Whipped soaps have been on trend for the past year or so, and it’s easy to see why, with their luscious textures, swirls of bold colour and beautiful scents combining to transform your time spent in the bathroom.

When you add in one or two of your favourite essential oils, you can also give your skin some real VIP treatment.

Here we explain how to make whipped soap, giving you two different methods that are suitable for beginners and more experienced soap makers.

What are the benefits of whipped soap?

The light, soft texture of whipped soap feels luxurious on the skin, and when combined with a blend of essential oils, it can offer a variety of health benefits.

Essential oils are packed with a wide range of vitamins and nutrients that can help to hydrate and nourish your skin. For example, Lavender Essential Oil is incredibly versatile and also antibacterial, which is great for soothing the skin. Rose essential oil is a favourite for many soap makers and is high in vitamins C and E, which are known for their moisturising abilities.

The whipped soap recipe also includes cocoa butter, which is rich in phytochemicals (plant compounds). These are known to boost skin blood flow and protect skin from the signs of ageing caused by harmful UV rays. 

How to make whipped soap

We’ve put together two different recipes and methods you can try for making your whipped soap.

Method 1

Ingredients:

• 400g palm oil (solid)
• 200g coconut oil (solid)
• 95g Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) pearls or beads
• 50g olive oil (pomace, virgin or extra virgin)
• 20ml of essential oils (it can be individual oil or a blend).

Equipment: 

• Stainless steel saucepan
• Kitchen scales
• Electric hand whisk
• Heat-proof measuring jug
• Wooden spoon
• Soap mould
• Safety glasses
• Rubber gloves

Method:

1. Choose a silicone mould or any other piece of plastic kitchenware for your soap.
2. Measure 244g of cold water into a heatproof jug.
3. Cover your mouth using a mask to avoid breathing in the sodium hydroxide.
4. Add 95g of sodium hydroxide beads (or pearls) to the water and mix well using a spoon or spatula. The solution has now become the lye needed to make your soap.
5. This will get extremely hot, so handle with care and leave to cool – it may need to be refrigerated in warm temperatures.
6. Add 200g of coconut oil and 400g of palm oil to a saucepan.
7. Whisk the oils together (preferably using an electric whisk) until you have a light and creamy consistency.
8. Add the lye solution to the whisked oil mixture in a bowl, whilst continuing to whisk.
9. You can now add your essential oils (around 20ml) into the bowl, followed by a suitable soap colour and mix it all together.
10. Once finished mixing, pour the mixture into your mould.
11. As the mix thickens, you can slowly work it a layer at a time to create your desired whip effect.

The mixture can be left to saponify overnight until it is light and solid enough to cut into smaller bars or chunks. You should also leave the soap to cure for 3-4 weeks before it is used.

With regards to the sodium hydroxide, wear gloves, goggles and protection and ensure there is good ventilation. When added in small amounts at low concentration levels it is safe to use, but extreme care must be taken at all times when handling it.

Method 2

Alternatively, you could try this recipe for making your first whipped soap, which uses Polysorbate 80 instead of sodium hydroxide. 

You will need the following ingredients:

• 600g Crystal OPC base
• 6g Polysorbate 80
• 12g Soap dyes
• 18g Essential oils
• 6g Carrier oil

Equipment:

• Weighing scales
• Mixing bowl
• Electric hand or stand mixer
• Jugs
• Large piping nozzle and piping bag
• Spatulas

Method:

1. Place the crystal OPC base and chop into small pieces before placing into a bowl.
2. Whip the base until it produces a creamy consistency.
3. Add your preferred carrier oil, essential oils and polysorbate 60 into the mix.
4. Whip all of the ingredients together in the bowl.
5. Add your chosen soap colourants to the mixture.
6. Lay the mixture into the middle of a section of clingfilm.
7. Fold up the sides of the clingfilm, tying a knot at the top and mould it into an oval shape, squeezing out any air pockets.
8. Roll up the ends and cut off one using scissors before placing it into the piping bag.
9. Pipe the mixture into your soap containers to create a beautiful, whipped soap design.

Unlike the first method, no curing time is needed, so the soap is ready to use right away in the shower, for shaving, or just to pamper yourself in the bathroom. 

Making a whipped soap recipe is not as complicated as it may look, meaning anyone with a little time on their hands can get creative at home. Always take care when handling essential oils due to their high concentration levels (carry out a patch test if you are unsure of their suitability for your skin) and use the right safety equipment as advised in the two methods. But be warned, making whipped cream soaps can quickly become very addictive, because once you’ve made one we’re certain you’ll be back for more!