# Best Natural Additives for Soap Source: https://soapmakingnest.com/best/best-natural-soap-additives Updated: 2026-10-02 Publisher: Soap Making Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://soapmakingnest.com/how-we-research#our-score Additives are judged by two things the label rarely states: how much you can use per pound of oils, and how that amount feels on skin. Exfoliants are where beginners overshoot. Ground oat, milled fine enough to disperse rather than sink, is gentle at a teaspoon or two per pound and turns scratchy well before it turns more effective, while coarse grits belong in a hand scrub bar rather than anything for a face. Loofah is the extreme version, since a slice set into a bar gives real abrasion and also holds water, so it has to dry fully between uses or it sours. Clays behave differently again, because their job is absorbency and slip rather than scratch: roughly a teaspoon per pound gives color and a silkier lather, and the darker earth tones also help anchor scent. Charcoal is the one to test before scaling up, as a heavy hand turns lather gray and marks a light washcloth. Dried botanicals are mostly cosmetic and mostly disappointing in cold process, where high pH browns petals within days, so they hold their color far better pressed onto the top of a bar or embedded in a melt and pour base. Buy powders in the smallest useful pack until you know your own rate. ## Picks ### 1. Yogi's Gift Pack of 5 Clays for Mask & Soap Making - Rose Clay, French Green Clay, Kaolin, Moroccan Red and Bentonite Clay, 8oz Each Our score: 9.2/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Yogi's Gift pack of 5 clays, 8oz each: rose, French green, kaolin, Moroccan red and bentonite for soap and masks. Pros: - 5 clays at 8oz each give plenty for many soap batches - Mix of colors lets you tint soap pink, green and red naturally - Kaolin and bentonite add slip and a silky lather Cons: - Bentonite absorbs lots of water, so recipes may need adjusting - Five full bags take more storage than a small sampler Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B09MFQVQ4R ### 2. Premium Loofah Slices for Soap Making - Natural Luffa Cuts for DIY Soaping (36pk) Our score: 8.9/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Premium natural luffa cuts for DIY soaping, a 36pk of loofah slices for making exfoliating bars. Pros: - 36pk gives more slices than the smaller loofah bundles in this guide - Premium luffa cuts are sold for DIY soaping - Great for markets where loofah soaps sell well Cons: - Check the slice diameter against your mold size before ordering - Natural luffa may shed small fibers when first cut Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B07BH55CWS ### 3. Natural Loofah Slices for Soap Making (20 Pack) - Organic Loufa Cuts, Bulk Luffa Soap Making Supplies Our score: 8.7/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Natural loofah slices for soap making, 20 Pack of organic cuts for embedding in melt and pour soap. Pros: - 20 Pack of pre-cut slices saves cutting whole loofahs - Organic loofah cuts give a natural scrubby soap bar - Sold specifically as a soap making supply Cons: - Check the loofah slice thickness against your mold depth before ordering - Loofah absorbs soap, so it uses more base per bar Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B086ZJ9B3D ### 4. 21 Pack Dried Flowers for Candle & Soap Making, 100% Natural Dried Herbs Kit - Lavender, Rose Petals, Rosebuds, Leaves, Lemon Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) A 21 Pack dried flowers and herbs kit for candle and soap making with lavender, rose petals, rosebuds and lemon. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Many botanicals turn brown when mixed inside lye soap - Small portions of each type limit larger decorating runs Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B09PYPZG7T ### 5. Bare Essentials Living Bentonite Clay Powder (5lbs) Cosmetic Sodium Bentonite Clay, Made in USA Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Bare Essentials Living 5lbs cosmetic sodium bentonite clay powder, made in USA, a bulk single-clay supply. Pros: - 5lbs bulk bag is great value for heavy bentonite users - Sodium bentonite adds slip and helps anchor fragrance in soap - Made in USA sourcing appeals to local-ingredient buyers Cons: - Single clay only, so it will not add color variety - Too much bentonite can make bars feel drying or draggy Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B07K3RPRYV ### 6. Sukh Dried Calendula Petals - Natural 3oz Bulk Calendula Flowers for Soap Making & Candle Making Our score: 8.6/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10) Sukh dried calendula petals, natural 3oz bulk, for soap making and candle making. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Only one botanical, so variety requires other purchases - Petals can shed if soap tops are handled roughly Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B0FQHTV9V4 ### 7. Charcoal House Activated Bamboo Charcoal Powder Food Grade - Skin Care, Body Scrub, Facial Cleanser, Soap Making - 6 oz Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Charcoal House 6 oz food grade activated bamboo charcoal powder for skin care, scrubs and soap making. Pros: - Bamboo charcoal gives deep black or grey soap without dyes - Food grade powder suits facial bars and detox-style soaps - 6 oz amount covers many batches since little is needed Cons: - Very light powder floats and stains counters if spilled - Too much charcoal can make lather look grey Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B082J97VNT ### 8. Activated Charcoal Powder 1 lb. Hardwood - Food Grade Kosher Non-GMO - Teeth Whitening, Facial Mask and Soap Making Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) A 1 lb. bag of hardwood activated charcoal powder, food grade, kosher and non-GMO, for masks and soap making. Pros: - 1 lb. supply is excellent value for frequent charcoal soap makers - Food grade kosher non-GMO labeling supports natural product claims - Hardwood charcoal colors soap a deep, even black Cons: - Large bag of light powder is messy to scoop from - Teeth whitening focus means soap usage guidance is limited Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B08JKJ2JNT ### 9. Yareli Colloidal Oatmeal, 2lb (32oz), Bath Powder for Dry Skin for All Ages Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Yareli colloidal oatmeal in a 2 lb (32 oz) bag, milled to particles under 50 microns with no additives or fragrance. It is sold as a bath powder, and the fine grind is the type soap makers add to batter or melted base. Pros: - Particles under 50 microns per the listing, so it disperses in water instead of leaving coarse oat flecks - Free of additives, fragrances and artificial preservatives, leaving scent and color choices to your recipe - 2 lb bag covers many batches, since oatmeal is used in small amounts per batch of soap Cons: - Marketed as a bath powder: the listing gives no soap making directions or usage rates - No organic certification is mentioned, and 2 lb is more than an occasional maker will use quickly Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B0DBM58TY9 ### 10. Palm and Plenty 100% Pure Colloidal Oatmeal Powder Unscented, 32 oz Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 6/10) Palm and Plenty pure colloidal oatmeal, unscented, sold as a 32 oz pack and made in the USA. The listing names soap making, bath bombs and DIY cosmetics among its uses, and it costs more than the 16 oz bags in this guide. Pros: - 100 percent colloidal oatmeal with no fragrance or dyes, so it will not alter the scent of a recipe - Described as highly refined with no specks, which suits smooth bars rather than a visibly flecked look - The listing explicitly covers soap making, bath bombs and DIY cosmetics, not only bath soaks Cons: - Size details conflict: the title says 32 oz while one bullet calls it a 32oz (1 lb) package, so confirm the weight before ordering - Among the higher-priced oatmeal picks here, and the listing gives no particle size or usage rate for soap Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B0FK1TZ8NP As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.