Sweet almond oil - softens the skin and contains vitamins and protein

Aloe Vera gel - healing extract that heals burns and soothes the skin

Althaea root (marshmallow root) - skin softener

Anise oil - folklore states that it attracts fish, hence it makes "fishing soap"

Apricot - skin softening, use fresh or dried in soap

Avocados - refreshing for the skin as well as softening

Benzoin absolute - as as a fixative for fragrances in soaps - use sparingly as some people react to this

Borax - can be used sparingly in soap

Calendula flowers - good for dry skin and is a skin softener

Carrots - high in vitamin A and E as well as giving a bright orange color to your soap

Cinnamon - makes the soap dark and spicy scented. It's antiseptic properties add longevity to the lather but use sparingly as it can irritate the skin. Use in grounded form.

Clay - red, green, beige ~ used to draw out oil from the skin

Cloves - are antiseptic but they can be irritating to the skin ~ use sparingly

Cocoa butter - emollient and soothing to the skin

Coffee - used to absorb odors from the skin

Cornmeal - absorbs oils and has mild abrasive qualities. It helps unclog the pores.

Cucumbers - liquefy and add to your soap. It acts as a mild cleanser and astringent.

Ginger - warms the skin ~ use sparingly

Glycerin - sweet syrupy byproduct of commercial soap making, it's a soothing emollient.

Honey - emollient and excellent soap additive. In CP soap, honey will cause the soap to heat up considerable in the mold so it's advisable that this type of soap not be wrapped in cloth or blanket.

Kelp - rich in iodine, vitamins and minerals. Algae adds a slippery feel and a mild fishy scent to the soap. Use in powdered form.

Kiwi - contains protein and mineral salts and are rich in vitamins. Liquify to put in the soap.

Lanolin - wax taken from sheep's wool and is great for moisturizing and softening the skin. It does contain a common skin contact allergen and that can cause problems for certain allergy prone individuals.

Lavender flowers - help to hold the scent of lavender scented soaps. Grind as finely as possible.

Lemons - use in juice form (fresh or reconstituted). Also lemon peel powder or grated peels work for an abrasive quality. The oil in the peel is antibacterial in nature and peels contain high levels of vitamin C.

Lettuce - has many vitamins and makes a very mild soap. Use in puree d form.

Milk (cow or goat) - instant powder may be used as well as fresh. It makes a mild bar. Goats milk contains caprylic acid which aids in reducing the alkalinity of soap.

Myrrh - a gum derived from a tree native to the Middle East. It has been valued for years for it's antibacterial qualities. Use in powdered form.

Nutmeg - adds a zesty scent to lemon essential oil in soaps

Oatmeal - one of the most common additives, it is used to soothe sensitive or irritated skin. Use long cooking or rolled oats for soap. Quick cooking or instant oats may thicken your soap too much. Grind the oats into small pieces.

Pectin - useful for making shampoos, it will keep the liquid from separating

Peruvian balsam - thick sticky liquid with a warm fragrance and a common ingredient for cosmetics

Pumice - ground volcanic rock, it varies in color from white to almost black and is used in soaps as an abrasive. Use only in finely ground form.

Rosemary leaves - very fragrant and mildly astringent effect on the skin. Use in powdered form.

Rosewater - gives soap a gentle fragrance and has skin softening properties

Rosin - helps bars of soap retain their shape and produces large amounts of lather. Mix powder with vegetable oil before adding to soap.

Sage - a pungent spice which has antibacterial and astringent qualities. Use in powdered form.

Sand - used as an abrasive in soap

Strawberries - contain several acids including citric, tartaric and salicylic and ascorbic that make them effective as skin tighteners. They are also high in vitamin C and have been used cosmetically as a skin whitener. Use fresh or frozen (discard the syrup).

Sweet birch oil - has been used for years in Northern Europe to soothe skin afflictions such as eczema

Tea tree oil - is a healing oil derived from the tree Melaleuca Alternifolia

Vitamin E oil - used to soothe the skin and prevent wrinkles

Wheat germ - mildly abrasive germ and emollient oil are often used in facial and body soaps. Kernel contains oil which is good for the skin.

Witch hazel - mildly astringent liquid distilled from the small tree of the same name. it cleanses the skin and closes the pores.