Do you make Goat’s Milk Soap?

“Do you make Goat’s Milk Soap?” 



For years, I experimented with every natural ingredient under the sun in my soapmaking journey. From homemade botanical infusions to exotic butters, if it could be saponified, I gave it a go. And as I can clearly remember, back in 2011, I made a few batches of Goat’s Milk Soap when I’d moved into our first, tiny, freezing factory space at Fenton Barns in East Lothian. 

Goat’s Milk Soap is a favourite for many artisan soapmakers—but there’s a couple of reasons why I decided it just wasn’t for us. 
 


The Pros of Goat’s Milk Soap


Goat’s milk is widely celebrated for its skin-loving properties, and I can understand why it has such a loyal following. When made properly, it can be a luxurious addition to a well curated product range.

Here’s what it has going for it: 


• 
Rich in Nutrients – Goat’s milk is packed with vitamins A, D, and B6, which can help nourish the skin.
• Lactic Acid Exfoliation – The natural lactic acid in the milk provides a gentle exfoliation, helping to remove dead skin cells for a brighter complexion.
• Creamy Lather – Thanks to the high-fat content, soaps made with goat’s milk tend to have a rich, smooth lather that many find irresistible. In fact, as I remember, it had a particularly smooth feel to it.
• Soothing for Sensitive Skin – People prone to eczema and dryness often swear by goat’s milk for its mild, nourishing properties. 
 


These are the Pros, now for the Cons
.


The Cons of Goat’s Milk Soap

While it’s got its devoted fans, Goat’s Milk Soap comes with a few issues that ultimately made me decide to stop using it. 
 

• It’s a Pain to Work With – Unlike water-based soap recipes, working with milk requires an entirely different set of rules. If the lye solution gets too hot, you end up with a scorched, foul-smelling mess. Keep it too cold, and it won’t dissolve properly. I had to freeze it first which then became a faff. 
• The Smell – Now, this is purely personal, but I really don’t like the smell of goat’s milk in soap. Some people describe it as “earthy” or “natural,” but to me, it’s just… off. Even with added essential oils, that undertone lingers, and no amount of lavender or citrus could convince me otherwise. One of my friends said it was horrible, which really killed the vibe!
• Shorter Shelf Life – Because goat’s milk is a natural dairy product, soaps made with it tend to have a shorter shelf life compared to purely plant-based bars. Over time, they can develop a sour scent if not used quickly enough.
• Not Vegan-Friendly – Many of my customers prefer plant-based skincare, and a milk-based soap simply doesn’t fit with the ethos of using purely botanical ingredients. 
 

So, after three or four batches and several attempts to convince myself that the smell wasn’t too bad, I decided goat’s milk soap wasn’t for me.  

There are plenty of natural, plant-based alternatives that provide beautiful creamy lathers and gentle skincare benefits without the drawbacks.  



What I Use Instead… After many years of experimentation

Olive Oil – Luxuriously creamy and nourishing for all skin types

• Highly Moisturising – Produces a luxuriously gentle, conditioning bar that’s perfect for sensitive skin.
• Mild & Hypoallergenic – Ideal for baby soaps and those with sensitive or dry skin.
• Soft Lather – Creates a creamy, rather than bubbly, lather. This can be balanced with coconut or castor oil.
• Long Cure Time – Pure Castile Soap (100% olive oil) needs an extended cure time (4-6 months) to fully harden.

This is another story altogether which again, I’ll cover in a future blog. 
 


Coconut Oil 

• Cleansing Power – Coconut oil creates a high-lather, deeply cleansing soap that removes dirt and oils effectively.
• Hardness – Contributes to a firm, long-lasting bar that doesn’t dissolve too quickly in the shower.
• Bubbly Lather – Produces large, fluffy bubbles, making it an essential ingredient for an effective lather. It must be well balanced with the other ingredients to avoid having too strong a detergent effect as we don’t want to strip away the protective oil layer on the skin. This is a major cause of eczema related conditions, which I’ll cover in another blog.
  

Shea Butter - Rich, creamy and luxurious

• Intensely Nourishing – Adds a rich, creamy feel and helps lock in moisture.
• Contributes to Hardness – Improves bar longevity, making soap more durable in the shower.
• Mild & Skin-Loving – Great for dry, mature, or sensitive skin due to its high unsaponifiable content (vitamins and fatty acids that remain after saponification).
• Lather Stabiliser – Helps improve the creaminess of lather when blended with other oils. I admit to absolutely loving the addition of Shea Butter to soap. 

Eco-Sustainable Palm Oil 

• Hardness & Longevity – Palm oil contributes to a firm, long-lasting bar that doesn’t turn mushy in the soap dish.
• Balanced Lather – Enhances lather stability when combined with coconut oil and other oils.
• Mild on Skin – Less drying than coconut oil, making it a good base for all skin types.
• Sustainable Alternative – Ethically sourced palm oil is preferred to avoid deforestation and environmental damage.

So these are my thoughts on Goat’s Milk Soap, which definitely has its place in the world of skincare. It won’t be making a comeback in my workshop, but if you love it, fantastic!  

Alternatively, if you’re after natural, luxurious soaps without the farmyard undertones, there are plenty of other great options to explore. 
 


What’s your take on Goat’s Milk Soap?

Love it or loathe it?

Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Tommy Crooks, Founder 

The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company.