Goat Milk Honey Cold Process Soap Recipe

Create a luxuriously creamy bar that combines the soothing properties of goat milk with the nourishing benefits of honey. Goat milk has been used in skincare for thousands of years and is renowned for its ability to soothe eczema, psoriasis, and other irritated skin conditions. When combined with honey's moisturizing and antibacterial properties, you get a bar that's gentle, creamy, and exceptionally conditioning. Perfect for sensitive, reactive, and dry skin, this recipe produces a bar that feels as good as it performs.

Ingredients

Oils & Butters

• 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

Lye Solution

• 4.7 oz (133g) sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• 9 oz (255g) frozen goat milk (partially thawed so it's slushy)
• 2.0 oz (57g) distilled water

Additives (Optional)

• 2.0 tbsp (30ml) raw honey (added at trace)
• 0.6 oz (17g) fragrance oil (vanilla, honey, chamomile, or unscented)
• 0.5 tsp (2ml) mica or oxide colorant (cream or rose recommended)
• Dried goat milk powder (0.5 tsp for extra creaminess)

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 (for cooling lye-goat milk solution)
• Freezer with ice trays
• Soap cutter or serrated knife
• Vinegar (for cleanup)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Goat Milk

The night before making soap, freeze 9 oz of goat milk (whole milk, not powdered) in ice cube trays or a shallow pan. You want it completely frozen. Goat milk accelerates trace rapidly, so you'll need to keep the lye solution very cool.

Step 2: Safety Preparation

Put on safety goggles and chemical-resistant gloves. Set up your workspace with ice pack nearby. Have all equipment ready and within reach. Ensure good ventilation.

Step 3: Create Lye-Goat Milk Solution

This step requires care, as goat milk and lye interact dramatically. Remove the frozen goat milk from the freezer and allow it to become slushy (about 50% frozen, 50% liquid). Place the slushy goat milk in a stainless steel pot.

Very slowly, and while stirring constantly, add 4.7 oz of sodium hydroxide to the frozen goat milk. Work carefully and slowly—the lye will heat the milk rapidly. As you add the lye, the goat milk will warm significantly. Once all lye is incorporated, immediately place the pot on ice or in an ice bath to cool the mixture to 85-95°F (cooler than standard recipes to prevent the milk proteins from breaking down).

Step 4: Prepare Oil Blend

While the lye-milk solution is cooling, 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 to combine. Heat slowly to 85-95°F, matching the temperature of your lye-goat milk solution. Lower temperatures are crucial for preserving goat milk's beneficial properties.

Step 5: Combine at Cool Temperature

Once both solutions reach 85-95°F, slowly pour the lye-goat milk solution into the oils while stirring steadily. Continue stirring for 1-2 minutes to ensure complete incorporation. You're working at lower temperatures to protect the milk proteins.

Step 6: Stick Blend Quickly

Using your stick blender, pulse for 20 seconds, then stir by hand for 30 seconds. Continue this very brief pulsing pattern. Goat milk soap traces extremely quickly—you should reach light trace in just 2-5 minutes of work. Be ready to pour soon.

Step 7: Add Honey at Light Trace

At light trace, gently stir in 2 tbsp of raw honey. Don't use the stick blender, as this can accelerate the thick trace. Fold the honey in carefully with a spoon.

Step 8: Add Fragrance and Color

Add your 0.6 oz of fragrance oil and stir by hand for about one minute. The soap will likely be quite thick by now. Quickly add colorant mixed with a tiny amount of oil, stirring gently to distribute.

Step 9: Pour Immediately

Pour the soap into your mold without delay. Goat milk soap thickens rapidly, so have your mold ready. Use a spatula to smooth the top as much as possible, though you may have limited time.

Step 10: Keep Cool

Unlike other soaps, goat milk soap should NOT be heavily insulated. Instead, keep the mold in a cool location (60-70°F) to prevent overheating, which can damage the milk proteins and cause discoloration. Some makers use a cool water bath or place the mold in a cooler.

Step 11: Wait for Initial Set

Leave the soap undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Goat milk soaps may not go through full gel phase—this is normal. Don't insulate; instead, keep the environment cool and stable.

Step 12: Unmold Carefully

After 12-24 hours, carefully remove the soap from the mold. The soap should be firm enough to handle. Be gentle, as goat milk soaps can be slightly more delicate than standard soaps.

Step 13: Cut Into Bars

Using a soap cutter or sharp serrated knife, cut the loaf into 24 equal bars. Work carefully and steadily. The soap may be creamier and slightly softer than standard bars, so move with intention.

Step 14: Air Cure

Place bars on a well-ventilated rack with space between each one. Cure in a cool location (60-75°F) for 4-6 weeks. Keep away from direct heat or sunlight, which can discolor goat milk soaps.

Tips for Success

• Frozen goat milk is essential—it keeps the lye solution cool and prevents the milk from scorching
• Work quickly once the lye and milk are combined; this batch will trace very rapidly
• Lower temperatures prevent discoloration and preserve the milk's beneficial properties
• Goat milk soaps are often creamier in color with a subtle, warm tone
• Don't insulate goat milk soap; instead, keep it cool
• The lye-goat milk combination may brown slightly—this is normal oxidation of milk proteins
• Goat milk soaps may have a slight natural "milky" scent; this is normal
• Some discoloration is normal for goat milk soap and doesn't affect quality
• Cure in a cool location away from heat and direct sunlight

Variations

• Goat milk lavender: Add lavender essential oil and dried lavender buds for calming
• Goat milk honey oatmeal: Add 0.5 oz of finely ground oatmeal for gentle exfoliation
• Goat milk chamomile: Use chamomile fragrance for a soothing herbal bar
• Goat milk vanilla honey: Combine vanilla fragrance with honey for a creamy dessert scent

Cost Breakdown

Estimated Cost per Bar: $0.55

Related Recipes

• Coconut Milk Soap - Creamy alternative without goat milk
• Turmeric Honey Soap - Honey-featured recipe without milk
• Basic Cold Process Soap - Standard recipe for comparison

Skin Health Benefits: Goat milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, improving skin texture and appearance. It's high in fat and protein, making it deeply moisturizing. The pH of goat milk is closer to human skin than cow milk, making it exceptionally gentle. Combined with honey's antioxidants and antibacterial properties, this soap is outstanding for eczema, psoriasis, acne, and sensitive skin conditions.

Sourcing Note: Use whole goat milk (fresh or frozen) rather than powdered for this recipe. Some soapmakers use powdered goat milk stirred into water, but fresh frozen milk provides superior results and maintains more of the beneficial compounds.