Buying guide
Essential Oil Soap Set
Updated How we research
Naturally scented bars with real botanicals. The page is split into five sections (Pure Essential Oils; Nourishing Shea Base; Aloe for Soothing Skin; Dried Botanical Accents; Natural Colorants), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.1 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:Natural Botanical Colorants Sampler #2 for Soap Making - 18 Plant-Based Powders, Clays, and Herbs - Indigo, Madder Root, Annatto. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:velona 10 LB Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base, SLS/SLES Free. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Pifito Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base, 5 lb, 100% Natural Glycerin. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:21 Pack Dried Flowers for Candle & Soap Making, 100% Natural Dried Herbs Kit - Lavender, Rose Petals, Rosebuds, Leaves, Lemon. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Pure Essential Oils
- Lab Bulks Essential Oil Tea Tree Essential Oil 16 Ounce (2 Pack) for Soap MakingOur score8.4/10
- Plantlife Basic Sampler Set 6-Pack (Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus and more)Our score8.4/10
- Woolzies 100% Pure Soap Making DIY Scenting Essential Oil Blend Gift SetOur score7.7/10
- PHATOIL 9PCS Premium-Quality Essential Oils Set for Soap Making Diffusers, 10mlOur score7.6/10
Nourishing Shea Base
- velona 10 LB Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base, SLS/SLES FreeOur score8.6/10
- Pifito Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base, 5 lb, 100% Natural GlycerinOur score8.6/10
- velona 2 lb - Shea Butter Soap Base, Melt & Pour, SLS/SLES FreeOur score7.6/10
- Our Earth's Secrets Shea Butter 2 Pound Melt and Pour Soap BaseOur score7.4/10
Aloe for Soothing Skin
- Skin Said Yes 5Lb Aloe Soap Base - SLS/SLES Free, Organic Aloe VeraOur score8.4/10
- Mystic Moments Melt and Pour Soap Base - Aloe Vera - 1KgOur score7.6/10
- Saponify 4Lb Aloe Melt and Pour Soap Base, Glycerin Soap Base for Soap MakingOur score7.6/10
- Our Earth's Secrets - 2 Lbs Melt and Pour Soap Base - Aloe VeraOur score7.4/10
Dried Botanical Accents
- 21 Pack Dried Flowers for Candle & Soap Making, 100% Natural Dried Herbs Kit - Lavender, Rose Petals, Rosebuds, Leaves, LemonOur score8.6/10
- Sukh Dried Calendula Petals - Natural 3oz Bulk Calendula Flowers for Soap Making & Candle MakingOur score8.6/10
- Dried Herbs and Flowers for Soap Making - 12 Mix Pack, Rose Petals Lavender Jasmine and MoreOur score8.2/10
- 9 Bags Dried Flowers 100% Natural Herbs Kit for Soap Making, DIY Candle Making, Bath - Rose Petals, Lavender, JasmineOur score7.8/10
Natural Colorants
- Natural Botanical Colorants Sampler #2 for Soap Making - 18 Plant-Based Powders, Clays, and Herbs - Indigo, Madder Root, AnnattoOur score8.8/10
- Rose Hips Powder Soap Making Supplies Natural Colorant - Finely Ground Natural Dye Pigment (4 oz) Vegetable Dye for Handmade Soap, Cosmetics & More DIYOur score7.6/10
- Erosom 12 Colors Mica Powder Pigments Soap Dye for Soap Coloring - Making Colorants SetOur score7.6/10
- Green Tea Powder, Natural Green Soap Colorant, Eco Friendly Sustainable Soap Supplies, Organic DyeOur score7.1/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Natural Botanical Colorants Sampler #2 with 18 plant-based powders, clays and herbs including indigo and madder root.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 18 powders, clays and herbs give a wide range of natural shades
- + Includes indigo, madder root and annatto for blue, red and orange
- + Clays in the mix also add slip and a silky feel to bars
- - Many small amounts may not be enough for full-size loaves
- - Natural colors vary by batch, so results are less predictable
#2velona 10 LB shea butter melt and pour base, SLS/SLES free, for makers producing regular batches of shea bars.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 10 LB supply keeps a steady stock of shea base for ongoing projects
- + SLS/SLES free shea formula supports gentle, moisturizing gift bars
- + Bulk sizing brings the cost per bar well below small craft blocks
- - Large block takes real effort to cut into meltable pieces
- - Storage matters, since shea base can sweat or soften in heat
#3Pifito 5 lb shea butter base with natural glycerin, a reliable mid-bulk option for creamy moisturizing bars.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5 lb of shea base covers many bars for gifts, markets or family use
- + Natural glycerin and shea butter combine for a soft, rich lather
