10 Best Soapmaking Courses and Certifications Online

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Close up iPhone showing Udemy application and laptop with notebookSoapmaking is a popular hobby and a lucrative business venture for many. The internet has made it easier to learn the craft with online courses that provide step-by-step instructions and practical tips. With an abundance of options available, it can be challenging to find the best soapmaking courses online that suit your needs. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key features to look for when selecting an online soapmaking course. We will explore the various factors that contribute to a high-quality online learning experience, including the course structure, instructor credentials, user reviews, and pricing.

Here’s a look at the Best Soapmaking Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Soapmaking Courses and Certifications Online

1. How To Make Soap – Homemade Soap Making for Beginners by Shona O’Connor, Howorama Inc. (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

The course “How To Make Soap – Homemade Soap Making for Beginners” is taught by Shona O’Connor of Howorama Inc. It teaches the cold process soapmaking method for making soap at home. The course covers information about oils, butters, and fragrances, enabling learners to create their own recipes for handmade soap. The course also discusses how to use regular kitchen equipment and inexpensive ingredients available at local supermarkets and health food stores. Learners will see how to color soap with natural and cosmetic colors and learn techniques for making shampoo, shaving, and exfoliating soap.

The course focuses on the cold process soapmaking method and does not cover melt and pour or hot process soapmaking. The course is not suitable for children to do, as lye in cold process soapmaking is caustic and can burn the skin. The course content includes an introduction, step-by-step demonstration of making basic soap, what is needed to start, soapmaking process, creating unique recipes, making a loaf of soap, soapmaking tips, making exfoliating soap, shampoo soap, shaving soap, rebatching soap, storing and packaging soap, troubleshooting, bonus resources, and additional resources.

The course provides learners with the knowledge to make beautiful, natural handmade soap from scratch using ingredients of their choice. The course teaches learners to use household or dollar store items as molds, resulting in minimal startup costs. The course also provides techniques for coloring soap and creating unique swirl designs. Learners will also learn to make shampoo, shaving, and exfoliating soap. Troubleshooting tips are provided for learners who may experience problems while making their soap. The course instructor is available in the discussion area to help with any issues learners may encounter.

2. Cold Process Soap Making #2 – Natural Colours & Ingredients by Shona O’Connor, Howorama Inc. (Udemy)

This course titled “Cold Process Soap Making #2 – Natural Colours & Ingredients” is instructed by Shona O’Connor from Howorama Inc. The course aims to expand your soap making skills by using alternative techniques and natural ingredients. The course has a short description as well as a long description.

The long description of the course includes different methods and techniques that help in making natural soaps with a variety of ingredients. The course covers methods for avoiding scorching, burning, or discoloration in goat’s milk soap. It also includes two different methods for infusing oil with plants. Additionally, tips for using honey in soaps and a range of exfoliating ingredients are also provided. The course showcases how to create moisturizing bars of soap using various natural oils and butters. Recipes are shared that allow students to create their own soaps in any shape or size.

The course also covers natural colorants such as clays, plant-based colorants, and pigments. Students can learn how to create natural-looking soap with subtle to more pronounced colors. The course is divided into several sections, including an introduction, what you need to get started, troubleshooting, and a bonus section. The course also covers topics like Castille Soap, Orange Soap with Buttermilk and Calendula Infusion, Coffee Soap, Goat’s Milk with Lavender, Honey and Oatmeal Soap, Loofah Soap, Indigo Ombre Soap, Rose Soap Coloured with Clay, and how to make your soap look professional. Lastly, the course showcases how to adapt the provided recipes to fit your own molds.

3. How to Make Melt & Pour Soap – Beginners Step by Step Guide by Shona O’Connor, Howorama Inc. (Udemy)

The course “How to Make Melt & Pour Soap – Beginners Step by Step Guide” is designed to teach individuals how to make visually stunning soaps using pre-made bases, colors, and fragrances. The course is suitable for those who want to learn a new hobby or make gifts for friends and family. The instructors for the course are Shona O’Connor and Howorama Inc.

