There really aren’t very many basic components in melt-n-pour soap but understanding what those are is important if you’re serious about taking up this hobby. It’s also helpful to understand what a recipe means when it uses a generic term.
The essential ingredients to melt-n-pour soap are:
Soap base
Dye
Fragrance or Scent
Additives
Melt-n-Pour (MP) soap base is basically plain soap designed to be melted and re-solidified. The MP bases can come in all kinds of different compounds but most of them come in either clear or white. Look for a quality base that doesn’t feel like plastic instead of soap, lathers well, and leaves your skin feeling good.
Dye is what gives your melt-n-pour soap its color. Dyes can come in small chips that you add to the base and melt, liquids, gels, and shavings. All dyes for soapmaking should be water based and not oil based. Always be sure to check that whatever dye you’re using is soap safe.
Fragrances and scents can come in many different forms. This is one area that can be confusing. There is a vast difference between fragrances and essential oils, which are the most common forms used to scent melt-n-pour soap. Fragrances and/or scents are generally man made, while essential oils are extracted from natural ingredients such as plants and flowers. You never want to use flavored extracts, potpourri oils or candle scents in your soaps or any other bath product.
Additives are the extras that you put into your soaps. They can be different kinds oils such as olive oil or aloe vera oil. They can also be natural clays, spices, flowers buds or leaves. Anything additional in soap is an additive. Yes, dyes and fragrances are additives but not what is generally referred to as an additive in a soapmaking recipe.
With these basic ingredients you have unlimited possibilities in making soap. As always start simple and learn the basics. Once you’ve mastered the basics, get creative and have fun. Using a bar of soap that you made can bring great personal satisfaction. It’s a hobby that is a lot of fun and can really help you be frugal as well. There are lots and lots of positives to making your soap.
Check out the articles:
Essential Tools for Melt N Pour Soap
Essential Instructions for Melt N Pour Soapmaking
Additives Glossary
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