- + Consistent Pifito texture makes repeat batches easy to match
- - Solid block needs chopping, which slows down quick small batches
- - Creamy opaque color is not suited to clear or embed-heavy designs
#4A 21 Pack dried flowers and herbs kit for candle and soap making with lavender, rose petals, rosebuds and lemon.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 21 Pack variety gives many options for decorating soap tops
- + Lavender, rose petals and rosebuds are classic soap toppings
- + 100% natural dried herbs suit handmade natural soap looks
- - Many botanicals turn brown when mixed inside lye soap
- - Small portions of each type limit larger decorating runs
#5Sukh dried calendula petals, natural 3oz bulk, for soap making and candle making.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Calendula petals keep their golden color inside lye soap
- + 3oz bulk bag decorates many soap tops and loaves
- + Single-botanical bag is great for infusing oils too
- - Only one botanical, so variety requires other purchases
- - Petals can shed if soap tops are handled roughly
#6Lab Bulks tea tree essential oil, 16 Ounce in a 2 Pack, a bulk supply for tea tree and acne-themed soaps.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 16 Ounce (2 Pack) bulk size is ideal for frequent tea tree soap batches
- + Tea tree essential oil gives a fresh, medicinal soap scent
- + Bulk pricing makes essential oil soaps much more affordable
- - Large amount of one oil is too much for makers wanting variety
- - Tea tree must be kept within safe skin usage rates in soap
#7Plantlife Basic Sampler Set 6-Pack with lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus and more essential oils.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Includes soap staples like lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus
- + 6-Pack sampler is a smart way to learn essential oil blending
- + Plantlife is a known natural aromatherapy brand
- - Sample bottles are too small for anything beyond test batches
- - Peppermint and eucalyptus need careful usage rates in soap
#8Skin Said Yes 5Lb organic aloe vera soap base, SLS/SLES free, for makers focused on gentle, natural-label bars.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Organic aloe vera supports calming, natural positioning on labels
- + SLS/SLES free formula keeps the bar mild for everyday use
- + 5Lb supply suits regular hobby or small-scale selling
- - Clean-label specialty base is priced higher than standard aloe bases
- - Organic bases can be softer and need a little longer to set
#9A 12 Mix Pack of dried herbs and flowers for soap making with rose petals, lavender, jasmine and more.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 12 Mix Pack gives a broad range of soap toppings
- + Rose petals, lavender and jasmine suit floral soap themes
- + Mixed herbs are nice for bath bombs and salts too
- - Some flowers brown quickly when embedded in soap
- - Small bags per type run out on larger batches
#10A 9 Bags dried flowers herbs kit for soap making, candles and bath, with rose petals, lavender and jasmine.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 9 Bags of popular florals make pretty soap and bath salts
- + Jasmine and rose petals add a romantic look to soap tops
- + Also useful for bath teas, salts and candles
- - Petals inside soap can discolor or feel scratchy
- - Fewer varieties than larger botanical kits
#11Woolzies 100% pure soap making DIY scenting essential oil blend gift set, designed with soap makers in mind.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Blend set is made specifically for soap making and DIY scenting
- + 100% pure essential oils suit natural soap product lines
- + Gift set packaging is a nice present for new soap makers
- - Blends limit your control compared with single essential oils
- - Check how many bottles are included and their size before ordering the set
#12PHATOIL 9PCS premium-quality essential oils set in 10ml bottles for soap making and diffusers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 9PCS range covers popular scents for testing essential oil soaps
- + 10ml bottles are good for small sample batches
- + Also works in diffusers, so leftover oils get used
- - 10ml is not much essential oil for a full cold process loaf
- - Essential oils fade faster in soap than many fragrance oils
#13velona shea butter melt and pour glycerin base in a 2 lb pack, listed as SLS/SLES free, soy free and non-GMO. A small size of the velona shea base that is also sold in bulk, suited to test batches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Listed as SLS/SLES free, soy free, non-GMO and cruelty free
