Published: · Modified: by Celine · This post may contain affiliate links · 47 Comments
Find out how to make turmeric soap that's great for your skin! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned soap maker, with these step-by-step instructions you'll make homemade turmeric soap in no time. Turmeric powder, essential oils, and nourishing base oils are perfect for making a gentle facial soap for sensitive skin.
Jump to:
- Benefits of Turmeric Soap
- 1. DIY Turmeric Soap (Melt and Pour Method)
- Ingredients (makes 5-6 bars of soap)
- Equipment
- How to Make Turmeric Soap
- 2. Homemade Turmeric Soap (Cold Process Method)
- Ingredients (makes 5-6 bars of soap)
- Equipment
- Instructions
- FAQs
Benefits of Turmeric Soap
Turmeric root is part of the ginger family. It's a spice whose key ingredient curcuma has long been praised for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. A staple in ayurvedic medicine and skincare it has been used to treat all kinds of skin ailments for over 4000 years.
Let's look at some other 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.
1. DIY Turmeric Soap (Melt and Pour Method)
Let's start with the easier no-lye version of this soap. This soap comes together in 6 simple steps and is perfect for beginners. Let me show you how.
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 lb / 500g
- turmeric powder: 1 tsp
- rubbing alcohol or water: 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 cup to dilute turmeric
- spray bottle to fill with rubbing alcohol (optional)
How to Make Turmeric Soap
- Cut melt and pour base into small chunks. Dilute turmeric powder in rubbing alcohol or water.
- Melt soap base in microwave on 20-second bursts mixing in between each one. Whisk in essential oil + sesame oil.
- Whisk in turmeric.
- Pour into soap mold. (optional: spray top with rubbing alcohol to eliminate air bubbles)
- 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.
2. Homemade Turmeric Soap (Cold Process Method)
Learn how to make turmeric soap from scratch using lye. It's a more advanced technique that allows you to be in control of all the ingredients that go into your soap. You'll have to follow certain safety precautions, but the result is totally worth it: a gentle, creamy, and nourishing bar of homemade soap.
If this is your first time making cold process soap, 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/ goggles
- 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 moldhttps://amzn.to/47xYTyc
- cutting board to put soap mold on
- spatula
- small plastic spoon
Instructions
- Gear up for safety: protective glasses, gloves, and long sleeves are a must! Make sure you're soaping in a ventilated space without kids and/or pets around.
- Measure lye into a small cup using a digital kitchen scale. Measure out water in a separate container.
- Carefully add lye to water while stirring (never the other way around!). When fully dissolved set aside to cool.
- Melt coconut oil and shea butter over low heat. Then add olive, castor, and sesame oil.
- Into a separate glass cup measure out essential oils.
- Add essential oils and turmeric powder to melted oils, and mix the powder in very well using your stick blender.
- When lye water and oils have cooled to 100℉, pour lye water down shaft of the 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 (optional).
- 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.
FAQs
How can I make homemade soap without glycerin?
If you're looking to make soap without using a glycerin soap base (melt and pour soap base) you can make soap using the cold process or hot process method. Glycerin is a natural byproduct of the soap-making process and is great for your skin as it will draw moisture to it.
Can I add fresh turmeric for soap making?
You can add 3-4 oz of freshly grated turmeric per pound of oil to a cold-process soap recipe. I wouldn't add fresh turmeric to melt and pour soap, however, since fresh ingredients increase the chance of mold.
How much turmeric should I add to my soap?
1-2 teaspoon per pound of soap. The more you use the darker the shade of your soap will be.
Can you wash your body with turmeric soap?
Yes, you can. Turmeric is gentle enough to be used in the shower.
Turmeric Soap Recipe (Cold process & Glycerin Soap)
Yield: 5-6 bars of soap
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cure Time (for CP): 28 days 2 hours
Total Time: 28 days 2 hours 20 minutes
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
More Soap Making
- 8 Amazing Benefits of Goat Milk Soap
- Giant Soap Bubbles Recipe (+DIY Bubble Wand)
- 7 Proven Ways to Make Homemade Soap Harder with Recipe
- What's the Best Lye Concentration for Soap Making?
Reader Interactions
Comments
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?Reply
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.
Reply
Morgan patience
Lye is it still the same as caustic soda NAOH
See AlsoWhipped Cream Recipe with Flavors - Crazy for CrustCrispy Dill Pickle Recipe - The 7 Secrets To Keeping Them CrunchyLayered Hibiscus Soap Recipe: Flower Shaped SoapReply
Celine
Yes, Sodium Hydroxide NaOH
Reply
Aksh*talakhotia
If I use melt and pour recipe then also can fresh puree added
Reply
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.
Reply
Onika
Hi. Great recipe. Do you subtract 2oz from the water to be replaced by the puree.
Reply
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 🙂
Reply
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?
Reply
Celine
I’m not sure. Have you made soap before? Usually something like this is due to measuring errors.
Reply
Sasha
Hi, instead of using the pringles can, can a regular soap mold be used?
Reply
Celine
Absolutely. Happy Tinkering 🙂
Reply
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.Reply
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.
Reply
Akeiva
Hi I love the recipe but could I replace it with carrot instead of papaya?
Reply
Celine
Hi Akeiva, yes absolutely you can 🙂
Reply
Abbey
Hi, what natural remedy works for skin tags
Reply
Celine
Hi Abbey, I’m not sure.
Reply
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!
Reply
Thangboi
Is there any alternate organic form of lye instead of the chrmical one pls
Reply
Celine
Hi Thangboi, No, lye is required to turn oils into soap.
Reply
Jobelle De Castro
Hi i use goat milk (9oz) instead of water. How much ppya puree should I use?
Reply
Celine
The amount stays the same with goat milk.
Reply
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.
Reply
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!
Reply
Tatiana
Won't the sugars of the papaya cause the soap to overheat when insulating?
Reply
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.
Reply
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 ([emailprotected]) .
Reply
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.
Reply
Adrian
Can I remove the puree all together. I love the idea of turmeric soap but not so much with papaya.
Reply
Celine
Yes you can!
Reply
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.
Reply
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.
Reply
Eva
Hi Celine
Is it ok for me to boil the paw paw and seave the water and use that for mixing the lye?Reply
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.
Reply
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??
Reply
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.
Reply
Basudev pandey
Hii Celine can I add papaya and tarmaric pouder to my soap Batch melting soap with available in supermarket
Reply
Celine
Hi, unfortunately you can’t add any fresh papaya to melt and pour soap.
Reply
Allison Best
Can I use a infused papaya oil instead for melt and pour soap base?
Reply
Celine
I’m not sure I’ve never tried it
Reply
sanali
Will the papaya colour get caramelized?
Reply
Celine
it will get a dark orange
Reply
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
Reply
Celine
You can triple the recipe if you like. I've never used mustard seed oil, have you?
Reply
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 youReply
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 😉
Reply
