Liquid glycerin is available at your local food store, but you can’t just open the bottle and use the liquid as soap. You can use liquid glycerin to make your own bar of glycerin soap, though.

Hot process: similar but speeds up saponification by using heat. Melt and pour: not technically making soap, but it is great for beginners; uses a pre-made base that doesn’t require handling lye.

Soap-making kits are great for beginners because they come with all the products needed. We spoke to 2 professional soap makers for the best beginner tips and soap-making kits.

Learn how to make this lavender and rosemary soap recipe. Making DIY glycerin soap is an excellent project for the whole family to enjoy.

A melt-and-pour version. The key to easy soap-making is using glycerin melt and pour soap base. If we had to break it down we are not making soap from scratch, but rather soap bars.

In Soapmaking 101, students learn soap history and the technique to make a one-pound bar of soap. In the 102 class, students learn to use clays and herbs to customize their soaps.

You can use any kind of soap, but we found glycerin-based soaps work the best with really pretty results. Adding the powdered milk gives the soap a bit of substance, but isn't an essential ingredient.