Coconut Oil in Soap Making: Benefits, Percentages, and Formulation Tips

Quick Answer

Coconut oil in soap creates excellent lather and hardness but can be drying at high percentages. Standard usage: 15-30% of oils in a recipe. Maximum for skin soap: 33%. For high-coconut (100%) soap, use 20% superfat to prevent dryness. SAP value (NaOH): 0.178.

Why Coconut Oil Is Popular in Soap Making

Coconut oil is a soap making staple because it contributes:

• Big, fluffy lather - Creates the bubbles people expect from soap
• Cleansing power - Effective at cutting grease and dirt
• Hardness - Makes firm, long-lasting bars
• Lather in hard water - Performs where other oils struggle
• Affordability - Relatively inexpensive in bulk

Few other oils provide this combination of benefits.

The Science: Lauric Acid

Coconut oil is approximately 50% lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that:

• Produces copious, fluffy lather
• Creates very hard bars
• Has strong cleansing properties
• Lathers even in salt water

This unique fatty acid profile is why coconut oil behaves differently than other common soap oils.

Types of Coconut Oil for Soap

76 Degree Coconut Oil (Standard)

• Melts at 76 degrees F
• Most common for soap making
• Full coconut scent and properties
• SAP: 0.178

92 Degree Coconut Oil (Hydrogenated)

• Melts at 92 degrees F
• Firmer at room temperature
• Slightly different SAP: 0.170
• Less common in soap

Fractionated Coconut Oil (MCT)

• Always liquid
• Different fatty acid profile
• Lower cleansing properties
• SAP: 0.174
• Not interchangeable with standard coconut oil

Virgin vs. Refined

For soap, refined is typically sufficient since the coconut scent fades anyway.

Optimal Percentages

Standard Soap Recipes: 15-30%

Most balanced recipes contain 15-30% coconut oil:

Maximum for Regular Soap: 33%

Above 33%, coconut oil's cleansing power can strip natural oils from skin, causing:

• Tight, dry feeling
• Potential irritation
• Reduced skin comfort

100% Coconut Oil Soap (Special Case)

Pure coconut oil soap is possible with high superfat:

Requirements:

• 20% superfat (prevents excessive dryness)
• Produces very hard, cleansing bars
• Popular for laundry soap, marine soap, or personal preference

Trade-offs:

• Still drying for some skin types
• Limited conditioning
• Not for sensitive skin without testing

Balancing Coconut Oil in Recipes

Pairing with Conditioning Oils

Balance coconut oil's cleansing with moisturizing oils:

Example Balanced Recipe

A well-balanced recipe for normal skin:

Low-Coconut Options

For very sensitive or dry skin, reduce coconut to 10-15%:

Coconut Oil and Soap Characteristics

Contribution Chart

Too Much Coconut: Warning Signs

Your recipe may have too much coconut if:

• Skin feels tight/stripped after washing
• Users complain of dryness
• Soap feels "squeaky clean" in a bad way

Solution: Reduce coconut percentage or increase superfat.

Special Applications

Salt Bars

Salt bars require high coconut oil (80-100%) because:

• Salt inhibits lather from most oils
• Coconut lathers even with salt
• Creates very hard, long-lasting bars

Typical salt bar formula: 80% coconut, 20% other oils, with salt at 50-100% of oil weight.

Laundry Soap

For laundry use, high coconut (up to 100%) is desirable:

• Strong cleansing action
• Hardness for grating
• Dryness not a concern for clothes

Shampoo Bars

Coconut oil contributes needed lather, but:

• Keep at 15-25% to prevent hair dryness
• Balance with conditioning oils
• Consider apple cider vinegar rinse for users

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Much for Facial Soap

Facial skin is more sensitive. For face bars:

• Limit coconut to 10-15%
• Or omit entirely for very sensitive skin
• High superfat helps but doesn't completely solve dryness

Mistake 2: Using Wrong Type

Using fractionated coconut oil (MCT) instead of 76 degree coconut oil dramatically changes your soap. MCT lacks lauric acid and doesn't provide the same lather or hardness.

Mistake 3: Same Percentage for All Recipes

Different products need different formulations:

• Body soap: 20-30%
• Face soap: 10-15%
• Baby/sensitive: 0-10%
• Utility/laundry: 80-100%

Mistake 4: Not Adjusting for Superfat

100% coconut oil soap at 5% superfat is very drying. Increase to 20% superfat for 100% coconut recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make soap without coconut oil?

Yes. Other oils can provide lather (castor) and hardness (palm, tallow, cocoa butter). Coconut-free soap won't lather as abundantly but can still be quality soap.

What can I substitute for coconut oil?

For lather: castor oil (up to 10%), babassu oil (similar properties). For hardness: palm oil, tallow, lard. No single oil perfectly replaces coconut.

Why does my coconut oil soap crack?

100% coconut can crack if:

• Water discount too aggressive
• Unmolded too late
• Temperature shock during cure

Is coconut oil soap good for acne?

Mixed results. The cleansing can help oily skin, but coconut oil may be comedogenic for some. Test individually.

How do I know if I'm using too much coconut?

Your skin will tell you. If soap leaves skin tight, dry, or irritated, reduce coconut percentage in your next batch.

Does coconut oil soap lather in hard water?

Yes, better than most oils. This is one of coconut oil's major advantages for people in hard water areas.

Conclusion

Coconut oil is a powerful soap making ingredient that provides unmatched lather and cleansing. The key is using it in appropriate amounts for your intended use—balanced recipes for skin care, higher percentages for specialty applications.

Understanding how coconut oil interacts with other ingredients helps you formulate recipes that clean effectively without over-stripping skin's natural oils.

Track how different coconut percentages perform in your recipes using batch records. Over time, you'll find the sweet spot for your formulas and your customers' skin.