When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Walk into any beauty store with artisan soap and you may wonder what it would be like to craft your own.

Have you ever picked up a bar of store-bought soap, read the ingredients, and wondered what half of them even are? If you’re trying to avoid synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or harsh detergents—or ...

It’s possible to make bar soap at home using ingredients such as lye and oils. Following a recipe and knowing which precautions to take can help make bar soap making a fun and generally safe activity.