Buttermilk Handmade Small Batch Cold Process Soap

Ingredients (INCI):
Sodium Olivate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Palmate, Sodium Shea Butterate, Sodium Cocoa Butterate, Sodium Castorate, Fragrance, Kaolin, Buttermilk

Key Ingredients: Olive Oil

Sodium olivate, sodium cocoate, sodium avocadate, sodium ricinate, sodium shea butterate, sodium cocoa butterate, sodium castorate, fragrance, citrus aurantium amara, and kaolin clay. Sodium lactate can be added to the lye solution to help with unmolding and to decrease the time soap needs to remain in the mold.

This gentle soap is crafted with nourishing olive oil and coconut oil, along with a blend of moisturizing oils and butters for enhanced lather and skin softness. Kaolin clay provides mild cleansing, while buttermilk soothes and conditions sensitive skin. Buttermilk contains beneficial vitamins like A, D, B2 (riboflavin), and B12, along with probiotics, which contribute to its nourishing properties. Buttermilk is high in lactic acid, which helps to gently exfoliate and brighten skin.

Buttermilk powder or powdered buttermilk can be used as an alternative to fresh buttermilk for a creamy, nourishing effect. When using buttermilk in soapmaking, it is recommended to hydrate buttermilk powder with distilled water before adding it to the soap mixture. It’s important to have your buttermilk ready—either fresh or reconstituted—and to use it in a slushy or frozen state for best results. Using slushy buttermilk, which you achieve by freeze-ing the buttermilk beforehand, helps control the temperature and reduces unpleasant odors when mixing with lye water. Natural sugar and honey in buttermilk contribute to the soap’s creamy lather, boost lather, and help control heat during saponification.

When working with different types of milk, such as coconut milk, goat milk, or almond milk, always ensure your liquid ingredients are chilled or in a slushy state to prevent scorching and maintain quality. This formulation is inspired by traditional cold process soap recipes, which can be customized with different milks and oils.

Leaves skin feeling clean, soft, and lightly scented with citrus. Each bar is made in small batches using a carefully developed soap recipe to ensure quality and consistency. This formulation is gentle enough for sensitive skin and can be used as a baby soap. The soap making process is designed to preserve the gentle qualities of buttermilk and other nourishing ingredients. Kaolin contributes to a smooth, gentle cleanse, making it ideal for babies and anyone seeking a great soap for delicate skin. Buttermilk provides natural, gentle exfoliation through lactic acid, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. The mildness and safety of this soap make it suitable even for baby care. Buttermilk soap can have a creamy, luxurious feel due to the natural fats and proteins present in it.

Lather onto wet skin, massage, and rinse.

This bar is one of our finished soaps, handcrafted with care as part of our collection. During the final steps, we carefully pour the soap batter into the mold, using controlled pouring techniques to minimize air bubbles and ensure a smooth, professional finish. To prevent soda ash—a white, powdery residue that can form on the surface of cold process soap—spray the top of the soap with rubbing alcohol immediately after pouring. Controlling soda ash helps maintain a clean, attractive appearance. If you are adding decorative embeds, you can melt a small amount of melt & pour soap and use it to attach the embeds securely to the surface, or pour soap over the embeds to bond them in place. Soap should be allowed to cure for at least 6 weeks in a well ventilated area before use to ensure proper saponification and hardness. When proper techniques are used, buttermilk soap can have a lovely, pale, natural color.

For more tips on curing and finishing cold process soap, check out our detailed blog post.

Its lively citrus aroma and creamy texture make it a refreshing favourite.

This great soap’s lively aroma is achieved with carefully selected fragrances and essential oil, enhancing both scent longevity and appeal.