavender. Lavender essential oil has literally become an essential ingredient in many products like room freshener, perfume, body butter and face oils.
Lavender essential oil has a very mild, calming aroma and skin nourishing properties that makes it perfect for your DIY soap recipes. Lavender oil can sustain the tiresome soap curing process and still smell oh so divine every time. Lavender oil based soaps make the perfect gift for holiday, valentines and homecoming occasions.
2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Making soaps for summer? Eucalyptus essential oil has got your back. The fresh, green aroma and icy cooling feel makes it the perfect essential oil for soap making, especially for the summer season. Eucalyptus oil has a strong aroma that doesn’t fade away after adding it to the base. After bathing with a eucalyptus essential oil-based soap, it will definitely become your summer must-have for the instant refreshment it provides.
3. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil is known for its refreshing citrusy aroma. When added to melt and pour soap base or cold process base, lemon essential oil provides a refreshing aroma and skin nourishing properties. Lemon essential oil is a good source of vitamin c and antioxidants that are good for our skin. Lemon is one of the best essential oils for soap making because it holds the power to enhance the pH level of the soap. Lemon oil’s slightly acidic nature and soap base’s alkaline properties go well in a DIY soap.
4. Rose Essential Oil
If you are a woman or someone who is making a feminine soap, you can’t miss out on rose essential oil. Rose essential oil has a very delicate floral aroma that smells really great in feminine soaps. Rose essential oil is rich in Geraniol, an antioxidant that is known for its antimicrobial properties. Rose oil doesn’t only enrich your soap with a wonderful fragrance, it also makes it better for your skin and senses.
5. Coffee Essential Oil
For all the coffee lovers out there, coffee based DIY soaps are going to be a literal heaven. Coffee essential oil smells exactly like freshly brewed coffee. When added to the soap base, coffee essential oil will make your soap smell cozy and comforting. You can even enhance the coffee aroma by adding vanilla and cinnamon essential oils. Coffee stands out among the best essential oils for soap making because it is rich in natural antioxidants (like caffeine and polyphenols), which are great for skin-nourishing formulations.
6. Tea Tree Essential Oil
If you want to impart a herbal touch to your soap or are trying to full fill the market demand for herbal soaps, tea tree essential oil should be your first choice as an ingredient. Tea tree essential oil has a green, earth and herbal aroma. It has been widely added in skincare and body care products that are made for acne-prone skin. Tea tree essential oil is rich in antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which makes it a best choice for your DIY soaps.
7. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is not as famous as lavender essential oil but it shares the same aromatic properties and skin nourishing elements. Chamomile is known for being calming and non-irritating, making it ideal for people with sensitive, dry, or inflamed skin. People associate chamomile with calmness, care, and luxury. Using it in your soap instantly gives your product a natural, holistic vibe. Chamomile oil holds up well in soap-making processes and adds both function and fragrance. To enhance your soap’s aesthetic, you can even add dried chamomile flowers to your DIY soap base.
8. Rosemary Essential Oil
Hair soaps are trending nowadays, and for good reasons. People are getting more aware of their consumption habits and its effect on the environment. Consumers are switching to environment friendly options such as hair soap. Hair soaps offer a better alternative to traditional shampoos packaged in plastic bottles.
You can easily make hair soap at home with just a few ingredients. All you need is mild surfactants and nourishing ingredients like rosemary essential oil. Rosemary oil has proven hair care benefits which makes it one of the best essential oil for your DIY hair soap. If you choose to make hair soap at home, it will be good for your hair, environment and your pocket.
9. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil is often referred to as "queen of perfumes" and it is such a justified title. Ylang Ylang has a very sweet, fruity and floral aroma. The fragrance of Ylang Ylang is so mesmerizing that even "Chanel No. 5" uses it as the base note. If you want to create luxurious and richly fragrant soaps, Ylang Ylang oil is going to be the perfect addition. It won't just provide your soap with a luxe aroma, it will also enrich it with elements that are good for the skin. You can add turmeric, pink clay or green matcha to your Ylang Ylang soap base for a natural boost of color. All natural formulations of your soap will become a USP of your soap brand.
10. Sweet orange Essential Oil
Sweet orange essential oil smells like sunshine in a bottle. DIYers love adding Sweet orange oil to their soaps for its sweet, tangy and citrusy aroma. If you are making an energizing morning soap, sweet orange essential oils are going to be your best bet. Sweet orange oil holds its aroma in both cold process and melt-and-pour soap bases. You can add exfoliants like orange peel powder or poppy seeds in your soap base to make it even better for your skin. If you are a small business owner, opt for colors like yellow, white, or orange to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your sweet orange soaps.
Final Thoughts
Soap making is an art and you can be that artist who can monetize their skill and passion. In the market filled with synthetic soaps that are loaded with artificial colors and fragrances, your DIY natural soap can bring a refreshing change. You can opt for environment friendly packaging and ingredients making sustainability your unique selling point. Your customer will get attracted to your approach and try your soaps but they will stick around for the awesome formulations you will provide. We recommend trying and testing with different essential oils and having a diversity in your collection to target every unique need.
All set to make DIY soaps at home? A best-selling soap can only be made with the best essential oil. The aroma you choose can make or break the customer’s first impression. Choose SIVA for highly fragrant, vegan and natural essential oils that stand true to your values. We only use natural ingredients that are ethically sourced for your daily and commercial needs. Explore our collection here and turn your soap-making passion into a rewarding income stream: https://sivaorganics.com/