Throughout the course, individuals will be able to create different types of soaps using a variety of techniques. This includes natural soaps and eye-catching soaps that are suitable for both children and adults. The course also provides information on oils, butters, fragrances, and colors, which can be used to add enriching and moisturizing qualities to the soaps. Participants will also learn how to add natural ingredients to create exfoliating properties.

In addition to learning the difference between essential and fragrance oils, the course also shares tips for saving money on molds and equipment. The end result of the course is to enable individuals to make products that are so amazing that friends and family will be asking for them. The course also includes packaging ideas for creating fabulous gifts.

The course content is divided into different sections including Introduction, What You Need To Get Started, Ingredients, Making a Basic Bar of Soap, Additives, Creating Stunning Effects in Your Soap, Embedding, Sugar Scrub Bars, Troubleshooting, Wrapping and Storing Your Soap, and a Bonus Section. The course provides a step-by-step guide to making beautiful soaps that are both fun and easy to create.

4. Cold Process Soap making #3 – Soap Swirling Made Easy by Shona O’Connor, Howorama Inc. (Udemy)

The “Cold Process Soap making #3 – Soap Swirling Made Easy” course teaches intermediate colour techniques to create stunning soaps using the Cold Process method. The course emphasizes the secrets to successfully using swirling techniques in soap making, including preventing acceleration and controlling trace. Additionally, the course teaches how to make colours stand out and prevent the formation of soda ash.

The course covers various swirling techniques, including the Drop Swirl, In the Pot Swirl, Taiwan Swirl, Tiger Swirl, Funnel Swirl, Column Swirl, and Peacock Swirl. Participants will receive downloadable plans for the instructor’s personal swirling tools for effortless swirl designs.

The course is divided into sections, including Introduction, Getting the Most out of this Course, How to Achieve Successful Swirling, Making the Swirling Tools, Making Your Soap Stand out and Look More Stunning, and Troubleshooting. A bonus section is also included.

5. Natural Soap Bars From Scratch For Beginners by Christina Goncalves (Udemy)

The “Natural Soap Bars From Scratch For Beginners” course, instructed by Christina Goncalves, is geared towards those who want to learn how to make natural and vegan-friendly soap bars from scratch. The course covers everything beginners need to know, including advanced techniques and soap recipes. The course includes five soap recipes, four demonstrations of different soap techniques, and equips students with the knowledge to formulate their own soap recipes. The course balances theory and demonstration and assumes no prior knowledge of soap-making.

The course covers lye safety, a concern for many beginners, and provides enough knowledge and demonstrations to make students feel confident enough to attempt soap-making on their own. The course is structured to answer all possible questions beginners may have about soap ingredients, equipment, safety, method, recipe formulation, etc. Optional quizzes and practical challenges are included to reinforce understanding of the material.

The course is comprehensive and is designed to be the only soap-making course beginners will need, unless they are interested in advanced designs and swirling techniques. Upon completing the course, most beginners will be able to make their own soap, including beautiful soaps for gifts or for selling. The course content includes course overview, ingredients and safety, tools and equipment, method (cold-process), cutting and curing soap bars, soap recipe formulation, troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions. The course concludes with the finish line, encouraging students to make their first batch of soap after the third video lecture.

6. Soap Making; How To Make Soap; Making Soap As A Business by Crystal Tummala (Udemy)

The Soap Making course, offered by Pursuing Wisdom Academy, is designed for individuals interested in learning the art of soap making, whether as a hobby or as a business. The course is led by instructor Crystal Tummala, who has created the course to appeal to a broad audience in 180 countries. The course is divided into several sections that cover essential topics such as soap making terms, supplies used in soap making, cold process soap making, hot process soap making, melt and pour soap making, re-batching, essential oils, and soap coloring. Additionally, students will learn about the business considerations of starting a soap making business.

Enrolling in the course offers several benefits. Firstly, there is a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, students will receive lifetime access to the course and updates. The course will be taught by a full-time instructor, and any questions can be placed in the Q&A section, where they will be answered. Upon completion of the course, students will earn a certificate of completion from Pursuing Wisdom Academy.

The Soap Making course is an opportunity for individuals to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a soap making business or to fulfill a hobby. By enrolling in the course, students will learn about the soap making process, business considerations, and gain the confidence and knowledge to pursue their goals. With the course available in over 180 countries, individuals from around the world can take advantage of the opportunity to learn from an experienced instructor and earn a certificate of completion.

