Collection: Solid Oils

When it comes to oils for soap making, there’s a long list to choose from! Which works best all boils down to your recipe requirements and desired end result - for example, how fluffy you’d like your lather to be.

Your main selection can be split up into two categories - hard and soft oils. Some recipes call for just one type, whilst others combine them. The former is solid at room temperature and can provide firmness and stability whilst the latter creates a smooth, silky feeling final product whilst liquifying at room temperature.  

Popular hard oils for soap making include coconut oil, babassu oil, mango butter, palm oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, whilst olive, apricot, castor, and avocado oil are often used as soft options. 

Which solid oil is best for you depends entirely on what you’re looking to make! Whilst many solid oils can be used in their natural form as a moisturising balm for the skin or lips, others are more suited to certain uses than their counterparts. For example, coconut oil’s creamy qualities and fluffy lather make it the perfect solidifying addition to soap, whilst shea butter’s ‘melt on touch’ consistency is the secret behind its popularity in lip balms. 

Some of the most popular solid oils in the bath and body sphere besides the above include mango butter, cocoa butter, babassu oil, and kokum butter - all of which are rich in the natural fats and fatty acids needed to create some beautiful cosmetics, toiletries, and more.

When shopping around for solid oils, our experts recommend using the following checklist:

Does the supplier offer the type of solid oil you need?

Different solid oils work best for different recipes. If you’re in need of mango butter, for example, make sure your supplier stocks it! Be sure to double-check for variations including refined/unrefined and quantities. 

Is the solid oil offered high-quality?

The quality of your solid oil will directly affect your finished soap. Make sure your chosen product is up to scratch! 

How is the oil sourced? 

Solid oils are shipped in from all corners of the world - meaning some can be subject to unethical sourcing practices. Read up on your suppliers’ standards and commitments. 

What shipment costs are incurred?

Buying in bulk? Solid oils are a heavy item to ship. Avoid unexpected costs - ask your supplier about their delivery policies. 

Does the supplier have a strong reputation?

Whilst suppliers can shout from the rooftops about their brilliant products, customer reviews are a great way to discover the very best. 

Are you paying the right price?

Fancy packaging and marketing can add huge unnecessary costs to your otherwise simple solid oils. Ensure you’re paying a reasonable price for your order. 

Whilst oils are generally a liquid fat, there are some out there that remain solid at room temperature - known fittingly as ‘solid oils’ or ‘saturated fats’. Derived from both plant (e.g. nuts, kernels, and trees) and animal sources, each of these solid fats has different properties when it comes to crafting - however, all remain relatively hard in ‘normal’ conditions due to their high saturated fatty acid content. 

Some of the most well-known solid oils or ‘fats’ include coconut oil, mango butter, shea butter, babassu oil, and kokum butter.

There’s no one ‘best’ butter out there when it comes to hair. Each type is best suited to different kinds of locks, from all-natural to damaged and dry – meaning it’s important to carefully consider what you add to your formula. 

Cocoa butter is a common addition to formulas working to protect, nourish, and add shine to hair. It can often be seen in pomade-type products, within which it can be combined with plant waxes to create a gel-like consistency. Its moisturising properties can also help those suffering from dry scalps! 

Shea butter is another sure bet for many hair-nourishing creations, helping soften, smooth, and moisturise thanks to its palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid content.

Mango butter is another wonderful moisturiser. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E alongside oleic acid, it keeps strands healthy and hydrated. 

Oil isn’t necessarily the only contributor to a soap’s bubbliness, but it can certainly aid in creating a foamy lather when the right type is used - especially when it comes to all-natural soaps. The ‘bubbliest’ solid oils for hard soap bar making include coconut oil, palm oil and babassu oil - many of which perform best when mixed with a soft oil like castor. 

The retained glycerine in natural soap also contributes to bubbles! 

For further advice on creating soap with a good lather, why not visit The Soapery blog?

Most solid oils have life spans measured in years- meaning one order can last a long time when stored correctly! With this being said, like all fats, solid oil can ‘go off’, or, more accurately, go rancid.  

In essence, rancid fats have deteriorated, meaning they may look and smell different. Telltale signs include changes in colour (e.g. coconut oil can change from white or clear to a yellow or tan shade), a bitter or unusual smell, and changes in texture - although oftentimes grittiness can be a result of temperature changes rather than rancidity. 

Please note that colour variation on the arrival of your product isn’t necessarily a sign of it being ‘off’ either! For example, unrefined shea butter can be anything from white or pale yellow and still be okay to use!  

Most solid oils and fats tend to have a relatively long shelf life - with refined versions typically lasting longer than their unrefined counterparts. With so many types available, there’s no way to name one universal solid oil lifespan - however, the vast majority can last for years at a time depending on how effectively they’re stored. 

Want your solid oil to last for as long as possible? Keep in a cool, dark environment with consistent temperature to avoid melting where possible. To further this, make sure your packaging is airtight! 

Babassu oil is a cream-coloured solid fat rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants - often used in bath and body product making. It starts life in the kernels of the Babassu tree - from which it can be naturally extracted and packaged. Solid at room temperature, it melts on touch and absorbs easily into the skin - making it an excellent addition to skincare products, soaps, and some haircare products.      

Its solid, moisturising properties allow it to create similar results to coconut oil and palm oil.