October 18, 2021 5 min read

The olive tree is undeniably one of the most significant trees in history, holding a special place in numerous cultures worldwide.

Not only were its branches used in various religious ceremonies throughout history, but the oil also derived from its fruits was used for multiple purposes – from medicines to beauty products.

Nowadays, olive oil is well-renowned for its health benefits, including an excellent source of antioxidants and powerful protection against certain diseases and illnesses. Of course, olive oil's benefits don't just apply to food items; it's also considered a fantastic ingredient for soaps.

You can find numerous bath products with olive oil as one of the primary ingredients. However, olive oil soaps can sometimes be costly, especially since you'll need the correct type of olive oil to guarantee its benefits and quality.

Fortunately, you can always make your olive oil soap at home, and this article has the perfect recipe for it.

Benefits of Olive Oil Soaps

It's no secret that consuming olive oil has many benefits, especially for one's health. However, did you know that you can also reap its positive effects from olive oil soaps? Here are some of the benefits of olive oil soaps:

Ideal for All Skin Types

One of the best things about olive oil soaps is that everyone can use them, even those with sensitive skin or allergies. Olive oil is considered hypoallergenic, so you don't have to worry about experiencing adverse reactions when it's in your soap.

Moreover, these soaps are highly moisturizing and gentle on the skin so that you can enjoy healthier and more youthful-looking skin with olive oil soaps. You can even use one as a makeup remover for your face's sensitive skin.

Rich in Vitamins

Olive oil soaps are also rich in essential vitamins, such as vitamins A and E, both of which can rejuvenate your skin's appearance and give it a youthful glow. Additionally, these soaps are also high in beta carotene, a naturally occurring pigment that helps stimulate new cell growth.

Aside from this, they're also rich in antioxidants that can boost your skin's immunity, allowing it to look and be healthier.

Soothes Skin Conditions

Besides those, olive oil soaps can also help soothe various types of skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and even acne. This is especially true when your olive oil soap contains no chemicals or harsh ingredients, unlike most commercially available soaps.

This is because olive oil has significant anti-inflammatory properties that help calm down breakouts and skin irritation. Combine this with its natural moisturizing properties, and you're left with healthier skin.

How to Make the Perfect Olive Oil Soap at Home

Now that you know the benefits of olive oil soaps let's move on to the process of making your own at home. Check out the full recipe below.


Here's what you'll need to make this recipe:

  • 2/3 cups of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2/3 cups of coconut oil
  • 2/3 cups of other types of liquid oils, like grapeseed, almond, or sunflower
  • ¾ cups of purified or distilled water
  • ¼ cups of sodium hydroxide or lye
  • Optional: 3 tsp of essential oil for fragrance


Aside from the ingredients, you'll also need some equipment:

  • Silicone soap mould
  • Gloves
  • Protective goggles
  • Heat-proof container for the lye (a glass pitcher would do)
  • Glass pint jar
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Immersion blender
  • Thermometer
  • Plastic wrap
  • Measuring cups
  • Baking rack or parchment paper
  • Optional: an old towel


Once you have everything ready, you can proceed to the following steps to make your olive oil soap at home.

First, you need to put on your protective gear and cover your work area. This will help you clean more quickly later on and avoid injuries while you're making your soap.

Then, measure your distilled water and add it to your heat-proof container. In this case, you should have 2/3 cups of distilled or purified water. After this, carefully measure your lye using your measuring cup. Use precisely ¼ cup of sodium hydroxide for this recipe.

Next, pour the lye into the water – never the other way around – and stir the mixture with your spatula as you do. Make sure to stand slightly further back to avoid the fumes. Then, once the water clears, place the lid on your container and put the mixture aside for now. Also, don't forget to rinse your spatula after mixing to avoid contamination.

After that, you need to measure your oils using your measuring cups carefully. In this case, you'll need 2/3 cups of extra-virgin olive oil, 2/3 cups of coconut oil, and 2/3 cups of liquid oil (sunflower, grapeseed, almond, etc.).

Next, you will need to heat the oils. For this, you can combine them in your glass pint jar and heat them in the microwave. Alternatively, you can also put the jar of oils on a pan and use your stove to heat them. Make sure to monitor the temperature using a thermometer. Once the temperature reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you should turn off the heat. You'll need them and your lye-water to be at around 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your soap comes out perfectly.

Once both the oils and your lye-water are at the right temperature, you can proceed to pour the oils into your mixing bowl. Then, slowly add the lye water into the bowl, continuously stirring as you do. Once it's all in the bowl, you need to stir the mixture for 5 minutes manually.

After the 5 minutes, you can use your immersion blender to continue stirring or continue doing it manually. At this point, your mixture should lighten and thicken as you go. Once it has the consistency and appearance of pudding, your soap is ready.

Optional: Before you pour your soap mixture into the silicone moulds, you can add your essential oils or herbs to it. Make sure to stir it well.

Next, you can pour your soap mixture into the silicone mould and cover it with your plastic wrap. Make sure that the cover is secure to avoid letting in air. You can also wrap it with your old towel to keep it warm, helping it begin the saponification process.

After this, you need to wait for your soap to harden. In most cases, this takes around 24 hours. However, if your soap is still warm or soft after 24 hours, you need to let it sit again for another 12 to 24 hours.

Lastly, if it's already solid and cold, you can turn it onto a baking rack or parchment paper where you need to let it cure for approximately four weeks or more. Don't forget to turn it over weekly to ensure all sides are exposed to the air.

There you have it – the perfect olive oil soap recipe. Once your soap is ready, you can enjoy all the benefits of olive oil soaps. However, don't forget to store it properly to ensure it lasts a long time.


Olive oil is undoubtedly one of the most versatile ingredients available, and its use and significance in various cultures throughout history can attest to its incredible value.

Like in food, olive oil also serves as an excellent ingredient for soaps, offering numerous benefits to your skin as well.

With that said, hopefully, this article has helped you discover how to make the perfect olive oil soap at home.

Firat Aslan
Firat Aslan

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