Most recipes use either Palm or Coconut Oils, or both. These can serve as the foundation to your recipe whether you are making soaps or lotions. Both are solid at room temperature but can be easily scooped or melted in a hot water bath. Palm oil creates a hard bar of soap and helps other oils saponify. Coconut oil also creates a hard bar of soap and is good for dry or itchy skin. It also produces a light fluffy lather.