When your skin needs some serious TLC, it’s time to revert to the classics; this oatmeal soap recipe is gentle to use while providing intense relief to dry, irritated skin. Give your skin a gracious moisture boost with this soothing oatmeal soap, naturally scented with bergamot.
For those of us old enough to remember having chicken pox, you may have a distant memory of taking thick oatmeal baths to soothe that incessant itch.
Oatmeal has been used for skin health dating back centuries. And we’re still not over it!
That’s why I’m bringing back this classic ingredient today with my oatmeal soap bar recipe. Though ancient, oatmeal contains up-to-date skin benefits that natural beauty enthusiasts and big beauty brands use.
And as a bright bonus, I’ve scented this soap recipe with bergamot for a sunny citrus addition to your wash. Topped with gorgeous calendula petals and rolled oats, this soap is just as pretty as it is effective.
Jump ahead to…
- Oatmeal Soap Benefits
- How to Make Oatmeal Soap
- Equipment
- Ingredients
- Make It!
- Make This Oatmeal Soap Vegan
- Frequently Asked Questions About Oatmeal Soap
- More Soap Recipes to Try
Oatmeal Soap Benefits
So what’s with all the hype over a simple cereal grain?
Colloidal oatmeal, or finely ground oats, has been used to soothe dry, itchy skin as early as 2000 BC. Ancient Arabian, Egyptian, and Roman cultures have all documented using oatmeal for topical skin care treatments.
Today, oatmeal is just as beneficial. The benefits of using this oatmeal soap include an improved complexion, a gentle cleanse, and increased collagen production. Colloidal oatmeal binds skin and forms a protective barrier, providing deep moisturizing properties and easing skin inflammation.
The oatmeal in this soap recipe also contains anti-itch properties that will comfort irritated skin from dry weather or skin conditions like eczema.
You can learn more about the skin benefits of oatmeal in my soothing oatmeal bath recipe.
How to Make Oatmeal Soap
This ultra-gentle oatmeal soap recipe is just what your skin needs to survive the bitter cold. Use it to soothe dry, itchy skin and give it the surge of moisture it deserves.
Equipment
- Safety gear such as gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
- Kitchen scale
- Infrared thermometer
- Stainless steel double boiler
- Heat-resistant measuring cup
- Immersion blender
- Large mixing bowls
- 2 lb soap mould
Ingredients
See the exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Jump to Recipe- Lard
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Lye
- Distilled water
- Bergamot essential oil
- Colloidal oats (finely ground)
- Calendula petals (learn how to dry your own flower petals here!)
- Rolled oats
Make It!
First, suit up in all of your safety gear, including gloves, goggles, and a long sleeve shirt; soap-making is no joke!
For the most accurate measurements, weigh all of your ingredients on a small kitchen scale.
Then, heat your olive oil, lard, and coconut oil over low heat in a double boiler until it reaches 115°F. You can complete this step on the stovetop or in a microwave.
Next, mix together your lye and water in a heat-resistant measuring cup (you can complete this step while your oils are heating). The fumes from this chemical reaction are strong, so mix them in a well-insulated area and avoid inhaling the fumes.
Once your lye and water are mixed, let it sit in an ice bath until it reaches 115°F. You’ll want it to be at the same temperature as your heated oils before combining.
Pour your lye water into your oils once they’ve reached the same temperature, and use an immersion blender to help them reach a light trace (no oils streaks).
Next, add your colloidal oatmeal and blend again.
Finally, add bergamot essential oil for a final blend; saving the essential oil for last will help keep it from breaking down and losing potency.
Pour your prepared soap mixture into your soap mould and top with calendula petals and rolled oats.
Wrap your soap mould in a towel and let it sit in a warm place for 48 hours.
After 48 hours, you can cut your soap into equal sections. Remember to let your soap cure for six weeks before using.
Make This Oatmeal Soap Vegan
This soap recipe isn’t plant-based due to the addition of lard to the soap base. If you want to try oatmeal soap out but require a plant-based alternative, you’re in luck.
You can use one of my plant-based cold-process soap bases instead; follow the instructions as listed and then, add in your colloidal oatmeal and bergamot essential oils.
The best part about these base soap recipes is that they’re customizable based on your needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oatmeal Soap
Using oatmeal soap as a part of your regular skincare routine is a great way to help reduce the effects of eczema.
Oatmeal has natural moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe dry, sensitive skin. It also has anti-itch properties that will prevent further aggravating your eczema.
Try this natural approach to help soothe eczema without using skin-thinning, topical creams.
You can absolutely use this oatmeal soap bar on your face.
Colloidal oatmeal itself is an excellent skincare ingredient because it’s gentle on the skin, provides a boost of moisture, and aids in collagen production, all while providing a thorough cleanse.
Note that if you top your soap with whole pieces of oatmeal, it may be harsh on gentle skin (when not moistened with warm water). Avoid this part of your oatmeal soap while washing your face.
In addition to oatmeal, this soap recipe will retain natural glycerin, which helps repair and replenish skin.
Many avoid using oatmeal in beauty recipes, fearing that this thick cereal will clog their drains and cause serious plumbing issues.
Luckily, this oatmeal soap recipe will not clog your drain because it uses colloidal oatmeal rather than the whole form.
Colloidal oatmeal is just plain oatmeal that is ground into a thin powder–this powder will dissolve in water and won’t cause any problems to your plumbing.
More Soap Recipes to Try
- Refreshing Basil and Peppermint Soap Recipe
- Sweet Homemade Honeycomb Soap
- Gentle on The Skin Rose Soap Recipe
- Soothe Irritated Skin with This Chamomile Soap
Oatmeal Soap Bar Recipe
Equipment
- Safety gear (rubber gloves, face mask, apron, eye protection, etc.)
- Pyrex or heatproof glass measuring cup
Supplies
- 4.8 oz lard (142 ml)
- 8 oz olive oil (236.6 ml)
- 3.2 oz coconut oil (94.6 ml)
- 2.2 oz lye (65 ml)
- 5 oz distilled water (148 ml)
- 2 tbsp colloidal oats (finely ground)
- 20 ml bergamot essential oil
Instructions
- Put on your safety gear then weigh all your ingredients.
- Heat your olive oil, lard, and coconut oil over low heat in the double boiler until it reaches 115°F.
- While the oils heat, mix together lye and water in a well-ventilated area. Once mixed, let it sit in an ice bath until it reaches 115°F.
- When the lye water and oils are at the same temperature, add the oils, then the lye water into the mixing bowl. Use an immersion blender to mix until they reach a light trace.
- Add in oatmeal and then blend again.
- Add in essential oil, then blend again.
- Pour soap into mold. Top the soap with rolled oats and calendula petals. Let sit for 48 hours wrapped in a towel and placed somewhere warm.
- After 48 hours, unmold the soap. Cut into equal sections and then let cure for six weeks before use.
