Table of Contents
Adding aloe vera to a homemade soap gives you a gentler wash that leaves hands feeling soft instead of tight and dry. This easy foaming lime and aloe hand soap takes just four ingredients and about five minutes to make. Below are the real benefits of aloe vera soap, the recipe, scent swaps and tips to keep it fresh. Jump to the recipe.
Aloe Vera Soap Benefits
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel has been used on skin for thousands of years. It's mostly water, with natural sugars (polysaccharides), vitamins and amino acids that help skin hold on to moisture. Learn more in my guide to aloe vera for skin.
Because soap is rinsed off, aloe won't work as deeply as a leave-on gel, but it does make a noticeable difference in how your skin feels after washing:
1. Gentler Cleansing
Castile soap cleans beautifully but can feel a little drying on its own. Aloe gel softens the wash, so it's a nice choice for dry or sensitive skin and for hands that get washed often.
2. Softer-Feeling Skin
Aloe is a natural humectant, which means it draws in moisture. Many people find their hands feel softer and less tight after washing with an aloe soap.
3. A Soothing, Fresh Feel
Aloe has a long history of use for calming skin that feels irritated after sun, wind or frequent washing. Pairing it with a gentle soap makes washing a little more pleasant.
4. Simple, Natural Ingredients
A homemade aloe soap lets you skip synthetic fragrance and dyes. You know exactly what's in the bottle.
5. A Lovely Way to Enjoy Essential Oils
A few drops of essential oil turn plain soap into an uplifting little aromatherapy moment every time you wash your hands.
Have eczema, psoriasis, acne or a skin condition that isn't improving? Talk to your doctor or dermatologist. A gentle soap can be part of your routine, but it isn't a treatment.
Choosing Aloe Vera Gel for Soap
For this recipe, use a thin, liquid aloe vera gel, not a thick "jelly." Pure aloe gel is clear or slightly cloudy and runny. Bright green gel has added color. Look for one that is mostly aloe with no added fragrance. Here is my favorite aloe vera gel (affiliate link):
DIY Foaming Lime and Aloe Hand Soap Recipe
Bright, zesty lime gives this soap a clean, cheerful scent. This recipe makes one mini foaming bottle, which is perfect for travel, a guest bathroom or little hands.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap (affiliate link)
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 1/2 tablespoons distilled water
- 12 drops lime essential oil (steam distilled is best, see the tip below)
- Mini foaming soap bottle (about 2 oz)
Directions
Step 1: Using a small funnel, add the castile soap, aloe vera gel and lime essential oil to the foaming bottle.
Step 2: Gently swirl the bottle to mix.
Step 3: Add the distilled water, screw on the foamer top and gently tip the bottle back and forth to combine. Shaking hard will make it bubble up. Dry the bottle and add a label.
To use: Wet your hands, pump 2 to 3 times into your palm, and lather all over your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse well with warm water and dry.
Making a Full-Size Bottle
For a standard 8 oz foaming bottle, use 1/4 cup castile soap, 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel, 3/4 cup distilled water and 30 drops of lime essential oil. Leave a little room at the top for the pump.
Tip: Which lime oil should I use?
Cold-pressed lime can cause a sunburn-like reaction on skin exposed to the sun, but that risk is very low in a soap you rinse right off. Steam-distilled lime isn't photosensitive at all and has a sweeter, "lime soda" scent. Learn the difference in distilled vs cold-pressed lime.
More Scent Ideas
Swap the lime for one of these. Keep the total to about 12 drops for the mini bottle.
- Lavender Calm: 8 drops lavender + 4 drops Roman chamomile
- Sweet Citrus: 8 drops tangerine + 4 drops lavender
- Fresh and Clean: 6 drops tea tree + 6 drops lavender
- Forest Walk: 6 drops juniper berry + 6 drops cedarwood
Looking for more foaming soap recipes? Try my orange foaming hand soap, rosemary lemon foaming soap or pumpkin spice foaming soap.
Tips for Homemade Aloe Soap
- Make small batches. This recipe has water and aloe but no preservative, so use it within 1 to 2 weeks. Read more about DIY recipes and preservatives.
- Watch for changes. Toss it if it smells sour, looks cloudy or grows anything.
- Start clean. Wash and dry your bottle and funnel well before you begin.
- Use distilled water. Tap water can carry minerals and microbes that shorten shelf life.
- Choose quality oils. Use fresh, pure essential oils that are safe for skin.
New to castile soap? Read about the benefits of castile soap and other ways to use it with essential oils for natural cleaning.
Safety Tips
- Keep soap out of your eyes. If it gets in, rinse with plenty of cool water.
- Stop using it if you notice redness, itching or a rash.
- For kids ages 2 to 6, use half the essential oil (about 6 drops in the mini bottle) and stick with gentle oils like lavender or tangerine.
- Store all essential oil products out of reach of children.
See my essential oil safety tips for more.
Final Thoughts on Aloe Vera Soap
A splash of aloe vera turns a basic castile soap into a softer, gentler hand wash. Whip up a mini bottle of this lime and aloe foaming soap, then try the scent swaps to find your favorite.
More Aloe Vera Recipes
- Aloe Vera for Skin: Benefits, How to Use It & DIY Recipes
- DIY Aloe and Lavender Hand Gel
- Can You Mix Lavender Oil with Aloe Vera Gel?
- How To Make Aloe Vera Gel Ice Cubes
- Cedarwood Soap for Sensitive Skin
Share on Pinterest
