Handmade soaps are an eco-friendly trend that does not stop growing. From lavender, cocoa, honey, rosemary, oatmeal, coffee, with moisturizing, exfoliating, hydrating properties, and the list can go on!
It is a hygiene and beauty product made in a non-industrialized process. Likewise, natural ingredients are used, avoiding the use of complex chemical substances.
Here we tell you how to make handmade soaps and, if you are interested with a low investment, we will guide you so that you can sell them online.
In this guide you will find recipes, types of soaps and the step by step to start selling homemade soaps through an online store.
What is a handmade soap? 🛀
An artisanal soap is a hygiene and beauty product manufactured through a non-industrialized process, usually with low production numbers and made up of natural ingredients, avoiding the use of complex chemical substances.
They are usually produced as homemade soaps, made by hand, with ingredients that are easy to get at any pharmacy, supermarket or herbal store.
What benefits do handmade soaps have?
In addition to being a great business opportunity with a minimal investment, handmade soaps have multiple benefits. We share some of the most relevant:
- They contain fewer chemicals and synthetic ingredients than industrialized soaps.
- Its ingredients can be customized according to the tastes and preferences of the buyer.
- No specialized or industrialized tools are needed for its elaboration.
- They may contain natural essences and ingredients that care for and protect the skin.
- The crafting process can be easily learned and replicated.
However, among the disadvantages to consider, the higher cost than that of an industrialized soap and its short expiration date are some of the arguments against this product.
Speaking of crafts, do you know the work of Tano Verón?
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How long does handmade soap last?
A handmade soap can last from 3 to 6 months depending on the composition, the climate and the ingredients with which it has been made. If it is kept in a cold place and away from direct sunlight, it is possible to extend its useful life up to 9 months.
What is the difference between industrial and handmade soap? 🧼
Most of the differences between industrialized soaps and artisanal soaps come from their production. Here we share the most important:
Artisanal soaps Industrial soaps They contain natural and ecological ingredients in almost all their composition. They use industrialized ingredients, essences, colorants and complex chemicals. They are produced on a small scale, giving unique characteristics to each piece. They are made by thousands, giving a homogeneous product, equal to any other. They are not tested on animals. They can go through a process of testing on animals. They may command a higher price because of the cost of ingredients and labor. They have a lower cost, a result of mass production. They usually have no negative effects on the environment. They can have negative effects on the environment due to the industrialization process.
What are the types of handmade soaps? 🌺
These are some of the best-known handmade soaps that you can easily make at home:
- Glicerine soap
- caustic soda soap
- Liquid soap
- dermatological soap
- Neutral soap
- exfoliating soap
- astringent soap
- scented soap
Let’s briefly see what characterizes each of these types of handmade soaps.
Glicerine soap
It is one of the most common and easy to make at home. It is ideal for removing impurities, caring for oily skin and treating dermatitis without being aggressive or irritating the skin.
caustic soda soap
This element lengthens the life of the soap, giving stability to the mixture; however, it is highly corrosive and irritating and requires special treatment.
Liquid soap
Useful and highly demanded today. Liquid glycerin and other ingredients are required to provide it with special properties. It is one of the easiest to make.
dermatological soap
Handmade dermatological soaps require synthetic cleaning ingredients that help improve the condition of the skin or topical medications in the mix. They are useful to combat seborrhea, acne, dandruff or eczema.
Neutral soap
This type of soap has a pH similar to human skin, making it tolerable for most people, aiming to be hypoallergenic. It is ideal for taking care of skin hydration.
exfoliating soap
Exfoliating soaps remove impurities and dead cells thanks to the inclusion of natural ingredients such as oatmeal, coconut, coffee, rice and activated carbon.
astringent soap
This type of soap manages to reduce excess oil and shine on the skin since elements such as lemon, mint, clay and sulfur are included in its composition.
scented soap
Scented soaps are used as aromatherapy elements, influencing the mood of those who use them. To make them, oils or aromatic essences are required.
Is the handmade soap business profitable? 💰
Yes, it is a very profitable business since with a small investment it is possible to have a very good return on profits.
In addition, this product belongs to the “Health and Beauty” segment, one of the fastest growing in the last year.
During the first half of 2021, cloud stores associated with this item increased the number of products sold by 65%, compared to the same period in 2020.
How is the market for handmade soaps?
