Natural Soap and Skincare Making Workshops, Somerset

Learn to make natural soap and skincare products from the best! Nic and Ben have been running Boo Cottage Botanicals since 2015 and have a wealth of knowledge. Both with experience in educational backgrounds, Nic & Ben can tailor your workshop to suit you. Learn in our relaxed atmosphere at your own pace.

Having run our hugely popular soap and skincare workshops since 2017, we now offer workshops exclusively for 1:1 or group bookings. We can be flexible and run these at a time that is convenient to you.

Perfect for a relaxed family gathering, or a fun activity for friends.  Why not bring some bubbly or drinks and nibbles to really make an occasion of it! 

How many can you host on a workshop?

We can host up to 6 people in our workshop in West Bagborough, Somerset. If you would prefer, we can come to you, or we can hire a local hall to cater for more participants.

Is there a minimum number for workshops?

No! If you’d like to come for a 1:1 we can arrange that. Make the most of the relaxed, friendly atmosphere and treat yourself to some ‘me time’.

Can workshops be combined?

Make a whole day experience by combining 2 courses. Our courses are designed to fit into half a day. You can combine two courses to have one in the morning and one in the afternoon! Make the most of your travel time to spend a whole day at Boo Cottage Botanicals. Bring a packed lunch along with you to make the most of your day.

Are there choices as to what I can make on a workshop?

Yes! We have LOADS of choices. During each workshop we give you lots of options. For example:

  • Products you choose to make during the balms, bombs & body butter workshop.
  • Ingredients in your base recipe for soap.
  • Essential oil combination you choose for your fragrance.
  • Colour combinations and patterns.
  • Decorative touches like toppings on soaps.

Ok, what happens next? How do I book?

Your first choice is to decide which workshop you’d like to try. Find out more about the workshops we offer below. Then Contact Us to discuss your workshop so we can get you all booked in.

Pink and white swirled soap bars with poppy seeds on whitewashed background

Introductory Soap Making Workshop

Would you love to make your own soap?

  • Maybe you’ve read all about making cold process soap, but are nervous!
  • You want to have a go with an expert to help and guide you before you feel confident having a go at home.

Learn the traditional art of cold process soap making in a relaxed environment with Nic & Ben, our expert tutors.

If you have ever wondered how natural soap was made, then our introductory workshop is the one for you! We have put together this short course to give you an introduction to soap making; both the ingredients and the process involved. This historical process is both scientific and creative. Watch as your soap magically turns from a runny liquid to a hard bar of soap ready for you to use at home.

We have lots of choice of base ingredients, colours and fragrances so everyone's batch is totally unique. We will work with you to create your own essential blend. You can choose to add a colour and can even decorate the top of your soap. Take home your very own batch of cold processed soap ready to cut and cure at home. 

The workshop will run as either a morning session or an afternoon session and will last approximately 3 hrs depending on the number of participants and your creative flair! You will take your soap home with instructions to cut and cure until it is ready to use.

  • Introductory Soap Making Workshop Pricing:

    One:one course: £240

    Bring a friend: £120 each

    Bring 2 friends: £80 each

    Bring 3 or more friends: £60 each

  • What do our students say?

    "Really enjoyed it, Nic & Ben are very welcoming, and are patient and helpful tutors. We were delighted with our handmade soaps."

    Susan

    "I came to a fabulous soap making workshop and made some beautiful soap. It was very enjoyable to see the development from raw ingredients to finished product. I learnt so much. Thank you."

    Felicity

  • During the Soap Making workshop you will:

    • Learn a brief history of soap making
    • Learn about the different soap making techniques available to the DIY soap maker
    • Get to know the characteristics and skin benefits of various plant oils and butters
    • Learn the basics of blending essential oils and blend your own unique scent
    • Make a batch of your own natural soap using the traditional 'cold process' method
Yellow face cream in amber jar with white background

Natural Skincare: Moisturisers and Creams

Are you addicted to buying moisturisers, creams, potions and lotions… only to find they don’t actually work for your skin type?

Learn how to make your own moisturisers and creams with our expert tutors.

