About Oil Water Lye
About Oil Water Lye
Meet the Owner
Hi, I'm Kyli! I was born and raised in Washington state, and I have always been inspired by the local native plants and ethnobotanical history of the Pacific Northwest. I am so happy to be able to weave that passion into a business that I love. I make soap, and I'm so happy and grateful that people seem to love it almost as much as I do.
I'm based on the Olympic Peninsula, and you might spot me at local markets around the Puget Sound area. Oil Water Lye is a one-woman show - I do everything myself, from crafting and cutting to wrapping and packaging every bar by hand. I'd love to say hi if you see me out there.
About Oil Water Lye
Why Do I Make Soap?
It started during the pandemic. I discovered cold process soapmaking as a way to turn something ordinary - washing your hands - into a small daily luxury. The difference between cheap liquid soap and a well-made artisan bar was so striking, I was immediately hooked.
From there, I started making my own. I wanted bars that were hard and long-lasting, with a lather that felt rich and satisfying - not the soft, mushy, skin-stripping bars I'd always settled for. I also wanted to know exactly what was in them, with no unnecessary fillers or potential irritants.
After testing countless formulas, I landed on a handful of recipes that I truly love - and that my family and friends loved too. I'm so proud to share them with you. I hope they bring a little comfort and joy to your daily routine.
About Oil Water Lye
My Special Formulas
Every oil in my blends is chosen intentionally. I balance them for cleansing strength, bar hardness and longevity, and lather quality - whether that's big and bubbly or dense and nourishing.
I formulate with sensitive skin and noses in mind, so all of my soaps are lightly fragranced. I use natural additives like clays, herbs, and botanicals as colorants, exfoliants, and gentle scents, alongside skin-safe mineral-based colorants where needed.
About Oil Water Lye
My Ingredients
I use raw and organic ingredients as much as possible.
Oils and Butters I use: Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Raw Shea Butter, Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Hempseed Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Lard, and Tallow.
I do not use: Palm Oil, Almond Oil, Soybean Oil, or Canola Oil.
All of my soaps are made with clean mountain groundwater from the Olympic Peninsula. I use high quality food-grade sodium hydroxide lye. After saponification, no lye remains in the finished bar.
About Oil Water Lye
My Packaging
Reducing my environmental footprint matters to me, and packaging is one place I can make a real difference. All packaging is plastic-free. My soap wrappers are 100% recycled paper, and my wax seals are made in-house using pure beeswax and other natural ingredients.
Shipping materials: compostable and recyclable cardboard boxes, dye-free compostable kraft crinkle paper, and acid-free compostable tissue paper. No plastic packaging, shrink wrap, plastic mailers, packing peanuts, or bubble wrap.
If you have ideas on how I can do even better, I'd genuinely love to hear from you.
About Oil Water Lye
In the Community
You can find me at local markets on the Kitsap Peninsula and in the Seattle area. I also partner with local organizations to donate hygeine items to those who need them. To view my upcoming markets & community partners, click the link below.