# Best Palm Oil for Soap Making

Source: https://soapmakingnest.com/best/best-palm-oil-soap-making
Updated: 2026-10-20
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

Palm oil is a popular soap-making oil that produces hard, long-lasting bars with a stable, creamy lather, often used as a tallow alternative. Home soap makers add it to cold and hot process recipes to firm up bars and improve durability without harsh cleansing. Because of environmental concerns, sourcing is an important consideration for many crafters. When choosing palm oil, look for RSPO-certified sustainable sourcing, the grade and purity, melt point and consistency, whether it needs to be fully melted and stirred before use, and packaging that resists rancidity. This guide compares palm oils that saponify predictably, harden bars reliably, and let you make responsible choices about where your ingredients come from.

## Picks

### 1. Essential Depot Palm Oil RSPO Certified Sustainable Food Grade 7 lbs 1 Gallon Pail

Our score: 8.9/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10)

Essential Depot RSPO certified sustainable food grade palm oil, 7 lbs in a 1 Gallon Pail, for hard, long-lasting bars.

Pros:
- RSPO certification helps address palm oil sourcing concerns
- Palm oil adds hardness and a stable lather to cold process soap
- 7 lbs pail supplies plenty of palm for regular recipe use

Cons:
- Some customers avoid palm oil regardless of sustainable certification
- Solid oil needs full melting and stirring before measuring

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B07FR4B2HN

### 2. Essential Depot Palm Oil RSPO Certified Kosher Not Hydrogenated 1 Gallon

Our score: 8.9/10 (Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10)

Essential Depot RSPO certified kosher palm oil, not hydrogenated, in a 1 Gallon container for cold process soap.

Pros:
- Not hydrogenated palm behaves as lye calculators expect for palm
- Kosher and RSPO certified status supports ethical ingredient claims
- 1 Gallon container is a steady supply for palm-based recipes

Cons:
- Palm stearins separate, so the oil must be fully melted and mixed
- Palm-free positioning is popular, so some buyers may avoid these bars

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B06XDTPPK2

### 3. 100% Sustainable Palm Oil RSPO Certified 2-Pack 14 fl oz for Soap Making

Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10)

A 2-Pack of 14 fl oz RSPO certified 100% sustainable palm oil, a small-bottle option for palm soap recipes.

Pros:
- 2-Pack lets one bottle stay sealed while you work through the first
- RSPO certified sustainable palm suits makers mindful of sourcing
- Smaller bottles are easier to melt fully than a big pail

Cons:
- Two small bottles cost more per ounce than a gallon pail of palm
- Palm must be melted and shaken well so its fats do not separate

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B0CSN27HNM

### 4. 100% Sustainable Palm Oil RSPO Certified Food Grade Not Hydrogenated 14 fl oz

Our score: 7.7/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10)

A 14 fl oz bottle of RSPO certified, food grade, not hydrogenated sustainable palm oil for small palm soap batches.

Pros:
- Not hydrogenated palm matches standard palm values in lye calculators
- 14 fl oz bottle is a low-risk size for trying palm in a recipe
- Food grade RSPO certified oil keeps ingredients clean and traceable

Cons:
- Single small bottle only covers a couple of palm-based batches
- Buyers who avoid palm oil entirely may skip bars that contain it

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B00GO5MEZY

### 5. ORGANIC PALM KERNEL OIL FLAKES (2 lbs / 32 oz) Non-GMO; Premium Cosmetic Grade Palm Kernel Oil Flakes for Soap Making, Creams, Lotions & Candle Making | 2 POUND

Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10)

33rd Parallel Soap Co. Organic Palm Kernel Oil Flakes come in a 2 pound bag, in flake form that is described as easy to measure for soap making.

Pros:
- Palm kernel oil, described as boosting lather and making a harder bar.
- Flake form is described as easy to weigh and melt.
- Listing says it is for cold and hot process soap, with resealable packaging.

Cons:
- 2 pounds is less than the 32 fluid ounce jar format some soap makers use for pourable oil.
- Sold as a flaked solid, so it must be melted before measuring into a recipe.

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B09QPPX7G1

### 6. Traverse Bay Bath and Body - Palm Oil - Sustainable, Kosher - 32 fl oz Jar | Sustainable, Kosher, Resealable Jar with Lid

Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10)

Traverse Bay Bath and Body Palm Oil is a 32 ounce jar sold as soap making supply, listed as sustainable and kosher, with an 80 to 82 F melt point.

Pros:
- Listing says palm oil adds hardness and lather to soap.
- Sustainable and kosher listing, in a resealable jar with a lid.
- Melt point of 80 to 82 F is stated, so it can be planned into a recipe.

Cons:
- Plain palm oil rather than palm kernel oil, and much smaller than the 7 pound original.
- The listing says it must be fully melted and stirred before each use.

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B07L71BL2C

### 7. Palm Kernel Oil Flakes Sustainable Palm 32 oz / 2 lb Soap Making Supply

Our score: 6.3/10 (Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10)

Palm kernel oil flakes, 32 oz / 2 lb of sustainable palm, a solid flake form that is easy to weigh for soap recipes.

Pros:
- Flake form scoops and weighs cleanly without melting a whole tub
- Sustainable palm kernel adds hardness and bubbly lather to bars
- 2 lb supply is a practical middle size for hobby soap makers

Cons:
- Palm kernel flakes are often hydrogenated, so check the lye value used
- Not a substitute for regular palm oil despite the similar name

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B01HHFGKZO

### 8. Soapeauty Palm Oil RBD 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Non-Hydrogenated 4 fl oz

Our score: 6.0/10 (Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 5/10)

Soapeauty 4 fl oz RBD non-hydrogenated palm oil, a tiny bottle better suited to testing than full soap batches.

Pros:
- RBD refined palm is neutral in color and scent for pale bars
- Non-hydrogenated oil behaves predictably in cold process recipes
- 4 fl oz bottle is enough for a tiny test batch or two

Cons:
- Far too little palm for a standard loaf, so it suits testing only
- Very high cost per ounce compared with palm oil in gallon pails

Details: https://soapmakingnest.com/product/B077TX9WPC

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