If you're looking to create luxurious, skin‑loving bars that are completely plant‑based, you've come to the right place. Below you'll find three carefully balanced recipes that showcase the creamy richness of coconut milk, the deep moisturization of shea butter, and the antioxidant power of vitamin E.
Why These Three Ingredients Shine Together
| Ingredient | Vegan Status | Skin Benefits | Typical Usage in Soap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Milk | ✔️ (derived from the flesh of mature coconuts) | Softens, soothes irritation, adds a milky lather | 15--30 % of total oil weight (as a water‑based liquid) |
| Shea Butter | ✔️ (pressed from the nuts of the shea tree) | Ultra‑rich emollient, improves skin elasticity, reduces transepidermal water loss | 5--20 % of total oil weight |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | ✔️ (often derived from soy or sunflower oil) | Antioxidant, prolongs shelf life of oils, supports skin repair | 0.5--1 % of total oil weight (as a drop‑in) |
Together they create a soap that feels silky, cleans without stripping, and stays stable in the tub for months.
General Formulation Guidelines
- Choose a Cold‑Process (CP) or Hot‑Process (HP) method -- Both work well; CP gives smoother swirls, while HP speeds up cure time.
- Mind the "milk" water content -- Coconut milk contains fats that can lead to "seizing" if added directly to lye. Use the "milk method" (freeze the milk into cubes and melt them slowly with the lye solution) to avoid this.
- Balance Superfat -- Aim for 5 % superfat when using shea butter, which is already a soft oil. This ensures extra moisturization without a greasy feel.
- Add Vitamin E at Light Trace -- Heat can degrade vitamin E, so incorporate it after the soap has cooled below 110 °F (43 °C).
Recipe #1 -- "Velvet Coconut Milk Bar" (Cold‑Process)
| Ingredient | % of Total Oil | Weight (g) for 1 kg Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Oil | 20 % | 200 g |
| Olive Oil | 30 % | 300 g |
| Shea Butter | 10 % | 100 g |
| Castor Oil | 5 % | 50 g |
| Sunflower Oil | 15 % | 150 g |
| Coconut Milk (frozen cubes) | 20 % of water phase | 200 g |
| Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | 5.7 % (adjusted for milk) | 57 g |
| Distilled Water | 30 % (including milk) | 300 g |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | 0.5 % | 5 g (≈10 drops) |
| Essential Oil (optional) | 2 % | 20 g |
Step‑by‑Step
- Freeze the coconut milk into 1‑½ in cubes. Keep them in the fridge until you're ready to start.
- Weigh all oils and shea butter . Melt the solid fats (coconut oil, shea butter) gently, then add the liquid oils.
- Prepare the lye solution : Dissolve NaOH in the measured distilled water (not including the frozen milk yet). Stir until clear.
- Milk Method : Add the frozen coconut milk cubes to the lye solution while stirring continuously. The cubes will melt, releasing their fats slowly, reducing the chance of "seizing."
- Combine : When both the oil phase and lye‑milk mixture are around 110 °F (43 °C), slowly pour the lye into the oils. Blend with a stick blender to light trace.
- Add Vitamin E and fragrance at light trace, mix briefly.
- Pour into molds , cover with a towel, then a cardboard box for 24 h.
- Unmold and cut . Cure for 4--6 weeks in a well‑ventilated area.
Recipe #2 -- "Shea‑Rich Coconut Milk Swirl" (Hot‑Process)
| Ingredient | % of Total Oil | Weight (g) for 1 kg Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Oil | 15 % | 150 g |
| Sweet Almond Oil | 25 % | 250 g |
| Shea Butter | 15 % | 150 g |
| Avocado Oil | 10 % | 100 g |
| Castor Oil | 5 % | 50 g |
| Coconut Milk (fresh, not frozen) | 20 % of water phase | 200 g |
| Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | 5.6 % (adjusted) | 56 g |
| Distilled Water | 25 % (including milk) | 250 g |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | 0.8 % | 8 g |
| Dried Lavender (optional) | 1 % | 10 g |
Step‑by‑Step
- Melt the solid fats (coconut oil, shea butter) with the liquid oils in a stockpot.
- Create the lye‑water mixture (distilled water + NaOH). Allow it to cool to ~120 °F (49 °C).
- Combine : Slowly add the lye‑water to the oil pot while stirring constantly.
- Cook : Maintain a low simmer (180‑200 °F / 82‑93 °C) for 30‑45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The soap will become translucent and thick.
- Add coconut milk near the end of the cooking time (last 5 minutes). The heat will incorporate it without seizing.
- Remove from heat . Let the mixture cool to ~130 °F (54 °C) before adding vitamin E and lavender.
- Blend quickly , then scoop into molds.
- Cover with a towel for 24 h, then unmold. Because HP soap is already "cooked," you can use it after 1‑2 weeks, though a 2‑week cure still improves hardness.
Recipe #3 -- "Gentle Daily Cleanser" (Cold‑Process, Low‑Irritation)
| Ingredient | % of Total Oil | Weight (g) for 1 kg Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Oil | 10 % | 100 g |
| Olive Oil | 35 % | 350 g |
| Shea Butter | 12 % | 120 g |
| Hemp Seed Oil | 8 % | 80 g |
| Goat‑Milk‑Free Coconut Milk (1 : 1 coconut‑water blend) | 18 % of water phase | 180 g |
| Distilled Water | 28 % (including milk) | 280 g |
| Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | 5.5 % (adjusted) | 55 g |
| Vitamin E (Tocopherol) | 0.5 % | 5 g |
| Peppermint Essential Oil | 1 % | 10 g |
Highlights
- Low coconut oil reduces the chance of a "hard" bar, making it softer for delicate skin.
- Hemp seed oil adds omega‑3/6 fatty acids for extra barrier support.
- Peppermint gives a refreshing tingle without overwhelming fragrance.
Step‑by‑Step
- Follow the milk method for the coconut‑milk‑water blend as in Recipe 1.
- Maintain a 5 % superfat to keep the bar gentle while still cleansing well.
- Add vitamin E and peppermint oil at thin trace to preserve scent volatility.
Cure 5 weeks; the bar will stay supple due to the high unsaturated oil content.
Tips for Mastering Vegan Milk‑Based Soap
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Seizing (soap turns grainy) | Use the frozen‑milk method, keep stirring, and never add milk directly to hot lye. |
| Soft bars that never harden | Increase the percentage of hard oils (e.g., coconut oil or palm‑derived butter) or add a small amount of sodium lactate (2 % of total oil). |
| Rancid oils | Store all unsaturated oils (hemp seed, avocado, sunflower) in the fridge and use vitamin E as a natural antioxidant. |
| Streaky swirls | For a cleaner swirl, let the soap reach thick‑trace before adding colorants or fragrance, then swirl with a spatula quickly. |
| pH concerns | All cold‑process soaps finish curing at pH 9‑10, which is safe for the skin; a post‑cure pH test with litmus strips can confirm. |
Final Thoughts
When you combine coconut milk , shea butter , and vitamin E , you're not just making a soap---you're crafting a mini‑spa experience in a bar. The milk supplies a luscious creaminess, shea butter locks in moisture, and vitamin E protects both the product and the user's skin from oxidative stress.
Experiment with the ratios, swap in your favorite plant‑based essential oils, and let your creativity swirl. With the groundwork laid out above, you now have three reliable, vegan‑friendly foundations to build a whole line of artisanal soaps that feel indulgent and stay kind to the planet.
Happy lathering! 🌿🧼