4 Simple DIY Face Soaps You Can Make at Home
Making your own face soap is easier than you think—and it's one of the best ways to avoid harsh ingredients while creating something that actually works for your skin type. Whether you’re looking for something gentle, detoxifying, soothing, or brightening, these recipes are beginner-friendly and made with clean, nourishing ingredients.
Here are 4 DIY face soap recipes to try—each one simple, effective, and customizable for your skin type.
1. Gentle Shea Butter Face Soap
Best for: Sensitive or dry skin
This moisturizing face bar blends shea butter, coconut oil, and olive oil for a creamy, non-stripping lather.
Ingredients:
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Shea butter
Distilled water
Lye (sodium hydroxide)
Lavender or chamomile essential oil (optional)
Why it works: Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E and helps lock in moisture. This is a great everyday bar if your skin tends to get red, dry, or easily irritated.
Prefer to buy it instead? Try the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Soap Bar – it's made with natural ingredients and ideal for sensitive skin.
2. Activated Charcoal & Clay Detox Bar
Best for: Oily or acne-prone skin
This cold-process face soap uses activated charcoal and French green clay to deeply cleanse pores and balance oil.
Ingredients:
Coconut oil
Castor oil
Olive oil
Activated charcoal powder
French green clay
Tea tree or rosemary essential oil
Why it works: Charcoal draws out impurities, while green clay gently exfoliates and absorbs excess oil.
Prefer to buy it instead? Try the Yellow Bird Activated Charcoal Soap Bar – it’s all-natural, detoxifying, and great for blemish-prone skin.
3. Oatmeal, Honey & Goat Milk Soap
Best for: Eczema-prone or dry, sensitive skin
This creamy face bar is calming and rich in soothing ingredients. Oatmeal gently exfoliates, honey hydrates, and goat milk adds natural fats and vitamins.
Ingredients:
Goat milk (frozen into cubes)
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Ground oats
Raw honey
Lye (carefully combined with goat milk)
Why it works: This bar is a favorite for calming inflamed or sensitive skin, especially during winter months.
Prefer to buy it instead? Try the Naturals Oatmeal & Honey Goat Milk Soap – nourishing and naturally soothing for dry, sensitive skin.
4. Turmeric & Aloe Brightening Soap
Best for: Dull or uneven skin tone
This glow-boosting bar is powered by turmeric’s natural anti-inflammatory properties and the soothing nature of aloe vera.
Ingredients:
Coconut oil
Olive oil
Aloe vera juice (or fresh aloe gel)
Turmeric powder
Essential oils like orange or frankincense
Why it works: Turmeric helps fade dark spots and even skin tone. Aloe calms irritation and promotes healing.
Prefer to buy it instead? Try the Aspen Kay Turmeric Soap Bar – made with turmeric, aloe, and shea butter for bright, balanced skin.
Quick Tips Before You Start:
Always wear gloves and goggles when working with lye
Use a digital scale for accuracy
Cure bars for at least 4 weeks before using
Store in a dry place for longevity
Making face soap at home is an empowering way to control what goes on your skin—and reduce packaging waste in the process. These 4 recipes are a great place to start.
Ready to try your first bar? Pick one that suits your skin type and give it a go. Clean beauty doesn’t have to come from a bottle—it can come from your kitchen.