Two beautiful DIY turmeric soap recipes. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned soap maker, here you'll find detailed step by step instructions for making homemade soap with or without lye. Turmeric, essential oils and nourishing base oils give this soap wonderful skin benefits.
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Melt and Pour Soap vs. Cold Process Soap
In this tutorial you'll find instructions for both methods of soap making. What's the difference? In short: With cold process you use lye, with melt & pour you don't.
The melt and pour process is very simple and great for beginners: cut up the soap base, melt it, add turmeric and scent and pour it into a mold. Done.
Cold process soap, as you'll see later is a little bit more involved and requires safe handling of lye solution. I'll walk you through it step by step.
Know that with both methods you'll end up with a wonderfully skin loving soap bar filled with natural ingredients. You can even use it as a facial soap for sensitive skin.
Benefits of Turmeric Soap
Turmeric root is part of the ginger family. It's a spice who's key ingredient curcuma has long been praised for it's antioxidant and antibacterial properties. A staple in ayurvedic medicine and skincare which has been used to treat all kinds of skin ailments for over 4000 years.
Let's look at some other awesome turmeric soap benefits:
- Cleansing: it's soap, so naturally it will clean. Handmade soap, however does so in a very gentle manner. Keeping the natural skin barrier undisturbed and replenishing lost oils. Perfect for dry skin.
- Exfoliating: turmeric acts as a gentle exfoliator, removing impurities and dead skin cells in the process. If you want glowing skin, exfoliation is key. Turmeric is gentle enough to be suitable for all skin types.
- Brightening: turmeric's antioxidant properties may give your skin luster and a fresh look.
- Evens hyperpigmentation & skin tone: turmeric may help diminish acne scars, dark spots, or dark circles.
- Acne reducing: antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can help reduce acne causing bacteria and breakouts as well as reduce acne scars
- Anti-aging: filled with antioxidants turmeric can combat signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots by protecting the skin from free radicals
Turmeric happens to also be a great natural colorant for soap. It can give you shades that range from light yellow to deep orange depending on how much you use.
DIY Melt and Pour Turmeric Soap
Now, my friend, let me show you just how easy it is to make turmeric soap at home.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here.
Ingredients (makes 5-6 bars of soap)
- melt and pour soap base: 1 lbs / 500g
- turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- rubbing alcohol: 1 Tbsp
- lemongrass essential oil: 1.5 teaspoon (8g)
- sesame seed oil (optional): 1 tsp
Equipment
- medium heat-proof glass measuring cup or double boiler
- silicone soap mold
- whisk
- small container to dilute turmeric (optional)
- spray bottle to fill with rubbing alcohol (optional)
How to make to make turmeric soap
Cut melt and pour base into small chunks. Dilute turmeric powder in rubbing alcohol.
Melt soap base in microwave on 20 second burst mixing in between each one. Whisk in essential oil + sesame oil.
Whisk in turmeric.
Pour into soap mold.
- Let soap cool to room temperature and remove from mold after 1-2 hours.
- Store in an airtight container, zip lock bag or wrapped in plastic wrap.
Homemade Turmeric Soap Cold Process
So, you want to try making turmeric soap from scratch? Me, too. Let's go.
If this is your first time making cold process, read through my lye safety tips, recommended gear and beginner's tutorial first.
Ingredients (makes 5-6 bars of soap)
- distilled water: 4.4 oz / 124 g
- lye (sodium hydroxide): 2.6 oz / 73 g
- coconut oil: 5.7 oz / 162 g (31% of the oils)
- pomace (olive oil): 5.7 oz / 162 g (31% of the oils)
- shea butter: 4.8 oz / 136 g (26% of the oils)
- sesame oil: 1.1 oz / 31 g (6% of the oils)
- castor oil: 1.1 oz / 31 g (6% of the oils)
- turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- lemongrass essential oil: 16 g
- cedarwood essential oil: 3 g
- ginger essential oil: 3 g
Equipment
- gloves
- protective eyewear/ goggels
- digital kitchen scale
- stick blender / immersion blender
- digital thermometer
- 2 medium heat resistant containers (one for the lye solution, one for the base oils)
- small plastic cup for measuring lye
- small glass container for measuring essential oils
- silicone soap mold
- cutting board to put soap mold on
- spatula
- small plastic spoon
Instructions
Gear up for safety: protective glasses, gloves and long sleeves is a must! Make sure you're soaping in a ventilated space without kids and/or pets around.
Measure lye into small cup using a digital kitchen scale. Measure out water as well.
Carefully add lye to water while stirring. When fully dissolved set aside to cool.
Melt coconut oil and shea butter over low heat. Add olive, castor + sesame oil.
Into separate cup measure out essential oils.
Add essential oils + turmeric powder to the melted oils, mix powder in very well using your stick blender.
When lye water and oils have cooled to 100℉, pour lye water down shaft of stick blender into oils.
Blend in short bursts until soap batter trails on surface (medium trace). Place soap mold on cutting board.
