And don’t worry—while the end result looks like it washed ashore from a fairytale, the process is perfectly doable at home.
Get more details about this project
What you need
Base Oils:
- 300g Olive Oil
- 250g Coconut Oil
- 150g Palm Oil (RSPO-certified)
- 50g Castor Oil
- 50g Shea Butter
Lye Solution:
- 134g Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
- 300g Distilled Water (ice cold or frozen cubes for better control)
Additives:
- 2 tsp Kaolin Clay (for silky slip)
- 2 tsp Sodium Lactate (harder bars)
- 30–40g Ocean Breeze or Sea Salt & Orchid Fragrance Oil (skin-safe)
Colorants:
- Teal mica
- Blue mica
- White titanium dioxide
- Touch of purple mica (optional)
Toppers:
- Melt-and-pour mermaid tails
- Eco-glitter or biodegradable mica
- Mini seashell soap embeds or Mermaid tails
Equipment You’ll Need
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles, long sleeves)
- Stick blender
- Heat-safe containers
- Silicone loaf mold
- Spatula & spoons
- Measuring scale
- Small cups for swirling colors
- Piping bag or spoon (for embedding toppers)
Instructions
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. Prep Everything First
Measure out all oils, lye, and additives. Have your colors and fragrance ready to go. Line your mold if it’s not silicone, and ensure you’re soaping in a well-ventilated area.
2. Create the Lye Solution
Slowly sprinkle lye into your cold distilled water (never the other way around!) Stir gently until dissolved. Set aside to cool to 40–45°C.
3. Melt the Oils
In a large container, melt your solid oils first (coconut, palm, shea), then stir in the liquid oils. Aim for a similar temp (around 40–45°C) as your lye solution.
4. Combine & Stick Blend
Add the lye water to the oils. Stick blend to light trace. Add your kaolin clay and sodium lactate at this stage, and blend again briefly.
5. Divide & Color
Split your batter into 3–4 containers. Color each one differently—teal, blue, white, and a splash of purple if you want more depth. Don’t overblend; just whisk mica in with a spoon for a fluid trace.
6. Swirl & Pour
Use a hanger swirl or in-the-pot swirl technique for that underwater current effect. Alternate colors as you pour into your mold to build up layers and movement.
7. Top with Mermaid Magic
Gently tap the mold to settle the soap. While the batter is still soft, press in your mermaid tails, scatter glitter or mica dust, and nestle in any seashell soap embeds.
8. Insulate & Wait
Cover and insulate for 24–48 hours. Then unmold and slice your bars. If your soap feels soft, let it breathe for another day before cutting.
9. Cure & Admire
Allow your soap to cure for 4–6 weeks for a hard, long-lasting bar. Keep away from humidity during this time, and store in a cool dry place.
Tips & Variations
- Kid-Friendly: Use a gentle scent and skip essential oils to make it toddler-safe.
- No palm oil? Sub with babassu or more coconut oil, adjusting your lye.
- Add sea salt sprinkles to mimic real ocean suds (use a salt bar formula).
- Make mini guest soaps by pouring leftovers into small shell or fish molds.
Mermaid Tail Mold Suggestions
- Use silicone molds for melt-and-pour soap toppers.
- Dust with mica before pouring for metallic shimmer.
- Chill them before unmolding for crisp detail.
Safety Reminder
Always wear gloves and eye protection when working with lye. Keep pets and children out of your soap-making area, and never mix water into lye.
Ready to Dive In?
Whether you’re crafting a whimsical spa set or adding some under-the-sea charm to your handmade soap range, this mermaid soap recipe brings a bit of beachy joy to your craft table.
Tag it, wrap it, gift it—or keep it all for yourself (we won’t tell).
What do you think of this project? Let us know!