Primal Elements Olive Oil Soap Base - Melt and Pour Glycerin, 10 Pound Review (2026)

A long running formula at bulk size

Primal Elements sells this clear olive oil melt and pour base in 2, 5, and 10 pound sizes, and describes it as the same base the company has used in its own bar soaps since 1993. The formula is built around olive oil for its moisturizing qualities, combined with a high level of vegetable glycerin, and the maker states it is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and paraben. At 10 pounds, this is the largest of the three sizes Primal Elements offers, intended for soap makers who go through base steadily rather than for a single occasional batch. According to the Amazon listing for this size, the 10 pound block measures about 22.5 by 9 by 5 inches as packaged for shipping.

Melting and pouring

Primal Elements' own instructions call for cutting the base into small pieces, placing them in a microwave safe container, and melting in an initial 30 second burst followed by shorter 10 second bursts until fully melted. From there, fragrance, color, or other soap additives can be mixed in before pouring into molds, and the maker suggests spraying the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove air bubbles before the soap sets. Bars generally need several hours to harden fully, with the maker citing a range of roughly 4 to 24 hours depending on mold size and room temperature. This is a fairly standard melt and pour workflow, but the size of a 10 pound block means working in smaller batches at a time is more practical than trying to melt the whole block at once.

Why the bulk size makes sense for some buyers

The main reason to choose the 10 pound size over the 2 or 5 pound options is volume. Soap makers selling regularly, running a small workshop, or making bars as recurring gifts will use up a 10 pound block in a reasonable timeframe and benefit from a lower cost per pound than buying several smaller blocks. Because Primal Elements sells the identical formula across all three sizes, buyers are not trading away quality or ingredients to get the bulk option, only convenience and reduced packaging. For someone newer to melt and pour soap or making only an occasional batch, the smaller 2 or 5 pound sizes let them try the same base without ending up with far more than they can realistically use.

Handling a 10 pound block

A block this size is heavy and solid, and it needs a sturdy knife or dedicated soap cutter to break down into pieces small enough to melt evenly. Rushing this step with an undersized knife can be both slow and a safety risk, so soap makers who buy the 10 pound size should plan to have the right cutting tool on hand. Storage is another practical consideration, since a block this large takes up more cupboard or shelf space than a 2 pound block, and it will likely sit around for a while between projects unless production is steady. None of this affects how the soap performs once melted, but it does mean the 10 pound size asks more of the buyer up front than a smaller trial block would.

Who this size fits

This 10 pound olive oil base fits small soap businesses, market vendors, and anyone making bars as ongoing gifts, where the lower cost per pound and the reliability of a formula the company has used since 1993 add up over repeated batches. It also suits buyers who have already tried Primal Elements' smaller olive oil sizes and know they like the base, since there is no change in formula at the larger size, only quantity. It fits less well for a first time melt and pour user or someone making a single batch for a specific occasion, where the 2 pound size covers the same recipe without leaving a large, heavy block to store afterward.

Frequently asked questions