How is soap made?
Soap is the product of a chemical reaction between fats and oils (an acid) and a solution of sodium hyrdroxide and water (a base). This reaction is called saponification. The reaction yields 3 parts soap and 1 part glycerin. The production of glycerin is one of the major benefits that handmade soap has over ‘detergent bars’. Glycerin is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture from it’s surrounding creating a hyrdrating affect. Traditionally, soap factories sold the glycerin from their soap production to cosmetic companies who would put it in facial products and makeup. Often times a soap company would make more money selling glycerin than they would selling their soap! So the idea that soap is too harsh and/or drying to use on the face probably came from using soap stripped of it’s glycerin, or from a synthetic soap or detergent bar made from chemical foaming agents. Luckily, there is a labeling law that makes it easy to distinguish the two, any cleansing bar that is made of synt
Our soaps are made by the cold process method. The 3 basic oils used by all soapmakers are olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil. Other oils can be added for lathering, extra moisturizing, and other skin benefits. The oils(which are acidic)are combined with a sodium hydroxide(lye) solution(a strong base). After vigorous mixing a chemical reaction, called saponification occurs, and the mixture starts to get thick. It is then poured into a wooden mold, cover with blankets to keep the chemical reaction going, and left for 24 hours. It is then cut into bars and allowed to cure for at least three weeks. During this cure time the soap gets milder and harder, which makes it last longer. A byproduct of the soapmaking reaction is glycerin, which remains in handmade soaps and also helps moisturize by drawing moisture from the air to your skin.
