Veganism is not simply a diet, it’s a lifestyle. Vegans not only abstain from eating meat and other animal by-products such as eggs and diary, but they also avoid using animal-derived goods such as leather, wool, silk and any cosmetics containing animal product or that have been tested on animals.
In the old days, soap was made with a combination of animal fat and lye. Even today, many traditional soap recipes still use lard or tallow instead of vegetable oils. But it’s perfectly possible to make all-vegetable soaps that are just as good — if not better — than animal-based soaps.
There are several recipes on this site that are made with vegetable oils only, but some of them also use additives such as milk, honey or beeswax. While you can can easily omit those ingredients or substitute them for vegan alternatives, here’s a ready-to-make recipe that is both delicious and cruelty-free:
Basic Vegan Soap Recipe
- 16 oz. coconut oil
- 16 oz. palm oil
- 13.5 oz. olive oil
- 16 oz. distilled water
- 6.5 oz. lye (NaOH)
Mix lye solution into oils when both are at around 95-100 degrees F. At trace, add your desired EO, FO or just leave it unscented. Pour into mold(s). Leave 18-24 hours. Unmold and allow to cure for 3-4 weeks.
