Palm Oil: the traditional soap-maker's oil
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Palm oil is a bit of a specialist. You won't often reach for it in a lotion or a facial oil, but for soap-makers it's a real workhorse.
What it does
It's firm at room temperature and, in cold-process soap, it contributes a hard, long-lasting bar with a stable, creamy lather. It's the classic 'trinity' oil alongside olive and coconut in traditional soap recipes, giving structure and staying power.
How to use it
- In cold-process and melt-and-pour soap for a harder bar
- Typically a portion of the oils in a soap recipe, balanced with softer oils
A word on sourcing
Palm has a real environmental story attached to it, so it matters where it comes from. Where you can, choose sustainably sourced (RSPO-certified) palm — and if you'd rather avoid it altogether, tallow-free bars can be built on other hard oils and butters instead. I'm always happy to talk options.
Steph x