Is anyone else washing their hands much more than usual? I am for sure. With all the sicknesses and germs going around, hand washing is a must. But with lots of hand washing comes dry and even cracked hands! The dry winter weather doesn’t help either. That is where a nice hand scrub followed by some DIY foaming hand soap can come in handy! This simple hand soap recipe for Moisturizing Foaming Hand Soap is really nice for this time of year. It’s easy to make and is gentle yet effective. Plus it has a few drops of essential oils for added scent and healing properties.
Moisturizing Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

Making your own foaming hand soap is a simple, affordable, and healthy alternative to store-bought versions. It saves money since a bottle of Castile soap lasts for months and each refill only costs pennies compared to the several dollars you’d spend at the store. You also have complete control over the ingredients, avoiding parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh additives that can irritate skin. By reusing foaming dispensers, you reduce plastic waste and make an eco-friendly choice. Plus, DIY soap is fully customizable—you can create blends with essential oils for different scents and benefits, whether calming lavender, uplifting citrus, or cleansing tea tree. Finally, homemade soap tends to be gentler on the skin, especially if you add nourishing oils like vitamin E for extra moisture.
Foaming Hand Soap DIY Ingredients:
With just a few simple ingredients you can make your own homemade foaming hand soap.
- Lavender Castile Soap (I prefer Dr Bronner’s Brand)
- Young Living Lavender Essential Oil
- Young Living Orange Essential Oil
- Water (Distilled water is best but tap water will work fine too)
- Vitamin E oil (optional)
If you need essential oils, I am a distributor. Check me out on Instagram.
You can reuse an empty foaming soap dispenser or order one on Amazon through my affiliate link. The pump on the foaming dispenser is what actually makes the foam but it is also important to use the right soap to water ratio to get a hand soap with a rich lather.
The lavender essential oil that I use for this recipe is very soothing and calming for the skin making it the perfect essential oil to add to this Moisturizing Hand Soap. And the orange essential oil got added because, who doesn’t like the fresh smell of orange?! Always test essential oils on a small patch of skin first to check for sensitivity, and consult a healthcare provider with any concerns.

How To Make DIY Foam Hand Soap:
Grab your liquid soap ingredients and head to the kitchen counter. If you want this to work as a foaming hand soap recipe, you must have an empty foaming soap container because the secret to foaming is actually in the pump. If the foaming part does not matter to you, you can use a regular soap pump or make a mason jar soap dispenser.
Start by filling your soap container 1/4 of the way up with your liquid Castile soap (about 3-4 tablespoons). There are many different scents that you can choose. I chose Lavender since we are making a Lavender and Orange soap but you can choose whichever scent you would like. They even offer an unscented liquid Castile soap. Once you have the Castile soap poured in, add your essential oils. Drop in 7 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Orange. Next, fill the rest of the bottle up with distilled water. Pour gently so it doesn’t foam up while mixing. Don’t overfill. Leave a little space at the top so you can add the pump and have room to shake. Place the top on and give a little shake! It’s ready to use. Wash your hands with warm water for best foaming action.
To add a little extra moisture to your hand soap, add 3 drops of Vitamin E oil. The Vitamin E oil is very moisturizing for skin as well as having many benefits. If you don’t have that you can use sweet almond oil or olive oil instead but use 10 drops because it is not as thick and rich. Don’t forget to lightly shake.

Variations
This natural foaming hand soap recipe is 3 parts water to 1 part liquid Castile soap (which is very concentrated). If you’d like your lather to be even more rich and thick you can add less water. This is a great way to get more use out of your Castile soap and make it even more cost effective.
I choose Lavender essential oil because of its healing properties and orange essential oil for its uplifting scent. Another great combination to try is tea tree and lemon essential oil which is thought to be great for stimulating the immune system.
Tip for freshness: If you’re using tap water, make smaller batches and use them up within a couple of weeks. Distilled water extends the shelf life.
Conclusion
rying this DIY foaming hand soap recipe is a simple way to bring a little more health, savings, and creativity into your daily routine. With just a few natural ingredients, you can make a gentle, effective soap that’s better for your skin, the planet, and your budget. Plus, customizing the scent with essential oils makes each batch feel special, turning an everyday task like handwashing into a small act of self-care. Once you see how easy and satisfying it is, you may never want to go back to store-bought soap again.
Making your own own foaming soap from liquid hand soap is fun and then you know you have all natural ingredients. Have you ever made your own hand soap? This DIY moisturizing foaming hand soap recipe is quick and easy and I just love the way it smells. Let us know how you like it!
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