- + High glycerin content is described as giving a creamy lather, and it is made to take colors, essential oils or botanicals
- + 2 lb pack is an inexpensive way to try the base before committing to a 10 lb block
- - Same brand and base type as the larger velona shea block in this guide, so it adds a size option rather than a different formula
- - The listing does not state the shea butter percentage or whether the block is pre-scored
#14Mystic Moments 1Kg aloe vera melt and pour base, a hobby quantity from a known essential oil and soap supplier.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Mystic Moments supplies soap makers with oils and bases, so quality is steady
- + 1Kg block covers a few loaves of aloe bars for gifts or testing
- + Aloe base works nicely with green micas and herbal fragrances
- - Metric 1Kg sizing means converting weights for recipes written in ounces
- - Mid-size block will not last long for very regular makers
#15Saponify 4Lb aloe melt and pour glycerin base for soothing-themed bars in a mid-size batch quantity.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Aloe base fits calming or after-sun gift bars without extra additives
- + 4Lb supply is enough for several loaves before needing to reorder
- + Glycerin base melts smoothly in a microwave or double boiler
- - Aloe tint can shift pale colors, so test colorants on a small piece first
- - Less common brand, so replacement stock may be harder to find quickly
#16Splendor Santa Barbara rose hips powder, a 4 oz bag of finely ground, water-soluble natural colorant that gives pink to orange hues. The listing says it works in melt and pour, cold process and hot process soap.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Fine, water-soluble powder that produces pink to orange shades from a plant source
- + Listed as suitable for melt and pour, cold process and hot process soap
- + 4 oz of a single colorant goes further than the small portions in a sampler
- - One color only, so it does not replace a multi-color sampler for trying several botanicals
- - The listing warns that results vary with each recipe, and it gives no usage rate
#17Erosom 12 Colors mica powder pigment set, a compact starter range of shimmer colorants for soap.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 12 Colors cover the basics for swirls, layers and mica lines
- + Mica shimmer adds a professional sparkle to melt and pour bars
- + Compact set is easy to store and good for beginners
- - Not every mica holds color in high pH cold process soap
- - Smaller range than the larger mica sets in this guide
#18Our Earth's Secrets 2 Pound shea butter melt and pour base, a hobby-size block for creamy conditioning bars.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Shea butter base adds a rich feel without mixing butters yourself
- + 2 Pound size lets you try shea bars before committing to bulk
- + Opaque creamy base pairs nicely with soft pastel colorants
- - Smaller size means a higher cost per bar than bulk shea bases
- - Shea bases can soften in warm rooms, so store bars somewhere cool
#19Our Earth's Secrets 2 Lbs aloe vera melt and pour base, a hobby-size block for soothing-themed bars.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Aloe vera base suits after-sun, spa and calming gift bars
- + 2 Lbs block is a manageable amount for a first aloe project
- + Matches other Our Earth's Secrets bases for layered combinations
- - Check the aloe percentage on the listing to gauge how noticeable the benefit is
- - Costs more per bar than the bulk aloe bases also on this list
#20Splendor Santa Barbara green tea powder, listed as a natural green soap colorant. A single-ingredient botanical option for soap makers who want green tones without synthetic dyes.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + The listing names green tea powder as a natural green colorant for soap, which fits a guide about coloring bars without synthetic dyes.
- + Sold as a plain botanical powder, so it is easy to scale from a pinch for pale tints to more for deeper shades in a batch.
- + The same powder is listed for bath teas, bath bombs, scrubs and lotions, so one jar covers several handmade projects.
- - It is a single color, not a sampler, so anyone wanting a range of natural shades will need to buy more powders.
- - The listing gives no net weight or batch usage rates, so you will need to test amounts yourself before a big pour.
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Soap Making Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.