Pour soap batter into mold and tap it down to release any air bubbles. Texture the top of the soap with a small spoon.
Set soap aside in a protected spot. Unmold after 3 days by releasing sides of the mold first.
Cure soap for 4 weeks while making sure air can circulate around bars. After that store in an old shoe box away from heat and humidity. Use within 12 months.
Turmeric Soap Recipe (Cold process & Glycerin Soap)
Cold process and melt and pour soap recipe for making beautiful turmeric soap with turmeric powder and essential oils. Great for beginners and advanced soap makers!
Ingredients
- Melt & Pour Turmeric Soap:
- melt and pour soap base: 1 lbs / 500g
- turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- lemongrass essential oil: 1.5 tsp
- sesame seed oil (optional): 1 tsp
- Cold Process Turmeric Soap:
- distilled water: 4.4 oz / 124 g
- lye (sodium hydroxide): 2.6 oz / 73 g
- coconut oil: 5.7 oz / 162 g (31% of the oils)
- pomace (olive oil): 5.7 oz / 162 g (31% of the oils)
- shea butter: 4.8 oz / 136 g (26% of the oils)
- sesame oil: 1.1 oz / 31 g (6% of the oils)
- castor oil: 1.1 oz / 31 g (6% of the oils)
- turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- lemongrass essential oil: 16 g
- cedarwood essential oil: 3 g
- ginger essential oil: 3 g
Instructions
Melt and Pour Turmeric Soap
Equipment
- medium heat-proof glass measuring cup or double boiler
- silicone soap mold
- whisk
- small container to dilute turmeric (optional)
- spray bottle to fill with rubbing alcohol (optional)
Instructions
- cut melt and pour base into small chunks
- dilute turmeric powder in rubbing alcohol
- melt over a water bath, in a double boiler or in the microwave in 20 second burst
- make sure soap is melted and remove from heat
- whisk in turmeric powder and essential blend
- pour into soap mold
- let soap cool to room temperature
- remove from soap mold after 1-2 hours
- store in an airtight container, zip lock bag or wrapped in plastic wrap
Cold Process Turmeric Soap
Equipment
- digital kitchen scale
- stick blender / immersion blender
- 2 medium heat resistant containers (one for the lye solution, one for the base oils)
- spatula
- silicone soap mold
Instructions
- Gear up for safety: goggles, gloves, long sleeves. Soap in a well-ventilated area away from kids and pets
- Prepare the lye solution in a small container and set aside
- In a medium sized container measure and melt the coconut oil and shea butter over low heat
- Add pomace (olive oil), castor and sesame oil and essential oil
- Add turmeric powder to the melted oils, mix powder in very well using your stick blender (you want a smooth mixture without clumps)
- Wait until lye water and oils have cooled down to at least 100 degrees F
- Combine lye water and melted oils and butters by stick blending until medium trace
- Pour the batter into the mold and tap it down to release any air bubbles
- texture the top of the soap with a small spoon (optional)
- After 3 days remove from mold by gently releasing sides first
- Cure for 3-4 weeks in a dark, well ventilated spot
- After that store in an old shoe box
- Use within 12 months
Zankhana Panchal
Hi
I want to ask that u have used real papaya
pulp so the soap will lasts for how many
months?means expiry of soap?
Celine
Hi Zankhana, good question. The process of making soap with lye will turn the papaya pulp into soap as well. Meaning all microbes are killed off and your soap should have at least a shelf life of one year. The shelf life also depends on your climate (keep soap away from humidity) and the freshness of your oils. You can recognize soap that has gone bad when you see orange spots that feel sticky and have a bad odor. Using fresh ingredients in soap does NOT work with melt and pour soap. I hope this helps.
Morgan patience
Lye is it still the same as caustic soda NAOH
Celine
Yes, Sodium Hydroxide NaOH
Akshitalakhotia
If I use melt and pour recipe then also can fresh puree added
Celine
Unfortunately you can’t use fresh purée in melt and pour soap. Melt and pour soap doesn’t go through the saponification process and you will have problems with mold developing in your soap.
Onika
Hi. Great recipe. Do you subtract 2oz from the water to be replaced by the puree.
Celine
Hi Onika, yes the amount of the puree has already been subtracted from the amount of water. you can just go ahead and follow the recipe. Happy Tinkering 🙂
Samiksha
Hi, I just followed the same recipe with exact measurements but the batter turned very thick and became kinda dry after adding lye water to the oils. Why is that so?
Celine
I’m not sure. Have you made soap before? Usually something like this is due to measuring errors.
Sasha
Hi, instead of using the pringles can, can a regular soap mold be used?
Celine
Absolutely. Happy Tinkering 🙂
Jhan
Hello I just wanna ask about the lye. Is that lye water or lye soap? Where I can buy of that?. U think have in super market?
Thanks and hoping u will response.
Celine
Hi Jhan, it is solid lye (sodium hydroxide) which you dissolve in water. Working with lye requires safety precautions like goggles and gloves since it’s a chemical. You might be able to find it at a supermarket used as drain cleaner.
