Hey friend! So, you’ve been thinking about making your own soap—awesome choice. Honestly, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of lathering up with a soap bar you made yourself, and when it smells like lavender? Chef’s kiss. I’ve been dabbling in DIY soaps for a while, and trust me, once you try these, store-bought bars feel… well, kind of boring.
Today, I’m spilling the tea on 8 DIY lavender soap bars using natural ingredients. I’ll walk you through each recipe, sprinkle in my personal tips, and keep things super casual—like we’re sitting on the couch swapping secrets. Ready? Let’s go!
Why Lavender Soap Rocks
Before we jump into the recipes, let’s chat about why lavender soap is a total game-changer.
Relaxation boost: Lavender isn’t just a pretty smell. It helps reduce stress and can even improve sleep. Seriously, try a lavender bar before bed—you’ll thank me later.
Gentle on skin: Unlike harsh chemical soaps, natural lavender soap is soothing and works on sensitive skin.
Antimicrobial perks: Lavender naturally helps fight bacteria. Yes, your soap can be relaxing and hygienic.
DIY satisfaction: There’s nothing like holding a bar you made with your own two hands. Call it therapeutic, call it ego-boosting… I won’t judge.
Ever wondered why homemade soap just feels better? That’s because you control the ingredients. No mystery chemicals, no random additives—just good, clean vibes.
1. Classic Cold-Process Lavender Soap
Ingredients You’ll Need
16 oz olive oil (super moisturizing)
8 oz coconut oil (for fluffy lather)
6 oz shea butter (softens skin)
6 oz distilled water
4.5 oz lye (yes, sodium hydroxide—handle carefully!)
1 oz lavender essential oil
2 tbsp dried lavender buds
Quick Steps
Mix water and lye carefully—safety first, gloves on!
Melt oils together, then let them cool to ~100°F.
Slowly add the lye solution to oils while stirring.
Blend until it reaches a light pudding texture (trace).
Stir in lavender essential oil and buds.
Pour into molds, cover, and let it cure 24–48 hours.
Unmold and let it sit for 4–6 weeks to harden.
Pro tip: Cold-process soaps are long-term projects, but the payoff is worth it. The bars are hard, long-lasting, and oh-so-luxurious.
2. Melt-and-Pour Lavender Soap
Not into the chemical drama of lye? No worries, friend—melt-and-pour soap has your back.
Ingredients
1 lb melt-and-pour soap base (go natural, like goat milk or glycerin)
1–2 tsp lavender essential oil
1 tbsp dried lavender buds
Soap mold
Steps
Cut soap base into cubes and melt in a double boiler.
Remove from heat, stir in essential oil and lavender buds.
Pour into molds. Let it set for 2–4 hours.
Why I love this method: It’s fast, forgiving, and perfect for beginners. Plus, you can whip up multiple bars in one afternoon. FYI, this one won’t last as long as cold-process soap but smells divine immediately.
3. Vegan Lavender Soap
Looking for 100% plant-based goodness? This one’s for you.
Ingredients
10 oz coconut oil
10 oz olive oil
5 oz cocoa butter
5 oz castor oil
4 oz lye
10 oz distilled water
1–2 oz lavender essential oil
Method
Basically, follow the cold-process method, but replace any animal-derived ingredients with plant-based oils. Castor oil gives a creamy lather, cocoa butter keeps skin soft, and lavender essential oil is the cherry on top.
My take: IMO, vegan soaps feel lighter on skin. If you’re eco-conscious or just curious about plant-only skincare, this is your go-to.
4. Lavender and Honey Soap
Want something extra soothing? Add honey. Trust me, your skin will feel like a million bucks.
Ingredients
16 oz olive oil
8 oz coconut oil
6 oz shea butter
4 oz honey
4 oz lye
8 oz distilled water
1 oz lavender essential oil
Steps
Prepare the cold-process soap base (same as classic).
Add honey after reaching trace to avoid overheating.
Mix in lavender essential oil.
Pour, mold, and cure for 4–6 weeks.
Fun fact: Honey is naturally antibacterial and locks in moisture. Your skin will be thanking you every wash.
5. Lavender and Oatmeal Exfoliating Soap
If you want scrubby goodness, oatmeal is your best friend.
Ingredients
12 oz olive oil
8 oz coconut oil
4 oz shea butter
4 oz lye
10 oz distilled water
1 oz lavender essential oil
3 tbsp ground oatmeal
Steps
Follow the cold-process soap base instructions.
Add oatmeal at trace stage.
Stir in lavender essential oil.
Pour into molds and let cure 4–6 weeks.
Why I love this one: It’s gentle enough for daily use but exfoliates just enough to keep skin smooth. Think of it as a spa day in a bar.
6. Lavender and Goat Milk Soap
Goat milk + lavender = skincare dream team.
Ingredients
16 oz goat milk
12 oz olive oil
6 oz coconut oil
4 oz shea butter
4 oz lye
1 oz lavender essential oil
Steps
Freeze goat milk into cubes (keeps lye from overheating).
Slowly add lye to frozen milk.
Mix oils, then combine with milk/lye solution at trace.
Add essential oil, pour into molds, cure 4–6 weeks.
Personal anecdote: I was skeptical at first, but the bars smell heavenly and feel ultra creamy. My skin felt silky, not greasy—exactly what I want from a moisturizing bar.
7. Lavender and Charcoal Detox Soap
Want something that cleans deep but smells fab? Activated charcoal is your hero.
Ingredients
12 oz olive oil
8 oz coconut oil
4 oz shea butter
4 oz lye
10 oz distilled water
1 tsp activated charcoal
1 oz lavender essential oil
Steps
Prepare cold-process soap base.
Add charcoal powder at trace stage.
Stir in lavender essential oil.
Pour into molds, cure 4–6 weeks.
Why I like it: It pulls out impurities, smells amazing, and still keeps skin soft. Perfect for oily skin types or post-gym showers.
8. Lavender and Coconut Cream Soap
This one’s ultra-luxurious and smells like a tropical dream.
Ingredients
16 oz coconut cream
12 oz olive oil
6 oz coconut oil
4 oz lye
1 oz lavender essential oil
Optional: dried lavender buds
Steps
Chill coconut cream to avoid lye mishaps.
Combine with oils, then add lye solution at trace.
Mix in essential oil and buds.
Pour, mold, and cure 4–6 weeks.
My take: Coconut cream bars are indulgent. I might be biased, but IMO, this feels like a spa in your shower. Your skin will glow, and your bathroom will smell like heaven.
Bonus Tips for All Lavender Soap Bars
Storage matters: Keep cured bars in a cool, dry place. Moisture is their enemy.
Don’t skip trace: Trace isn’t just a weird term—it’s when your soap is ready to hold its shape. Skip it, and you get a sad, runny mess.
Experiment: Swap oils, add herbs, try colors. It’s DIY; have fun!
Safety first: Gloves, goggles, and careful handling of lye = no accidents.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it—8 DIY lavender soap bars using natural ingredients. From classic cold-process to melt-and-pour, vegan, exfoliating, moisturizing, and detoxifying options, there’s something here for every type of soap enthusiast.
Honestly, making your own soap isn’t just about skincare; it’s a creative outlet, a stress buster, and a little luxury you can hold in your hand. Plus, the scent of lavender? Instant calm.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your oils, butter, lye (carefully!), and lavender buds and start experimenting. Trust me, once you make your first batch, you’ll be hooked—and maybe a little smug when friends ask where you got that heavenly bar.
Happy soap-making, my friend! And remember: lavender makes everything better. Always.
