Cold process soap is good for your skin in many ways, providing natural benefits that help keep skin healthier. Unlike commercial soaps, which often contain harsh chemicals and detergents, cold process soaps are handcrafted using simple, natural ingredients. The basic recipe includes sodium hydroxide (lye), distilled water, oils (fats), and sometimes essential oils or botanical ingredients for added skincare benefits.

Why Handmade Soaps Are Good for Your Skin

One of the biggest benefits of handmade cold process soap is its non-stripping and non-drying properties. Commercial soaps often contain detergents that remove sebum, the natural oil produced by your skin. Without sebum, your skin becomes dry, irritated, and more susceptible to environmental damage.

Sebum helps retain moisture and protects against bacteria and infections. By using natural handmade soap, you allow your skin to maintain its moisture barrier while still achieving a deep, refreshing cleanse.

10 Benefits of Cold Process Soap

🌸 Non-drying formula
🌸 Won’t strip sebum oil
🌸 Made with all-natural or organic ingredients
🌸 Contains the best oils and essential oils
🌸 Uses pure colorants and clays
🌸 Infused with natural herbs for a botanical experience
🌸 Includes moisturizing milk options like goat milk, buttermilk, and coconut milk
🌸 Specifically formulated for dry or sensitive skin
🌸 Vegan and CBD options available
🌸 Luxurious, spa-like aromatherapy experience

The Best Oils for Cold Process Soap

The choice of oils in cold process soap makes a significant difference in how the soap cleanses and nourishes your skin. The best oil for cold process soap is olive oil, which creates a gentle, moisturizing bar known as Castile soap. Other high-quality oils used in cold process soap include:

• Coconut oil – Provides cleansing power and lather, but can be drying if used in excess.
• Palm oil (sustainably sourced) – Contributes to a harder bar of soap.
• Rice bran oil – Adds conditioning properties.
• Sweet almond oil – Gentle and moisturizing for sensitive skin.
• Avocado oil – Rich in vitamins A, D, and E for deep hydration.
• Sunflower oil – A light, non-greasy moisturizer.
• Hemp seed oil – Great for acne-prone and dry skin.
• Castor oil – Enhances lather and soothes irritation.

These oils create a well-balanced bar that cleans without drying, making handmade soap ideal for everyday use.

Lavender and Oatmeal Soaps: Gentle and Nourishing Choices

Lavender Soap

Lavender is one of the most popular cold process soap choices due to its calming scent and gentle properties. Lavender essential oil provides natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it perfect for sensitive skin. It helps reduce redness, irritation, and promotes relaxation with its soothing aroma.

For those looking to craft their own lavender soap, using high-quality Pure Lavender Essential Oil is essential → Shop Here.  Affiliate link

Oatmeal Soap

Oatmeal soap is another excellent choice for dry and sensitive skin. Finely ground oats act as a mild exfoliant while also soothing itchy, irritated skin. Oatmeal is naturally rich in beta-glucans, which help lock in moisture and provide deep hydration.

For an added nourishing touch, incorporating Powdered Milk from Hoosier Hill Farm enhances the moisturizing benefits of oatmeal soap → Get It Here. Affiliate link

What We Use Here at Vermont Lavender

Ingredients we use are naturally sourced from our lavender garden, otherwise the ingredients are sourced from reputable suppliers. We use only cosmetic FD&C approved ingredients and adhere to the IFRA guideline when making our skincare products.

Resources and Guidelines

Here is a guide to the FDA cosmetic guidelines: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-regulations/cosmetics-labeling-guide

Here is the link to IFRA International Fragrance Association https://ifrafragrance.org/about-ifra/ifra-code-of-practice

Natural Colorants and Clays

Unlike synthetic dyes, the colorants used in cold process soap are derived from natural sources and must be FD&C approved for skincare use. Some of the most common natural colorants include:

• French green clay – Detoxifies and tones the skin.
• Rose clay – Gentle exfoliation for sensitive skin.
• Activated charcoal – Deep-cleansing and oil-absorbing.
• Mica powders – Provide vibrant, shimmery hues.
• Oxides and pigments – Natural minerals safe for skincare use
  

These natural ingredients not only provide beautiful colors but also add therapeutic properties to the soap, improving overall skin health.

Herbs and Botanicals in Cold Process Soap

Adding herbs to soap enhances both the aesthetic and skincare benefits. Some of the best botanicals used in cold process soap include:

• Lavender, calendula, hibiscus, and rose petals – Provide a luxurious, spa-like experience.
• Jasmine and blue cornflower – Add gentle exfoliation and skin-calming properties.
• Mint, nettle, yarrow, carrot, spinach, and beetroot powder – Provide natural color and additional skin benefits.
  

These botanicals connect the skincare routine to nature, making each bar of soap a delightful self-care experience.

Watch the Playlist on my channel YouTube HERE

The Benefits of Milk Soaps

Milk soaps are particularly beneficial for people with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. Goat milk soap  is one of the best options because it contains:

• Natural minerals and vitamins – Essential for skin nourishment.
• High-fat content – Moisturizes deeply and prevents dryness.
• Lactic acid – Gently exfoliates, promoting cell turnover for softer skin.
  

Other milk varieties used in cold process soap include buttermilk and coconut milk, both of which contribute to a creamy, hydrating lather.

Questions

If a handmade soap does dry out the skin there may be a few factors that may attribute to this.

1.      Coconut oil can feel dry to the skin, or the person is allergic to it. Especially those with eczema may find coconut oil irritating to the skin.

2.      It’s lye heavy. When the cold process soap is made and cured correctly after the saponification process the soap no longer contains lye. 

What about the white ash on top of my soap bar? Is this cold process soap good for my skin?

 It’s called soda ash.

1.      When soap is too cold after the soap is poured into the mold and then insulated to complete the saponification process soda ash may form.

2.      Soda ash occurs on soap due to the natural process of unsaponified lye reacting with carbon dioxide in the air. A natural harmless reaction when making cold process soap.

3.      Soaps with this left on top are used for an aesthetic looking artisan soap look and feel.

Explore More on Our Blog:

• 10 Dry Skin Care Routine Steps | Daily Skin Care at Home
• How to Have Less Dry Skin With Long Lasting Benefits
• Roses Skin Loving Benefits | German Chamomile | Carrot Seed | Argan Oil

Shop My Skincare Favorites ✨

• White Kaolin Clay Powder → Get It Here
• Mica Powder: Marblers Cosmetic Grade → Check It Out
• Dried Lavender Flowers for Soap Making → Shop Now
• Pure Vitamin E Oil Bulk - D Alpha Tocopherol 100% Pure → Shop Here

Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me and my small business! Your contributions help keep my passion for natural skincare, lavender, and creativity thriving. I only recommend products I trust and love. Thanks for being part of my journey!

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