Olive Oil Soap Recipe: Benefits, Ingredients and How to Make Your Own

Simple ingredients have a habit of standing the test of time.

Long before supermarket shelves were packed with brightly coloured body washes and heavily fragranced soaps, people were making soap from oils, water and lye. One of the most well-known examples is olive oil soap, a traditional soap that has been used for centuries and is still popular today.

Part of its appeal comes from its simplicity. Many people are looking for products with fewer ingredients and a more traditional approach to skincare. Olive oil soap fits that description perfectly.

Whether you're interested in making your own soap at home or simply want to understand why so many people use it, here's everything you need to know about olive oil soap, including a straightforward recipe for beginners.

If you're a complete beginner, watch a few reputable video tutorials on 100% olive oil Castile soap before starting. 100% olive oil (Castile) soap genuinely benefits from the 8–12 weeks. The single most important habit is to run any recipe through a lye calculator yourself before making it (SoapCalc or the Bramble Berry one) ALWAYS.

What Is Olive Oil Soap?

Olive oil soap is exactly what the name suggests.

It is a soap made primarily from olive oil, combined with water and sodium hydroxide, often known as lye. During the soap-making process, a chemical reaction called saponification takes place. Once the process is complete and the soap has cured properly, the lye has been transformed into soap and is no longer present in its original form.

Traditional olive oil soap has roots stretching back hundreds of years and remains popular because of its mild, simple nature.

Many people know it as Castile soap when it is made using 100% olive oil.

Benefits of Olive Oil Soap

There are plenty of reasons olive oil soap continues to attract loyal fans.

Gentle Cleansing

One of the biggest benefits of olive oil soap is its reputation for being gentle.

Unlike some heavily fragranced soaps that can leave skin feeling stripped and dry, olive oil soap creates a milder cleansing experience.

Simple Ingredients

Many commercial soaps contain a long list of ingredients that most people struggle to pronounce.

Olive oil soap is refreshingly straightforward.

In its simplest form it contains just olive oil, water and lye.

Creamy Lather

People expecting huge bubbles are sometimes surprised.

Olive oil soap produces a softer, creamier lather rather than the large fluffy bubbles associated with some commercial soaps.

Many users actually prefer this texture.

Suitable for Everyday Use

Olive oil soap is commonly used for:

• Hand washing

• Bathing

• Showering

• Facial cleansing

• Guest bathrooms

A single bar can often serve multiple purposes around the home.

Long History of Use

Few skincare products can claim centuries of popularity.

The continued use of olive oil soap says a lot about its reputation and effectiveness.

Olive Oil Soap Recipe

For anyone interested in making their own olive oil soap, this beginner-friendly recipe is a good starting point.

Ingredients

• 1kg olive oil

• 300g distilled water

• 128g sodium hydroxide (lye)

Equipment

• Digital scales

• Heatproof jug

• Mixing container

• Stick blender

• Soap mould

• Safety glasses

• Rubber gloves

How to Make Olive Oil Soap

Step 1

Measure the distilled water into a heatproof container.

Slowly add the sodium hydroxide to the water while stirring gently.

Never add water to lye.

The mixture will become extremely hot. Allow it to cool safely.

Step 2

Measure the olive oil into a large mixing bowl or soap-making container.

Step 3

When both mixtures have cooled to a similar temperature, carefully pour the lye solution into the olive oil.

Step 4

Use a stick blender in short bursts until the mixture thickens.

Soap makers refer to this stage as "trace."

The mixture should resemble thin custard and leave a faint trail on the surface when drizzled.

Step 5

Pour the soap mixture into a mould.

Tap the mould gently on the work surface to remove trapped air bubbles.

Step 6

Leave the mould undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours.

Once firm, remove the soap and cut it into bars.

Step 7

Allow the bars to cure for at least 4–6 weeks in a cool, dry location with good airflow. Many soap makers prefer an 8–12 week cure for 100% olive oil soap as this produces a harder, longer-lasting bar with a creamier lather.

Can Olive Oil Soap Be Scented?

Yes.

Many people choose to leave olive oil soap unscented, but essential oils can be added if desired.

Popular choices include:

• Lavender

• Lemon

• Rosemary

• Peppermint

• Sweet orange

Dried botanicals such as lavender buds or oatmeal can also be added for texture and appearance.

Essential oils should only be added in amounts recommended for soap making. Some essential oils can irritate skin if used in excessive quantities.

How Long Does Olive Oil Soap Last?

When stored correctly, olive oil soap has an excellent shelf life.

Finished bars should be kept somewhere cool and dry until needed.

Once in use, allowing the soap to dry between washes helps it last significantly longer.

A well-cured bar of olive oil soap can often outlast many commercial alternatives.

Is Olive Oil Soap Worth Making?

For people interested in traditional crafts, simple ingredients and homemade skincare products, olive oil soap is a rewarding project.

The ingredient list is short, the process is well established and the finished bars can be used throughout the home.

Perhaps the biggest reason for its popularity is that olive oil soap doesn't try to be complicated.

It has been used for generations because it does exactly what a good bar of soap should do: clean effectively while remaining simple, dependable and easy to use.

Note: Allow the bars to cure for at least 4–6 weeks. Many soap makers prefer an 8–12 week cure for 100% olive oil soap as this produces a harder, longer-lasting bar with a creamier lather.

Important Safety Disclaimer

This olive oil soap recipe uses sodium hydroxide (lye), which is an essential ingredient in traditional soap making. Lye is a highly caustic substance and can cause serious burns if handled incorrectly.

Always wear protective gloves, eye protection and long sleeves when making soap. Work in a well-ventilated area and keep children and pets away from your workspace at all times.

Never add water to lye. Always add lye slowly to water. Mixing lye and water creates heat and fumes, so care should be taken throughout the process.

The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Anyone choosing to make olive oil soap does so at their own risk and should follow all safety guidance provided by their lye manufacturer.

Properly made and fully cured soap does not contain active lye. However, soap should always be allowed to cure for the recommended period before use.

If lye comes into contact with skin or eyes, seek appropriate medical advice immediately and follow the safety instructions supplied with the product.