If you’re into natural skincare or just love making things from scratch, you’re going to enjoy this. Today, we’re making a handmade Aloe vera soap infused with fresh lemongrass—a combination that’s both gentle and invigorating for your skin. Whether you’re a soap-making newbie or a seasoned DIYer, this simple recipe brings together the healing power of Aloe and the refreshing zing of lemongrass in one easy bar.
This project isn’t just about making soap—it’s about reconnecting with nature, slowing down, and creating something beautiful and useful with your own hands. So roll up those sleeves, friend. Let’s get into it.
Why Lemongrass in Soap?
You might know lemongrass as a fragrant herb for cooking or a calming tea ingredient, but it also brings amazing benefits to the skin. It’s no surprise that lemongrass is often found in high-end skincare products. When added to soap, it provides both function and fragrance.
Benefits of Lemongrass for the Skin:
🌿 Antibacterial & Antifungal – Helps fight acne-causing bacteria and prevents skin infections.🌿 Astringent Properties – Tones and tightens the skin, reducing the appearance of pores.🌿 Detoxifying – Gently removes impurities and excess oils from the skin.🌿 Aromatherapy Boost – Its natural citrusy scent is uplifting and helps reduce stress.🌿 Antioxidant-rich – Fights free radicals and supports healthy, youthful-looking skin.
How to Make Aloe Vera and Lemongrass Soap
Step 1: Prepare Your Aloe Vera
Start by cleaning your fresh Aloe vera leaves. Slice off the spines, then split the leaf and scoop out the gel using a spoon or blunt tool. Be careful not to scrape too close to the rind, where the yellowish latex (aloin) is found—it can be irritating to sensitive skin.
Step 2: Blend with Fresh Lemongrass
Rinse and chop a handful of fresh lemongrass leaves, then blend them together with the Aloe vera gel until smooth. This blend is your skin-loving juice.
Straining the mixture afterward is optional. If you want a smoother, more polished bar of soap, go ahead and strain out the pulp. But if you enjoy a rustic, textured look (like nature’s own exfoliant), leave it all in—your soap, your rules!
Aloe Vera + Lemongrass: The Perfect Skin Pairing
When these two natural powerhouses come together in soap, magic happens:💧 Aloe vera hydrates, soothes inflammation, and promotes healing.🌿 Lemongrass purifies, tones, and adds a clean, citrus scent.
Together, they create a refreshing, gentle soap bar that’s ideal for daily cleansing—especially for oily, acne-prone, or tired skin.
Step 3: Mix the Lye Solution
Measure 131 grams of your Aloe vera and lemongrass juice. Slowly and carefully add 65 grams of sodium hydroxide (lye) to the liquid—not the other way around—to avoid a dangerous reaction. Stir gently until fully dissolved. Safety goggles and gloves are a must here, especially if this is your first time working with lye.
👉 Tip: Work in a well-ventilated area and keep vinegar nearby as a neutralizer just in case. Also, please read the Beginners Guide for Handling Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) in Soap Making.
Set the lye mixture aside to cool.
Step 4: Prepare the Oils
If you live in a cooler climate where coconut oil solidifies, melt 396 grams of it and let it cool down a bit. But if you're in a tropical region (like I am!) where coconut oil is already in liquid form, you can skip the melting step entirely—just make sure it's at room temperature.
Once your coconut oil and lye solution are roughly the same temperature (around 100–110°F or 37–43°C), go ahead and combine them.
Stir slowly until the mixture thickens to what soap makers call “trace”—a pudding-like consistency. You can stir by hand or use a stick blender to speed things up.
At this point, you can also add a few drops of essential oil, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, or lemongrass, to boost the scent.
Step 5: Pour, Cut, and Cure
Pour the soap batter into your mold. It will start to harden in about 8 hours. Once firm, remove it from the mold and cut it into bars. You can choose your favorite size and shape.
You can use the soap after about a week, but letting it cure for 4 weeks helps it become milder, harder, and longer-lasting. Think of it as aging cheese—good things take time!
My Two Cents Before You Go
This Aloe vera and lemongrass soap isn’t just a treat for your skin—it’s a little act of self-care. And in a world that often feels rushed and overcomplicated, there’s something grounding about making something with your own two hands.
So give this recipe a try! Whether you’re using it yourself or sharing it as a gift, this all-natural bar of soap is sure to leave behind a smile—and maybe even a glow.
If you found this helpful, feel free to share the post or leave a comment below. And if you want more DIY Aloe vera goodness, stick around—I’ve got more recipes and stories on the way.
Watch the video below to see the process in action—it’s always easier when you can follow along!
