Homemade soaps are increasingly popular because they are free from harmful chemicals, contain natural ingredients, and are environmentally friendly. Natural soaps are easy to make and sell and only require a few items to get started. Here are some key soap making supplies for your small business:
Soap Bases
Bulk Apothecary offers a large selection of melt-and-pour soap bases, including goat’s milk, cocoa butter, and aloe vera. Standard white or clear soap bases are odor-neutral and handle fragrance additives well. Bases with extra virgin olive oil, like the Castile Soap Base, often produce firm bars of soap travelers prefer. Some bases are made with shea butter or goat’s milk, which help improve skin moisture or sensitivity. We also stock specialty soap bases, such as oatmeal for exfoliation, high-lather shaving soap, and shampoo.
Glycerin is added to most options, which could make soap more soothing and hydrating. It also helps remove natural colors from soap bases, making it easy to add colors. All melt-and-pour bases are ready to use, melt quickly, and can be customized with additives.
Additives
Homemade soap is easy to customize with scents, colors, and botanicals. Bulk Apothecary stocks unique soap making supplies, such as seeds and dried plant products that add to your soaps and help your business stand out. Chia seeds work as an exfoliant, and fennel seeds have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Adding dried kelp can provide antioxidants that protect it from damage. Here are some other common soap additives:
Scents
We have a large collection of fragrance oils, including fruity, floral, spicy, and earthy scents. Fragrance oils are designed for maximum scent retention in our melt-and-pour soap bases, so each bar has a long-lasting fragrance. Scents like lavender, rose, and vanilla are often popular selections. We also carry many pre-mixed aromas, such as Buttercream Icing, Caribbean Escape, and Christmas Splendor. Rosemary oil is frequently used with shampoo soap bases because the oil promotes hair growth.
Colors
Adding color helps to draw a customer’s eye to your soap products. You can choose solid colors or blend them for new shades. You also have the option of adding layers for a more unique look. Bulk Apothecary offers two options for coloring your homemade soaps:
- All-natural mica colors: Mica colors are best when creating layers of colored soap in a single bar since they will not migrate or bleed.
- Soap color bars: Like mica, these colors will not migrate between layers but are easy to use. Color bars can be melted with your melt-and-pour base and stirred together to create an even shade.
Botanicals
Dried botanicals like flower petals, leaves, or lemon peel add visual appeal to your soap bars and benefit the skin. Rose petals can help soothe, clean, and heal the skin, and suspended red or pink petals add color to a bar of soap. Adding dried lemongrass leaves might improve the skin’s healing process. Lemon peel is a good source of vitamin C, which is a strong antioxidant that might help prevent skin damage. The rough texture of black walnut hulls can act as an exfoliant, and they have antifungal properties that may be beneficial in fighting athlete’s foot.
Molds
After you have created your base, soaps can be poured into plastic or silicone molds for added texture, design, or shape. Designs help to indicate the type of soap, its scent, or a seasonal celebration. Many soap molds are trays that divide a batch of soap into six to sixteen square or rectangular bars. Individual molds are also available and are imprinted with specialty designs, such as a sand dollar, farm animals, or a dragon. The silicone loaf soap mold is a common choice for new and well-established soap making businesses. This mold requires a single pour and, once set, can be cut with a straight or wavy soap cutter for a professional finish.
Packaging
When packaging your soap, you want to label and wrap your product in high-quality boxes, bags, or other materials that add professionalism to your brand. Our shrink-wrap plastic bags are easy to use and fit a range of soap bar shapes and sizes. Clear packaging allows customers to see the layered colors to the floating botanicals before buying. Rectangular or square paper boxes are eco-friendly and allow customers to view your soap. If you are packaging soap for a special event, you might opt for burlap, organza, or muslin drawstring bags, along with a personalized tag that contains ingredients, scents, and your logo.
Choose the Best Soap Making Supplies
Whether you’re an established soap maker or new to the business, it is best to prioritize quality soap bases and additives so your product stands above the competition. At Bulk Apothecary, we source the finest ingredients from ethical producers so your soaps retain fragrance, color, and quality long-term. Check out our full line of soap making supplies, and order your next ingredients from Bulk Apothecary.
