DIY Coconut Oil Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap

Are you aware that over cleansing and over-sanitizing can take a serious  toll on your skin – particularly your hands? I wash my hands a lot during the day, and I feel like the moisture is zapped from my skin. It’s incredibly easy (and inexpensive) to make your own antimicrobial foaming hand soap that will do a great job at keeping you germ-free without destroying your protective skin barrier.

Since this homemade soap doesn’t contain any of the harsh surfactants that strip your skin of moisture, it actually nourishes skin and helps prevent the splitting and cracking that can ironically increase your chances of getting an infection. And adding coconut oil helps moisturize my hands every time I wash them.

Read on to learn how to make your own antimicrobial foaming hand soap with coconut oil!

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Antibacterial Coconut Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co

” data-medium-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-143×200.jpg” data-large-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-41100″ src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg” alt=”Antibacterial Coconut Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co” width=”650″ height=”910″ data-lazy-srcset=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg 650w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-143×200.jpg 143w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-142×200.jpg 142w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px” data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=”This DIY antibacterial foaming hand soap uses soothing coconut oil and fresh-smelling essential oils.” data-jpibfi-post-url=”https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/” data-jpibfi-post-title=”DIY Coconut Oil Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap” data-jpibfi-src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg”>

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Antibacterial Coconut Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co

” data-medium-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-143×200.jpg” data-large-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-41100″ src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg” alt=”Antibacterial Coconut Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co” width=”650″ height=”910″ srcset=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg 650w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-143×200.jpg 143w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2-142×200.jpg 142w” sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px” data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=”This DIY antibacterial foaming hand soap uses soothing coconut oil and fresh-smelling essential oils.” data-jpibfi-post-url=”https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/” data-jpibfi-post-title=”DIY Coconut Oil Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap” data-jpibfi-src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-2.jpg”>

How to make Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap

According to the CDC, soap is more effective at removing certain types of germs than alcohol-based hand sanitizers. You see, soap has two layers: one that’s attracted to water and one that’s attracted to fat. Meanwhile viruses have an outer layer of protein and fat surrounding them. When viruses come in contact with soap, their fat coating gets ripped off, destroying them in the process.

And it doesn’t matter what kind of soap you use. As long as it has suds, both homemade and store-bought soap work against viruses, without the need to add any additional antimicrobial agents such as alcohol.

While some nasty ingredients, such as triclosan, have been banned from store-bought soap, that still doesn’t mean that traditional antibacterial hand soap isn’t chock full of chemicals that can affect your health. To stay safe, I try to avoid all commercial antibacterial soap if I can help it.  

Instead, I reach for natural castile soap. I love making my own bath and body products, so I use castile soap for practically everything! Combining it with the coconut oil and a blend of germ-fighting essential oils means I can have soft, clean hands all winter long.

Plus, it foams up just like those store bought hand-soaps that are usually chock full of chemicals. 

<img data-attachment-id="41101" data-permalink="https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/antibacterial-coconut-hand-soap/" data-orig-file="https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg" data-orig-size="650,464" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D610","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1412352904","copyright":"","focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.02","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co" data-image-description="

DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co

” data-medium-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-200×143.jpg” data-large-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-41101″ src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg” alt=”DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co” width=”650″ height=”464″ data-lazy-srcset=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg 650w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-200×142.jpg 200w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px” data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=”This DIY antibacterial foaming hand soap uses soothing coconut oil and fresh-smelling essential oils.” data-jpibfi-post-url=”https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/” data-jpibfi-post-title=”DIY Coconut Oil Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap” data-jpibfi-src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg”>

<img data-attachment-id="41101" data-permalink="https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/antibacterial-coconut-hand-soap/" data-orig-file="https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg" data-orig-size="650,464" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D610","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1412352904","copyright":"","focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.02","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co" data-image-description="

DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co

” data-medium-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-200×143.jpg” data-large-file=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg” class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-41101″ src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg” alt=”DIY Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap | HelloGlow.co” width=”650″ height=”464″ srcset=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg 650w, https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap-200×142.jpg 200w” sizes=”(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px” data-jpibfi-post-excerpt=”This DIY antibacterial foaming hand soap uses soothing coconut oil and fresh-smelling essential oils.” data-jpibfi-post-url=”https://helloglow.co/diy-coconut-oil-antibacterial-foaming-hand-soap/” data-jpibfi-post-title=”DIY Coconut Oil Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap” data-jpibfi-src=”https://helloglow.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Antibacterial-Coconut-Hand-Soap.jpg”>

Aside from the castile soap, the ingredients I use are pretty interchangeable.

Fractionated coconut oil keeps my hands soft and locks in moisture. But unlike regular coconut oil, it doesn’t solidify in cooler weather, so it never causes issues with my soap. You can substitute jojoba, rosehip, sweet almond, or any other carrier oil that stays liquid at room temperature.

Essential oils add an extra layer of antimicrobial protection without drying out hands. You can use whichever oils you like and have at home, they don’t necessarily need to be “antibacterial” (the soap does most of the heavy lifting in this recipe). But since I don’t always wash my hands as thoroughly as I should, I love the peace of mind of essential oils.

And water simply dilutes your foaming hand soap so it makes plenty of suds and you get more bang for your buck.

Benefits of essential oils:

Note: If you have sensitive skin, use less essential oils. Some of the oils can be irritating to sensitive skin. The coconut oil acts as a carrier to dilute the essential oils, but use caution as some oils can sensitize the skin over time.

FAQs

Can I use regular virgin coconut oil instead of fractionated coconut oil?

No, not really. Regular coconut oil tends to harden at room temperature, which can result in clumpy soap and clog the nozzle of your bottle. Fractionated coconut oil, on the other hand, stays liquid at all temperatures so you never have to worry about clumping.

Can jojoba oil be used in place of the coconut oil?

Yes! While coconut oil does have some antibacterial properties, the soap itself is the main germ-fighter in this recipe. Feel free to swap any liquid carrier oil you like in place of the coconut oil.

Where can I find new glass or plastic foaming soap dispensers?

Honestly, I just saved a few plastic foaming soap dispensers and repurposed them. But you can find a bunch of different options online, such as these glass dispensers and these plastic ones.

Is it okay to store your soap in plastic since it contains essential oils?

You should never store undiluted essential oils in plastic as they are strong enough to break down the plastic and affect the quality of the oil. But the essential oils in this recipe are so diluted that you shouldn’t run into any issues.

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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