Essential Soap Making Supplies from Amazon: How to Start as a Beginner?

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When I first ventured into soapmaking, it was exciting and a bit intimidating. I began with a simple amazon soap making kit that came with a pink silicone soap mold, a couple of basic cutters, and the least expensive stick blender I could find. As I unboxed each item, I imagined the beautiful, fragrant bars of soap I was about to create. That first experience taught me a lot about the value of having the right supplies—not just the basics, but a few helpful extras too. For beginners, these are my top essential soap making supplies available on Amazon, each carefully chosen to make your soapmaking journey smooth, creative, and enjoyable. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Basic Amazon Soap Making Kit

An all-in-one amazon soap making kit is ideal for beginners who are just starting out and can be considered the easiest among the essential soap making supplies. These kits provide everything needed to make your first few batches, often including a silicone mold, some pre-measured soap bases, a cutter, and even a few essential oils. It’s a convenient, no-stress way to learn the basics and decide which aspects of soapmaking you enjoy most.

Look for kits with melt-and-pour soap bases, as these are beginner-friendly and don’t require handling lye. You can start customizing your creations immediately by adding scents, colors, and even dried botanicals. Melt-and-pour bases allow new soapmakers to focus on creativity rather than precise measurements and temperatures, making it a gentle introduction to the craft.

A great starter kit with essential soap making supplies you can find on Amazon here is one which includes a soap mold, a wooden box to keep the mold in place, as well as a cutter to cut the soap once it's cured. I started with a kit which had less items than this one, but served a great purpose to see if I will like making soap or not, before deciding on investing further in essential soap making supplies for more advanced crafters.

Essential Oils for Soap Making

Fragrance is one of the most enjoyable aspects of soap making, and a fun addition to your essential soap making supplies, allowing you to add a personal touch to each batch. Essential oils provide natural, skin-safe scents and come with additional benefits such as soothing (lavender), refreshing (peppermint), or balancing (tea tree) properties. While synthetic fragrance oils can be tempting, natural essential oils give your soaps a fresher, more genuine aroma.

A high-quality essential oil set lets you experiment with multiple scents and even blend your own unique fragrance combinations. Look for oils marked as 100% pure and designed for use on the skin. When I began, I purchased a mixed set of popular essential oils to see which ones I liked best, which added a fun element of discovery to the process.

Personally, I haven't tried fragrance oils in my soaps even as a beginner, because I knew already that I wanted to make soap bars as natural and minimalistic as possible. But if you are into diverse, fun scents, feel free to experiment with fragrance oils as well. You can also skip scents altogether, as they are not among the absolute essential soap making supplies. You can make soap with no scent added.

I would normally buy my essential oils from trusted suppliers who I'm sure are not diluting the essence too much. See the best suppliers in Europe/UK in this article. If you are keen on just trying out how essential oils behave in soaps, you can check some of the essential oil starter packs on Amazon, such as this one, which includes the 7 most famous ones in soap making, such as jasmine, lavender, rose, ylang-ylang and more!

High-Quality Soap Molds

Upgrading to high-quality silicone molds can make a significant difference in your soap’s appearance. Basic molds often come with starter kits, but investing in a few specialty molds can make your soaps look more professional and visually interesting. Silicone is especially useful because it’s flexible, durable, and makes unmolding a breeze. I'd say this is one of the most important essential soap making supplies, as it can literally make or break your whole soap.

Classic rectangle molds are versatile and offer a polished look, while specialty molds come in creative shapes such as flowers, hearts, or animals. These can make soap making even more enjoyable and perfect for gifts or small business displays. Look for molds that are BPA-free, heat-resistant, and durable for repeated use. They make the best molds among the essential soap making supplies.

When I was starting out, I knew I wanted to try out the fun-shaped soap molds that I saw everywhere on Pinterest, especially the ones shaped like beehives (hey, a beekeeper newbie here), so I opted for this beehive-shaped soap mold with 6 cavities, which I ended up using just a few times, as I found cutting soaps much more entertaining and exciting than simply unmolding. But it is for sure a great start, especially if you have made a recipe that tends to reach trace faster than you were able to handle (like me - making my first soap with sweet orange essential oil, which makes the soap batter thick quite fast).

Natural Colorants and Mica Powders

Coloring soap can add a beautiful artistic element to your creations. Natural colorants, like mica powders, are safe for skin and provide vibrant, long-lasting colors. Mica powders are especially popular because they come in various shades, from soft pastels to bold metallics, and offer excellent color payoff in soap. These are not among the absolute essential soap making supplies, but definitely a fun addition to your soap recipes.

