There are basically three ways to make soap.
One of the more common methods is named “Melt and Pour” and you can buy kits to make cute soap shapes with your kids BUT you do not control the ingredients which go into the soap.
The other two methods are “hot process” and “cold process.”
The cold process method takes the most time, but it is undoubtedly the best method for producing the highest quality soaps. This is the method I use in making my soaps.
Cold process soaps are made using a combination of oils or fats and lye. Lye sounds a little scary, but all the caustic qualities of the lye are removed during the process of saponification. When the lye interacts with the oils or fats, it creates glycerine. The type of oils and fats used make a huge difference in the quality of the lather as well as the hardness of the bar.
My soaps are made with the Cold Process method and I use only vegetable oils.
I do not use artificial colors or fragrances. They are synthetic chemicals and I don’t want them on my skin nor do I want them to pollute the environment around me. I use essential oils, botanicals and natural, organic colorants (IF I add color to my soaps).
I do not use Palm Oil in my soaps even though it is a popular ingredient to create a harder bar. I prefer to support conservation ethics which do not encourage clearance of native vegetation or habitat destruction for native species of flora and fauna.
In summary, the best soap for our skin and our environment is a handmade, all natural cold process soap.
Once you’ve tried one of these soaps, you’ll think twice about ‘store-bought’ bars.
So do yourself and your world a big favor and start using REAL soap. Your skin will love you for it.