Akeiva
Hi I love the recipe but could I replace it with carrot instead of papaya?
Celine
Hi Akeiva, yes absolutely you can 🙂
Abbey
Hi, what natural remedy works for skin tags
Celine
Hi Abbey, I’m not sure.
Valora
"Papaya contains the enzyme papein which is used as a natural exfoliant in skincare products."
This is true, but heat destroys enzymes very quickly. This is why, for example, fresh fruits which contain these types of enzymes (papaya, pineapple, kiwi) have to be lightly cooked before adding to jello. If you put them in raw, the enzymes will "eat" (break down) the gelatin's protein, and prevent it from 'gelling'. Likewise, the heat from the saponification process does destroy the papein. You'd have to put the soap in the freezer to prevent any heat build-up to keep the papein from being destroyed, and hope that's enough to do it!
Thangboi
Is there any alternate organic form of lye instead of the chrmical one pls
Celine
Hi Thangboi, No, lye is required to turn oils into soap.
Jobelle De Castro
Hi i use goat milk (9oz) instead of water. How much ppya puree should I use?
Celine
The amount stays the same with goat milk.
Helen
Please is it right to use part of water and the puree as lye solution? I mean to freeze the puree, water and when you weigh it you add your lye to it. Will it still be effective like when you pour puree directly to soap batter or melted oil? Then is there any particular fruits or veggies we use for cold process soap? Thank you.
Celine
Yes you can freeze the water and purée before adding the lye. I have many recipes on the blog that use fruit and veggie purées. Take a look!
Tatiana
Won't the sugars of the papaya cause the soap to overheat when insulating?
Celine
Mine didn’t overheat but I kept checking for any signs of cracking. if you prefer you don’t have to use the towel. If you really wanted to prevent gell you could put the mold in the freezer as well.
Oladayo john
I haven't produce soap with lye before ,but the company that hired me want me to produce papaya soap , I need to ask you this question to avoid mistakes ,how will I know my measurements is accurate , although I used soap calculator I will just pick the material I need to use to make it 100% then I generate the result ,2 if you are add papaya puree,or lemon juice all this thing's are not on soap calculator,if I'm to add it to my ingredient will I subtract it from the amount of the water of lyes used ,pls kind help me out , I need to be perfect , I will be glad if there is any way you you can help me.to communicate with you different either through email or WhatsApp pls kindly help me thanks ([email protected]) .
Celine
Hi! The easiest way especially as a beginner is to find a recipe and follow it precisely. Lemon juice however won’t work lye soap it’s too acidic.
Adrian
Can I remove the puree all together. I love the idea of turmeric soap but not so much with papaya.
Celine
Yes you can!
Lisa3002
I'm new to soaping and I just love your website and recipes! Question regarding natural powders: when I read "turmeric powder" is that the same as "turmeric spice" that I'd get in the spice aisle? At my local health food store I've noticed that some natural spices also come as powders and are labeled "powders" and can be found in a different section, not the spice aisle. So I'm wondering if the "spice" is the same thing as the "powder" and are they used interchangeably? I hope that makes sense.
Celine
Hi Lisa, the turmeric in this recipe was from the spice aisles at the grocery store. If a spice or powder is safe to eat it’s safe to use in skincare products. Sometimes the color you get might vary though. Sometimes spirulina powder varies in how strong the color comes out.
Eva
Hi Celine
Is it ok for me to boil the paw paw and seave the water and use that for mixing the lye?
Celine
Hi Eva, I’ve personally never tried that, but I don’t see why you couldn’t try. You will have to freeze or at least chill the water before mixing in the lye. Simply to prevent scorching the liquid.
Sash
Good day I dont like your recipe and wanting to make a soap with potato and papaya I am new to soap making but dont have the oils that you use how should I measure the papaya and potato puree to go in the soap??
Celine
Making changes to a soap recipe is not advisable. If you don’t have any of the oils I’m using in this recipe I would try to find a different one. I’ve never added potato to my soap so I’m not sure if it’ll work.
Basudev pandey
Hii Celine can I add papaya and tarmaric pouder to my soap Batch melting soap with available in supermarket
Celine
Hi, unfortunately you can’t add any fresh papaya to melt and pour soap.
Allison Best
Can I use a infused papaya oil instead for melt and pour soap base?
Celine
I’m not sure I’ve never tried it
sanali
Will the papaya colour get caramelized?
Celine
it will get a dark orange
Keketso
Hi Celine,
Can I triple this recipe to make more soaps.. I like the idea of you using sesame seed oil have you ever used mustard seed oil in soapmaking as it also has amazing benefits
Celine
You can triple the recipe if you like. I've never used mustard seed oil, have you?
Mac
Hello,
Thank you you for sharing such a lovely recipe. Is it ok to double up on the Papaya puree? I also would like to know if the papaya seed will affect the quality of the soap if I decided to leave it in. Thank you
Celine
I wouldn't use more puree than indicated in the recipe. I would leave out the seeds unless you don't mind a bumpy soap 😉