Common Oils and Butters Used in Soaps and Bath & Body Products

Argan Oil - Silky and moisturizing, and it’s packed with vitamins E and A.  Mainly used in leave on products.  Limited use in soap.

Avocado Oil - Rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E. The high levels of fatty acids make it great for lotions, body butters, and conditioners as well.

Babassu Oil - Comes from a native Brazilian palm tree.  Typically used used in place of coconut or palm oil in cold process soap.  We mix coconut oil with babassu oil. It adds the same firming and cleansing properties.  Babassu does have a lighter feeling on the skin and it absorbs quickly.

Carrot Seed Oil (Carrot Soap) – Carrot Seed Oil has a silky texture. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly.  Great for those with sensitive skin.

Castor Oil - This thick liquid is extracted from the castor bean plant. It draws moisture to the skin and creates wonderful lather in soap.

Cocoa Butter – This butter is solid and hard.  It adds a luxurious moisturizing feeling.  Extremely expensive ingredient, but well worth it.

Coconut Oil – A stable in most soaps. It is known for its super cleansing and produces large bubbles.  It can be drying so we limit how much is used.

Coffee Butter (Coffee Soap, Body Butter)  – A luscious butter used in soap, and body butters.  Contains 1% natural caffeine.  Has a natural coffee scent and a creamy feeling.

Coffee Seed Oil (Coffee Soap, Body Butter)  – This and luxurious extracted from freshly-roasted coffee beans. 

Emu Oil – Medium weight oil that helps keep the skin hydrated.

Evening Primrose Oil – lightweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin.

Fractionated Coconut Oil – This oil stays liquid.  More lightweight than regular coconut oil. 

Green Tea Seed Oil – Lightweight, moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin.  Also rich in nutrients like vitamins A and B.

Hemp Seed Oil – A great source of fatty acids.  Helps keep the skin hydrated all day long.  It also creates excellent lather

Jojoba Oil – A liquid wax that contributes to a long-lasting bar of soap.  Limited use in soap.  Preferred in other products.

Kokum Butter – Lightweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly. 

Ligonberry Seed Oil – Silky and lightweight texture.  Also packed with fatty acids and antioxidants.

Mango Seed Butter – Extracted from the fruit kernels of the mango tree.  Solid at room temperature, melts on the skin. 

Meadowfoam Oil – A moisturizing and conditioning feel that is similar to jojoba oil.  Contributes a creamy and silky lather in soap.  Originally used as an alternative to sperm whale oil, but used as a more earth-friendly product.

Olive Oil – Another stable in soapmaking.  Thick oil that moistures the skin and creates creamy lather. 

Palm Oil – Helps to harden soap bars and it creates lather when paired with coconut oil.  We only use eco-friendly, organic, sustainable palm oil that is certified under the Palm Done Right® promise.

Pumpkin Seed Oil or Butter - A lightweight oil rich in vitamin A, E, Zinc, and beta-carotene.  Pumpkin seed oil's fatty acids, like omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, has a moisturizing consistency similar to olive oil.

Rice Bran Oil – Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants.  Has a thick, moisturizing consistency similar to olive oil.  Will generate small lather.

Rosehip Seed Oil – Great for dry or mature skin.  Rich in vitamins A and C.  Feels hydrating on the skin.  Lightweight and non-greasy consistency.

Safflower Oil – Mild and skin-loving. 

Shea Butter – Luxurious and moisturing on the skin.  Help harden soap.

Sweet Almond Oil  - Full of fatty acids and has a lightweight and moisturizing consistency. Used more in bath and body products versus soaps.

Tamanu Oil – Lighweight and moisturizing consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. Packed with essential fatty acids.