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My journey to making Palm Oil Free Soap –
I’ve been making my own soap for about 25 years. In fact, it was when our oldest daughter was about two (she’s now 27) that I took my very first soap-making class. Needless to say, I was instantly hooked! I couldn’t get enough.
There were just so many possibilities when it came to soap formulas and scents, and I wanted to try them all. Sometimes I think I have tried them all—and then I’ll stumble across a new recipe or discover an essential oil I haven’t used before, and I’m head over heels all over again. If you’re already a soaper, I know you get it. And if you’re just starting out, you will soon!
Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless oil combinations in search of the perfect bar—one that’s firm, has a creamy lather, and isn’t too drying on the skin. In those early years, I found that Palm oil helped me achieve just that, and for a long time, it became a staple in my recipes.
But after about a decade of soapmaking, I started hearing more about the environmental impact of Palm oil through the soapmaking grapevine. I knew I needed to learn more. After all, part of what drew me to making my own soap in the first place was the desire to create more mindful, earth-conscious products for myself and my family. That’s when I began shifting toward what would eventually become a full commitment to palm oil free soap—and I’ve never looked back.
Here’s what I learned:
- Palm oil production has become the worlds leading cause of rainforest destruction.
- Unregulated and unchecked, Palm oil producers have pushed Palm oil plantations into some of the worlds most culturally and biologically diverse ecosystems, thereby destroying these precious habitats
- Palm oil is among the biggest threat to nearly extinct animal species such as the Indonesian Sumatran Orangutan.
- The destruction of the rainforest, as a result of Palm oil plantation expansion, is responsible for releasing alarming amounts of carbon pollution into the atmosphere.
- The production of Palm oil is responsible for human rights violations against Indigenous people who have been forcibly removed from their homes by the companies who make Palm oil production their business.
So what about sustainable Palm oil? Isn’t it any better?
From my research on the subject, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a multi-stakeholder certifcation system, was created to determine if companies who are producing Palm oil are using sustainable farming practices.
The problem with the RSPO however, is that the standards they use to determine if a member company is ‘certifed sustainable’ have been found to have major flaws. Even more alarming is that the RSPO has been found out to have certified companies that are responsible for destroying rainforests and peatlands and causing high greenhouse gas emissions.
In good conscious I cannot trust the ‘sustainable Palm oil’ certification and why for the foreseeable future I will not be using Palm oil in my soap recipes.
As much as I loved the properties Palm oil brought to my soap, I knew I couldn’t continue using it once I understood the environmental and ethical costs. It wasn’t an easy decision at first.
I had spent years perfecting my recipes with Palm oil—it gave me the hardness I wanted, and the lather was just right. But the whole reason I started making my own soap was to create something more mindful, more intentional. Products I could feel good about using on my skin and sharing with others. Once I knew better, I had to do better.
So, I went back to the drawing board.
I started reworking my recipes, one batch at a time, to remove Palm oil and replace it with more sustainable alternatives. Let me tell you—it was a journey. Some batches were too soft. Some didn’t lather enough. Some took forever to cure. But eventually, through a whole lot of trial and error, I found combinations that worked beautifully. And not only did I feel better about what I was making—I was also reminded that the creative process is half the fun.
What I Use Instead of Palm Oil
Now, instead of Palm, I rely on a blend of nourishing oils and butters that are not only better for the planet, but also wonderfully kind to the skin. My favorites include:
🌿 Olive Oil – a gentle, moisturizing oil that makes a creamy, conditioning bar.
🌿 Coconut Oil – adds a lovely, fluffy lather and firmness to the bar (though I use it mindfully since it can be drying in large amounts).
🌿 Shea Butter – rich and luxurious, this helps boost hardness and adds a silky finish.
🌿 Castor Oil – a little goes a long way! Castor oil supercharges the lather and gives the soap a rich, bubbly feel.
🌿 Sweet Almond Oil – lightweight and packed with vitamins, this oil brings a soft, silky feel to soap and is especially soothing for sensitive skin.
🌿 Avocado Oil or Sunflower Oil – skin-loving and full of nutrients, these help round out the recipe with extra nourishment and conditioning.
Through all this, I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for local and regional ingredients. Whenever I can, I source oils and botanicals that are closer to home, supporting small growers and reducing my environmental footprint even further.
Why This Matters
For me, soapmaking isn’t just a hobby—it’s an extension of how I choose to live my life. It’s about staying connected to the earth, making mindful choices, and living with greater awareness of how my actions ripple outward. Every small shift—like removing Palm oil—might not feel revolutionary on its own, but when more of us make these shifts, the collective impact is powerful.
And maybe just as importantly, it brings the joy and integrity back into the process. Every time I stir a batch of soap, I feel that same spark I did all those years ago when I first fell in love with the craft. Only now, there’s a deeper layer of meaning behind every bar.
Thinking About Making Palm-Free Soap?
If you’re a soapmaker considering a switch away from Palm oil, I want to encourage you—it is possible to make beautiful, luxurious soap without it. Will it take some experimenting? Probably. Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
There are so many creative ways to blend oils and fats to get the qualities you’re after. And there’s a certain pride that comes with knowing your bars are not only nourishing to the skin, but also aligned with your values.
More to Explore: Palm Oil Free Soap Recipes
Looking for inspiration to start your own palm oil free soap journey? I’ve shared several of my favorite tried-and-true recipes over the years. Each one is crafted with love, intention, and ingredients that honor the earth.
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