I’d always wanted to try DIY soap making but didn’t know where to start. Honestly, it seemed overwhelming at first — so much information and talk about lye! That’s when I discovered melt and pour soap, and everything clicked.
If you’re deciding between melt and pour and cold process soap, here’s a breakdown to help you choose the method that suits your soap-making style!
🔥 Why Choose Melt and Pour Soap?
✅ Melt and pour soap is super beginner-friendly.
✅ No need to handle lye — yay for safer soap making!
✅ Quick process — just melt, add colour or fragrance, pour, and let cool.
✅ Ready in hours, not weeks!
Perfect for small projects or if you want fast results.
🧑🔬 What About Cold Process Soap?
✅ Full control over every ingredient — from oils to scents.
✅ Richer, longer-lasting soap bars.
✅ Customizable formulas for moisturising, exfoliating, or scented soaps.
⚠ Cold process requires handling lye and a longer cure time (4-6 weeks).
🎨 Customization Options
• Melt and pour soap: Easy to add colours, fragrances, and fun extras like oats or honey. The base formula stays the same.
• Cold process soap: Full freedom to design your recipe from scratch — choose oils, butters, and additives exactly how you want.
🌿 Ingredients Comparison
• Melt and pour: Typically made with glycerine — great for moisturizing. Some bases include shea butter or goat’s milk.
• Cold process: Choose natural oils (olive, coconut) and essential oils. No synthetic additives unless you choose to add them.
⚡ Texture & Performance
• Melt and pour: Smooth texture, gentle on skin, but may not last as long.
• Cold process: Luxurious feel, harder bar, longer-lasting soap.
🛡 Safety
• Melt and pour: No lye handling = safer for beginners. Just take care when melting (it gets hot!).
• Cold process: Requires gloves, goggles, and ventilation due to lye.
💸 Cost
• Melt and pour: Slightly more expensive per bar (since you buy pre-made base) — ideal for small batches.
• Cold process: Higher upfront cost, but cheaper for larger batches over time.
💡 Final Thoughts
Here’s how I see it: it’s like making a curry — whether you use a base or cook from scratch, you’re still creating something delicious!
Melt and pour soap works best for me — it’s easy, creative, and fits my busy life alongside candle making. My customers love it, and I love making it!
Both methods are fun. The best one? The one that fits your style!
💬 What’s Your Favourite Way to Make Soap?
Let me know in the comments!