During the workshop you will learn how to make natural skin creams and moisturisers using beautiful plant oils and butters that your skin will love.

Learn the theory behind natural emulsifiers, creating stable creams and lotions. We have lots of choice of ingredients and fragrances to really tailor them to your skin type. You will create your very own essential oil blend to add fragrance to your cream.

The workshop can run as either a morning or an afternoon session. It will last approximately 3 hrs depending on the number of participants and your creative flair! You will take your products home at the end of the workshop along with handouts and your notes.

  • Natural Moisturisers & Creams Workshop Pricing:

    One:one course: £300

    Bring a friend: £150 each

    Bring 2 friends: £100 each

    Bring 3 or more friends: £75 each

  • What do our students say?

    "Thank you Nic and Ben for my 3rd workshop with you. Not only informative, but also enjoyable, with a great end product: Jars of hand and face moisturisers. Excellent tuition from Nic - you know you are being led by someone who understands the science of making soaps, moisturisers etc."

    Amanda

    "Did the moisturisers and creams workshop yesterday and made a fabulous hand cream and face
    cream. Really enjoyable morning and I'm very happy with my products - thank you Nic and Ben!"

    Samantha

  • During the Moisturisers workshop you will:

    • Get to know the characteristics of different types of moisturisers
    • Learn how to make a stable emulsion
    • Get to know the characteristics and skin benefits of various plant oils and butters
    • Learn the basics of essential oil blending and create your own unique scents
    • Learn how to check if your product is the appropriate pH and how to alter it
    • Make your own hand / body cream
    • Make your own face cream that you have tailored to your skin type
White bath truffles with dried flower tops on whitewashed wooden background

Natural Skincare: Balms, Bombs & Body Butters

Have fun learning with us in our relaxed friendly atmosphere, with our expert tutors.

If you love using natural products and want to have a go at making your own simple bath and skincare products then this course is for you!

Unleash your creativity with our fun skincare workshop, go away with a beautiful selection of your handmade products.

During the session you will learn how to make bath products, natural balms and body butters using beautiful plant oils that your skin will love. You will get to choose from a number of options and we have lots of choices of fragrance, colours and toppings to make your creations truly unique.

The workshop can run as a morning or an afternoon session. It will last approximately 2 1/2 hrs depending on the number of participants and your creative flair! You will take all of your products home at the end of the workshop.

  • Balms, Bombs & Body Butters Workshop Pricing:

    One:one course: £260

    Bring a friend: £130 each

    Bring 2 friends: £85 each

    Bring 3 or more friends: £65 each

  • What do our students say?

    "I had a fantastic time at the Natural Skincare workshop. It was a small group, so we received loads of attention and advice. I learned so much! Nic and Ben have a wealth of knowledge and are such lovely people."

    Catherine

    "We had an amazing time making lovely hand and body potions. The event was well organised and we were all made to feel welcome. We had lots of fun and enjoyment, many thanks for giving us such a great time."

    Jayne

  • During the Balms & Bombs workshop you will:

    • Get to know the characteristics and skin benefits of various plant oils and butters
    • Learn the basics of essential oil blending and create your own unique scents 
    • Make your own lip balms or balm bars
    • Make your own bath truffles, bath bombs or bath melts
    • Make your own body scrub or body butter
    • Package your goodies at the end of the day to take away
Pink botanical bath soaks in glass jar

Bespoke soap and skincare workshops, Somerset

  • You’re not a total beginner… you’ve made soap before, but it hasn’t turned out as you’d hoped.
  • You joined a course, but you didn’t leave feeling confident or were left with further questions.
  • You need some help coming up with a really great recipe.
  • You learn best when it’s a 1:1 session rather than a group.

Or you're the self-sufficient type...

  • You milk your own goats and you’d love to use the excess milk to make soap.
  • You keep own bees and you’d love to use the wax or honey to make skincare.
  • You grow lots of herbs and want to use them in soap.

Whatever the reasons you have for wanting to make your own products, we'd love to help you.

During all workshops, light refreshments will be provided; please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

All workshops are suitable for minimum age 18 or 16 if accompanied by an adult.

Please see our terms and conditions for cancellation policy.