How to Make Fresh Aloe Vera Soap + Aloe Vera Facial Soap Recipe

Want to make fresh aloe soap?

This tutorial is for you.

I have also included a recipe for mild aloe vera soap, as well as a number of ideas on how to substitute ingredients.

Fresh aloe vera gel can be used in place of water to make cold-process soaps.

If you don’t have a nearby aloe plant, where can you get one? You can find aloe in the produce section at local supermarkets – I get mine from Kroger.

How to make Soap from fresh aloe

1. The aloe leaves can be cut into multiple sections.
2. Separate the inner gel and outer skin by running a knife along the inside edge of each area.
3. Press the gel out of the leaf with your fingers or spoon.
4. Place in a blender or small food processor.
5. Then, continue to process until the mixture is smooth. It will become fluffy and almost like egg whites.
6. If you plan to make Soap in the next few days, store it in the fridge. Or freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage.

Affiliate links are included on this website. I only promote products that I use and like. As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Aloe vera facial soap

This Soap is designed to be extra-gentle and can be used as a body and facial Soap.

This is a small batch that fills exactly 5 of the six cavities in the oval silicon mold by Bramble Berry. You could also double the amount to fit into a loaf mold like THIS one.

You can substitute bottled aloe liquid for water in soap recipes if you don’t want to use fresh aloe.

Free Resource

Learn to use herbs and flowers in Soap.

Subscribe to Soap Tip Tuesdays to receive my digital guide on Using Herbs and flowers In Soap. You’ll get a new natural soapmaking tip, recipe, or printable every Tuesday.

• Find out the best herbs and flowers to use for natural soapmaking
• Make tea and oil infusions to nourish your body.
• Each herb has its benefits and color.

E-mail First Name YES, I WANT THIS!

By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Aloe Vera soap ingredients

• 2.5 oz (71g) of distilled water
• 1.92 oz (55 g) lye (sodium hydroxide) – 6% superfast
• 2 oz (57 g) fresh aloe gel
• 6 oz (170 g) olive oil
• 3 oz (85 g) coconut oil*
• Sunflower oil, sweet almond or apricot kernel (or 2 oz 57 g).
• Tallow or shea butter (or mango, cocoa, or shea butter) in 2 oz.
• 1 oz (28 g) castor oil

Optional Colorants: Add 1/2 tsp Chlorella Powder and 1 tsp French Green Clay to the hot lye solutions.

Add ten drops of Antioxidants (rosemary extract oleoresin) to prolong shelf life + 1/2 teaspoon sodium lactate for hardening Soap.

*If your skin is extra sensitive or you are allergic to coconut, use babassu instead. The amount of lye will be slightly reduced to 1.9 oz. (54 g).

Aloe Vera soap directions

Before you begin, please read my Soapmaking 101 tutorial if this is your first time making Soap.

It’s full of guides, printables, and natural soap recipes.

1. Put on gloves and goggles.
2. Weighing the water and transferring it to a heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel container.
3. Weigh out the lye in a small cup.
4. Stir well after adding the lye to the water.
5. Stir in the chlorella and green clay powder if using.
6. The lye solution should be cooled in a cool place for 30-40 minutes or until it reaches 100-115 degrees F.
7. Add the sodium lactate if you are using it.
8. Melt the coconut oil and tallow butter, then combine the rest of the oils.
9. If using, add the rosemary oleoresin (ROE) to the oils.
10. Blend the oils and fresh aloe gel using an immersion blender.
11. Pour the cooled solution of lye into the warm oil/aloe mixture.
12. Mix the soap using a combination of hand stirring and short bursts with an immersion blender.
13. Pour Soap into molds.
14. To insulate, cover lightly with wax paper and then add a towel.
15. Keep Soap in molds for up to two days or until it is easy to remove.
16. Use the Soap after 4+ weeks of curing it on wax paper sheets in the open.

Jan Berry is a soapmaker and herbalist. She has written several books, including The Big Book of Homemade Products and Simple & Natural Soapmaking. She lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoys creating new things with the flowers and plants that grow there. Her family’s UnrulyGardening.com website also features her gardening and foraging writing.