When choosing colorants, always look for those explicitly labeled for soap making, as they won’t bleed or fade over time. Mica powders are also ideal for swirling techniques and layering effects, allowing you to get creative and produce unique designs with each batch.

For micas and colorants in general, I would recommend sticking to an official supplier of essential soap making supplies. You can find the best EU- and UK-based ones in this article on the topic of The Best Shops for Soap Making Supplies from Europe.

Wooden Soap Drying Rack

Curing soap properly is essential, especially for cold-process soap, as it needs ample airflow to harden. A wooden drying rack gives your soaps a dedicated curing area that allows them to dry evenly. It also keeps them organized and minimizes the risk of accidentally damaging them while curing. It is an addition to your essential soap making supplies, once you decide you are going to be making a lot more soap in the future.

These racks are particularly helpful if you’re making multiple batches or working in a small space. Look for a rack that’s stackable or compact for easy storage, making it convenient even for small apartments or home studios. Wooden racks are durable and eco-friendly, aligning well with a natural soap making process.

Thermometer for Accurate Temperature Control

Controlling temperature is critical in soapmaking, especially with cold-process methods that require lye. Having a reliable thermometer ensures that your oils and lye mixture are at the correct temperature for a stable, smooth batch. In the technical part of this craft, thermometers are definitely one of the most essential soap making supplies. Digital or infrared thermometers are particularly useful because they give instant readings without needing to touch the liquid.

When I first started, I made the mistake of skipping this tool and quickly learned how crucial it is. I used to use a normal cable-like thermometer but it was not convenient as I needed to switch between checking the temperature of melted oils, then of liquid oils and also of lye, so it had to be cleaned thoroughly after each dip and that also took some time soe essentially the temperature either raised or dropped since the measurement.

Afterwards I switched to this digital thermometer (again from Amazon) and everything became much faster and more efficient. It’s one of those small investments in essential soap making supplies, that can prevent many issues. Choose a thermometer with a range suitable for soapmaking and a sturdy design for regular use.

Safety Gear: Gloves, Goggles, and Apron

Handling lye and other soapmaking ingredients safely is essential, especially when making cold-process soap. Proper safety gear includes gloves, goggles, and a full-coverage apron to protect your skin and eyes from splashes. Gloves protect your hands from lye and any irritating ingredients, while goggles shield your eyes from fumes or accidental splashes. It is a non-negotiable to have all the required safety gear before even considering any other essential soap making supplies.

Starting out, I never underestimated the importance of protective gear, and it only took one small splash on the table to realize its value even more. With safety gear, you can work confidently and avoid common accidents. Amazon offers affordable, durable options to build a solid set of gear. Check here exactly what you need to buy in order to have full protective coverage. This will help you feel safe and protected before you continue with the rest of the essential soap making supplies.

Storage Solutions for Soap Supplies

Once you start building up supplies, you’ll need a way to organize and store them. Good storage solutions help keep oils, colorants, molds, and additives neatly arranged, making the workspace tidy and accessible. Clear containers, stackable bins, and drawer organizers work well for most soapmaking tools and ingredients. We can say this is a must have when you are already into soap making and start expanding your essential soap making supplies.

Amazon has several options, such as airtight containers for storing oils and powders to prevent them from degrading. Keeping your workspace organized allows you to focus on creativity, and a good storage setup can make soapmaking sessions efficient and enjoyable.

Recommended Books and Resources

When starting soapmaking, having a reliable resource is invaluable. There are several excellent beginner-friendly books that offer insights into techniques, troubleshooting, and creative ideas. Books can help you gain a deeper understanding of ingredient interactions, design options, and safe handling practices, therefore they are also considered essential soap making supplies that you can go back to at any point.

Some great beginner soapmaking books are available on Amazon, covering everything from cold-process and melt-and-pour methods to advanced techniques. Books written by experienced soapmakers are a trustworthy resource for learning tried-and-true methods and gaining inspiration.

This article was all about the essential soap making supplies every novice soapmaker needs. With these supplies and resources, beginners can feel confident and well-prepared to start their soapmaking journey. The right essential soap making supplies, from basic kits to safety gear and curing racks, make the process more enjoyable and stress-free. By experimenting with colorants, molds, and fragrances, you can create unique, beautiful soaps tailored to your preferences.

Remember, soapmaking is a craft that grows with you, so start simple and expand as you become more comfortable. Each of these essential soap making supplies is available on Amazon, making it easy to get started. Embrace the creativity, dive into the process, and soon you’ll be crafting soaps that are as beautiful as they are functional.