Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil, also known as Copra Oil, is obtained from the fruit of the cocos nucifera or coconut palm tree. This is a wonderful oil and I use it in almost all of my recipes.

A few of Coconut Oil's qualities are as follows:

• this semi-hard, white oil produces soap that is hard, cleansing and has a beautiful full lather.


• it has excellent storage qualities (lasts a long time) and produces a quick trace.


• creates an oily, protective barrier on the skin.


• great for dry and itchy skin.


• is very moisturising if you use less than 30% of it in your soap formula. Use too much and it will do the opposite, dry out your skin.

*update - Many people are now using more than the recommended 30% but are compensating by superfatting the soap up to 20%. As with most soap making ingredients, you will have to experiment to see what works best for your skin type.

This oil produces the large fluffy bubbles in a soap bar and often makes up about 30% of oils in a soap making recipe.

The chart below shows the approximate percentages of fatty acids present in Coconut Oil. As you can see, the first four acids will lend your soap an incredible amount of hardness as well as a full and stable lather that is very cleansing.

This information is provided for reference use only and is not meant to substitute the advice of a licensed health care professional.