7. How to Make Soap at Home A-Z by Ansa Smit (Udemy)

This course titled “How to Make Soap at Home A-Z” is instructed by Ansa Smit and covers everything needed to successfully make soap at home from scratch. The course starts with the basics of soap making including safety measures and choosing the best ingredients for the desired type of soap. Recipe formulation is detailed, enabling the creation of unique recipes and adaptation of existing ones. A free online Soap/Lye Calculator is also demonstrated to make inventory management and product costing easier. Labeling requirements and laws from different countries are also covered along with various other ingredients, colorants, fragrances, and soap making methods. Troubleshooting is addressed in detail to identify and avoid problems in the future. The bonus section includes tutorials on DIY soap molds and soap cutters, along with information on choosing the appropriate equipment. The ultimate goal of the course is to provide the knowledge to launch a business and make soap making as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The course is divided into Introduction, Content Summary, Soap Making Demonstration, Soap Recipe Formulation, Different Soap Making Methods, Colors, Fragrances and Exfoliators, Trouble Shooting, Bonus Material, and Epilogue sections.

8. Soap Made Simple! Handcrafting Cold Process Soap by Grace McMahon (Udemy)

The “Soap Made Simple! Handcrafting Cold Process Soap” course, instructed by Grace McMahon, teaches beginners how to make handcrafted cold process soap using a simple four-ingredient recipe. The course covers various soap variations, from plain and unscented to scented and colored soaps with intricate designs. In the course, two batches of cold process soap will be made using traditional and room temperature methods, and equipment, tools, safety procedures, selecting molds, and packaging will be discussed.

The course begins with a welcome and introduction, followed by an overview of the ingredients needed for the basic soap recipe. Next, students will learn about the necessary supplies and equipment, including additional soapmaking tools, herbs and botanicals, micas (pigments), and scents. The course also covers soap molds of various shapes, sizes, and uses.

Students will then learn how to make a plain loaf of soap, followed by the process of unmolding, cutting, and beveling freshly made soap. The course also includes making a batch of cold process soap using the room temperature method, and the cutting of this batch. Finally, the course concludes with a discussion on packaging ideas.

9. Learn To Make Organic Handmade Soaps by Ritu Gaurav (Udemy)

The Learn To Make Organic Handmade Soaps course, instructed by Ritu Gaurav, offers the opportunity to learn the art of herbal soap making. This course teaches the complex methods of Hot Process, Cold Process, and Melt & Pour Soaps, providing a comprehensive understanding of natural soap making.

Participants will learn how to create natural handcrafted Soaps, Body Bars, and more. The knowledge gained from this workshop can be utilized to start a small-scale business with high revenue or to create customized beauty soap for personal use.

The course covers a wide range of topics such as the history and science of soap making, safety precautions, and oil properties and usage. Participants will also learn to create vegan soaps, essential oil soaps, organic soaps, and fruit soaps. Additionally, they will learn to make soaps for different skin types such as oily, normal, and dry skin.

This course is suitable for beginners and intermediate learners, and its content and sections include the Introduction & History of Soap Making, The Science of Soap Making, Method of Soap Making, Properties of Oils, Creating Soap Recipes, and The Process of Soap Making.

10. Make your own Olive Shea Butter Soap by Anastasia Donecka (Udemy)

The course “Make your own Olive Shea Butter Soap” is offered by instructor Anastasia Donecka. Participants will learn how to make natural olive soap for personal use or as gifts for friends and family. The course involves preparing a kilogram of soap using a hot process method, with tips and tricks provided by the instructor. The soap will be ready for use in the same evening or the next morning.

The course is comprised of six lessons and a bonus lesson on preparing a detoxifying body scrub with recipe calculation and step-by-step process demonstration. PDF instructions and descriptions are also included. A basic ingredients and equipment list is available for free, and participants will need to gather all necessary items before starting the course. The course will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete.

The course begins with an introduction, followed by a practical part on the soapmaking process. The bonus lesson covers the process for preparing a body scrub.