Although price and distribution are elements that can play against the handmade soap market, it is a decentralized industry that offers great profitability, being a viable business depending on the unique characteristics of the brand.
To make a profitable business of handmade soaps, it is necessary to consider:
- Tools for the elaboration of the pieces.
- Cost of consumables and perishable ingredients.
- Labor cost, wages and salaries.
- Packaging and tools for the conservation and care of soaps.
- Costs associated with renting a physical location or an e-commerce platform.
Depending on these factors, it is possible to provide an artisanal soap enterprise with economic feasibility. it’s a great way to land trading ideas and know which direction to aim for.
How much does handmade soap cost?
A handmade soap can cost from $370 Argentine pesos to approximately $650 Argentine pesos.
The price varies depending on the number of grams, the ingredients, the formula and the functions it has, since the composition of a scented soap is different from that of an astringent soap or one for dermatological use.
What is needed to make handmade soaps? 📝
These are the most common elements to make handmade soaps at home. Take note!
- glycerin base
- Wooden sticks
- Essential oils
- Isopropyl alcohol
- microwave safe containers
- molds
💡 Tip: Buying several of these items in bulk is a very good practice to reduce the cost of supplies and raw materials.
How much soap can I make with 1 kilo of glycerin?
With a kilo of glycerin it is possible to make 20 soaps of 50 grams or 40 of 25 grams each. It all depends on the weight and size of the molds you have.
In Argentina it is possible to buy a kilo of glycerin soap base in a sealed bag, also known as colorless soap base, for $850 Argentine pesos.
💣 Fact: if you sell each handmade soap at $370 pesos, it is possible to cover the cost of a kilo of glycerin with less than three soaps sold. Good return on investment, right?
How to make handmade soaps? ✨
The necessary steps to make handmade soaps at home are:
- Heat the soap base and prepare the mixture.
- Add the soap ingredients.
- Add essence and color.
- Mix all ingredients.
- Pour the content into soap molds.
- Let stand until solidified.
The process is simple, but it has variants depending on the material used. I kept reading!
How to make handmade glycerin soaps?
There are different kinds of glycerin, such as transparent, white, coconut, vegetable, gelatin texture, with shea butter, argan oil or olive oil. For all of them the process is almost the same. Look:
- Cut the soap into small pieces or small cubes.
- Melt it in the microwave or in a water bath.
- Add the essence, the coloring, the flowers, grains and other ingredients.
- Pour the mixture into the soap molds.
- Spray alcohol to break surface tension and give them a smooth finish.
- Let it sit for 3-4 hours. You can leave it longer to make sure it solidified well.
💡 Tip: when heating the glycerin, prevent it from boiling, as it can turn yellowish, give off a bad smell and cause the soap to “sweat”, as its formulation is destabilized.
How to make handmade soaps with caustic soda?
To make this type of soap you will need:
- Gloves
- Protection glasses
- Chinstrap
- Apron
- stainless steel pot
- Glass container
- graduated glass container
- Kitchen scale
- Kitchen thermometer (if possible, two: one for the oils and one for the caustic soda)
- Blender
- Plastic utensil for stirring
- Silicone molds in the way you prefer for your soaps
And, as ingredients:
- Distilled water
- Oil (depending on the type of oil you use, you will get different results. For harder soaps, we recommend olive, palm or coconut. For softer ones, sunflower or grape are best)
- Caustic soda
- Ingredients for your soap mix (essential oils, herbs, pigments, etc.)
Note: keep in mind that the final components and the amounts needed to make your handmade soaps will depend on the recipe you choose, depending on how many soaps you want to make, what aromas you prefer and the type of oil you want to use. These steps are the “base” for you to start making cold-processed soaps.
✔️ Step 1
Fill the graduated glass container with the amount of distilled water indicated in your recipe.
✔️ Step 2
Very carefully, I added the appropriate amount of caustic soda to create the soda-water solution: do it slowly, stirring slowly with a plastic utensil.
The mixture of these two ingredients will generate an initial reaction of temperature increase. Make sure you add the caustic soda to the water and not the other way around, so it doesn’t splash on you.
✔️ Step 3
Reserve the water and caustic soda mixture in a safe place to cool.
✔️ Step 4
On the kitchen scale, weigh the oils according to the amount indicated in your recipe. Then dump them into the steel pot…
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