Coconut Milk Cold Process Soap Recipe

Create a luxurious, creamy bar infused with tropical coconut milk that nourishes and moisturizes skin beautifully. Unlike regular coconut oil, coconut milk contains beneficial proteins and fats that create an exceptionally creamy lather and soften skin. This recipe produces a silky bar with a gorgeous ivory or pale golden color that's perfect for those seeking a more indulgent soap experience. The tropical coconut aroma combines with the creamy texture to create a spa-like bathing experience.

Ingredients

Oils & Butters

• 20.0 oz (567g) olive oil
• 13.0 oz (369g) coconut oil (in addition to the coconut milk)
• 12.0 oz (340g) palm oil
• 9.0 oz (255g) palm kernel oil

Lye Solution

• 4.7 oz (133g) sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• 8.0 oz (227g) full-fat coconut milk (canned or fresh)
• 3.0 oz (85g) distilled water

Additives (Optional)

• 0.6 oz (17g) fragrance oil (vanilla, coconut, or tropical scents recommended)
• 0.5 tsp (2ml) cream mica or pearlescent colorant
• Essential oils like ylang ylang or frangipani (0.3-0.4 oz)
• Shredded coconut (0.25 oz, sprinkled on top)

Equipment Needed

• Digital scale accurate to 0.1 oz
• Two stainless steel pots
• Stainless steel spoon
• Stick blender (immersion blender)
• Thermometer
• Soap mold
• Safety goggles and gloves
• Ice pack (optional, for keeping mixture cool)
• Soap cutter or serrated knife
• Vinegar (for cleanup)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Remove canned coconut milk from the refrigerator if it was chilled. You want the full-fat type with the cream that rises to the top. Measure out 8 oz of coconut milk—include the thick cream layer. Have all other ingredients measured and ready.

Step 2: Safety Setup

Put on safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves. Arrange your workspace with all equipment ready. Ensure good ventilation. Keep ice nearby, as coconut milk can accelerate the lye heating process.

Step 3: Create Lye-Coconut Milk Solution

This step requires care. Pour 3 oz of distilled water into a stainless steel pot. In a separate small cup, slowly add 4.7 oz of sodium hydroxide to the water while stirring constantly. The solution will heat rapidly to 160-180°F.

Once the lye is fully dissolved and has cooled slightly (but is still warm, around 110-120°F), slowly stir in 8 oz of coconut milk. The coconut milk will react with the warm lye, heating the mixture further. Stir constantly and allow the coconut milk to fully incorporate. The mixture may become slightly warm or even hot, but don't let it exceed 130°F or the milk proteins will brown.

Allow this lye-coconut milk solution to cool to 100-110°F. You can speed cooling by placing the pot in an ice bath.

Step 4: Prepare Oil Blend

While the lye-coconut milk solution cools, combine all oils in a separate pot:

• 20.0 oz (567g) olive oil
• 13.0 oz (369g) coconut oil
• 12.0 oz (340g) palm oil
• 9.0 oz (255g) palm kernel oil

Stir gently to combine. Slowly heat to 100-110°F, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Check Temperature

Ensure both the lye-coconut milk solution and oils reach 100-110°F. Temperature matching is important for proper saponification.

Step 6: Combine Solutions

Once both reach 100-110°F, slowly pour the lye-coconut milk solution into the oils while stirring steadily. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes to ensure complete incorporation. The mixture will begin to thicken.

Step 7: Blend to Light Trace

Using your stick blender, pulse for 30 seconds, then stir by hand for one minute. Continue alternating between pulsing and stirring for 10-12 minutes until you reach light trace. Coconut milk can accelerate trace somewhat, so monitor carefully and be ready to proceed quickly.

Step 8: Prepare and Add Colorant

Disperse 0.5 tsp of cream mica or pearlescent colorant in a small amount of oil to prevent streaking. At light trace, add the colorant mixture and stir thoroughly for about one minute.

Step 9: Add Fragrance

Add your 0.6 oz of fragrance oil or essential oil blend. Stir thoroughly for 1-2 minutes. Coconut milk soaps hold fragrance beautifully, so expect a strong, lasting scent.

Step 10: Pour Into Mold

Pour the soap batter into your prepared mold. The batter will be slightly thicker than standard recipes due to the coconut milk. Use a spatula to smooth the top. If desired, sprinkle shredded coconut on top for visual appeal and a subtle texture.

Step 11: Lightly Insulate

Unlike goat milk soap, coconut milk soap can tolerate light insulation. Wrap the mold with a blanket or towel to encourage gel phase, but don't insulate heavily—maintain moderate temperature.

Step 12: Wait 24-48 Hours

Leave the soap undisturbed for 24-48 hours. The saponification reaction will occur naturally. You may see some slight color variation or browning—this is normal with milk-containing soaps.

Step 13: Unmold the Soap

After 24-48 hours, carefully remove the soap from the mold. The soap should be firm and creamy in color. If still soft, wait another 12-24 hours before unmolding.

Step 14: Cut Into Bars

Using a soap cutter or sharp serrated knife, cut the loaf into 24 equal bars. The creamy color and visible coconut flakes (if used) create a beautiful, artisanal appearance. Work steadily for clean cuts.

Step 15: Air Cure

Place bars on a well-ventilated rack with space between each one. Cure in a cool, dry location (60-75°F) for 4-6 weeks. The color may develop slightly deeper tones during cure, and the scent will develop and mellow.

Tips for Success

• Use full-fat canned coconut milk (13-14% fat), not light or reduced-fat varieties
• The thick cream at the top of canned coconut milk is especially valuable—include it
• Keep the lye-coconut milk solution cool to prevent browning of milk proteins
• Coconut milk soaps may have slight color variation or creaminess—this is normal and adds to the artisanal appeal
• The creamy color develops from the coconut milk and fat content
• Don't exceed 100°F when combining solutions to preserve milk benefits
• Store finished soap in a cool, dry location to maintain the pale cream color
• Coconut milk adds creaminess to the lather, making these bars especially luxurious
• Some soapmakers prefer to cure coconut milk soap for 8 weeks for optimal hardness

Variations

• Coconut vanilla: Add vanilla fragrance for a creamy dessert scent
• Coconut ylang ylang: Combine coconut milk with ylang ylang essential oil for floral luxury
• Coconut honey: Add 2 tbsp of honey at trace for extra conditioning
• Tropical blend: Combine coconut milk with frangipani or tropical fragrance oils

Cost Breakdown

Estimated Cost per Bar: $0.52

Related Recipes

• Goat Milk Honey Soap - Alternative milk-based recipe
• Shea Butter Moisturizing Soap - Creamy alternative without milk
• Avocado Oil Luxury Soap - Premium moisturizing option

Tropical Beauty Benefits: Coconut milk is rich in fatty acids and proteins that nourish and moisturize skin beautifully. It's particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Combined with coconut oil in the recipe, you get double the coconut benefits—extraordinary creaminess in both lather and skin-conditioning properties. This soap is luxurious enough for special occasions but gentle enough for daily use.

Texture Profile: Coconut milk soap produces a distinctive creamy white or ivory bar that looks luxurious on any bathroom shelf. The lather is noticeably creamier than standard soaps, and the bar conditions skin while cleansing. The tropical scent options complement the coconut milk perfectly, creating an indulgent spa-like experience.